Hampton Roads/Norfolk/Newport News NE Regional Service

Yep. $100m to bypass Acca. In 2004, the price tag for an Acca bypass was $56m for the bypass and $7m for a new platform at Staples Mill. This fact, and the current price of ~$100m are confirmed again from the very helpful Acca Bypass Answer from Richmond.com's "Why, Richmond, why?" column, which goes on to say:

As recently as 2009, Virginia is applying for about $590 million in federal stimulus money to make an interrelated series of rail improvements in the Richmond area -- which includes steps needed for the development of a high-speed rail corridor, according to the Times-Dispatch. A key part of the state’s package is an estimated $90 million to $100 million worth of rail improvements to hasten the passage of Amtrak trains through Acca Yard.

So that's the trouble getting to Main St. Once there, there's still the question of how to turn a train (which probably can't be done at the platform given how busy the corridor is and how few the bypass options are).

Who owns the Bellewood Subdivision? Does the state own it as part of the otherwise-abandoned Virginia section of the S Line? From this SEHSR track diagram, there's obviously a lot of daunting work to get all the way from Main Street to Petersburg and beyond to South Collier where the to Raleigh S-Line goes off as a "pure" passenger opportuntity, but there seems like plenty of space on the south side of the James River at which to turn a train in a yard or siding.

And thanks to Richmond.com for the Aerial of Acca Yard. It says 50 to 55 trains per day pass through and another 10 are formed there. Seems like it needs a bypass.

Arlington wrote:Who owns the Bellewood Subdivision? Does the state own it as part of the otherwise-abandoned Virginia section of the S Line? From this SEHSR track diagram, there's obviously a lot of daunting work to get all the way from Main Street to Petersburg and beyond to South Collier where the to Raleigh S-Line goes off as a "pure" passenger opportuntity, but there seems like plenty of space on the south side of the James River at which to turn a train in a yard or siding.

I'm pretty sure the Bellwood (I've been mistakenly adding an extra "e" in the name) is still CSX property. Although I'm sure they'd be happy to sell if for pretty penny to the commonwealth (while retaining freight rights).

There has been at least one detailed proposal for an Acca bypass (can't find it at the moment), but nothing has happened (while the price continues to tick upwards). An Acca bypass would pay immediate benefits--it would speed up the Newport News trains (it's a slow slog from Main St. to Staples Mill), and, now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure that CSX has conditioned extension of the Richmond regionals to Main St. on a bypass.

Speaking of "Why, Richmond, why?", they have a story up right now on Main St. Station, touching on current developments, as well as on it's modern history:

This week we give an update on the happenings around Main Street Station and the renovation of the train shed.

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According to Jeannie Welliver, project management developer for Main Street Station, "the future tenants are still being aligned, approved, etc but the shed will definitely serve as a tourist center and multimodal transportation center."

*******************************

I recommend reading the comments to the story, especially those from Doug Riddell, a former Amtrak engineer and railroad writer.

gokeefe wrote:

Arlington wrote:July will see a 10 minute savings between Richmond and Norfolk, permitting the AM northbound Norfolk departure to go from 4:50am to 5:00am and still keep the same arrival in DC.

This profile of Thelma Drake (VA's point person for passenger rail) says:

while people might grumble about the 4:50 a.m. boarding time [at Norfolk for the weekday train to Washington], here's a little bit of good news - beginning in July, Drake said, the trains will begin traveling at 79 mph, up from 65 mph, and the boarding time will be moved up to 5 a.m.

Reading between the lines, I take Ms Drake to be referring to 79 mph service Petersburg-Suffolk 52 miles of straight track.

52 miles at 65 miles per hour takes 48 minutes
52 miles at 79 miles per hour takes 40 minutes

That, and a little more through the straight sections at the southern end, should get you all 10 minutes.

That's probably worth another 2-3% in ridership growth this year alone.

Let's see how this pans out. Effective next week, 84 and 174 are swapping slots. 84 will originate at NFK at 6:10am while 174 originates at RVR.

ThirdRail7 wrote:Let's see how this pans out. Effective next week, 84 and 174 are swapping slots. 84 will originate at NFK at 6:10am while 174 originates at RVR.

A simple change that is long overdue.

This is clearly a more civilized departure from NFK and Petersburg, and even a bit more useful for a day trip tip Richmond. Is the theory that not enough particularly needed to get to ALX at 9:15 or WAS at 9:44? (And that 45 mins later is OK?)

it kind of begs two questions:
Why not like this from Day One?
Why not start BOTH trains in the tidewater? (Sending another out to NFK or NPN the night before, too, obviously)

If it were as simple as another layover at NFK or NPN, I'd have thought VADRPT would have come up with one by now. Or played NS@NFK off against CSX@NPN and sent the train (there still will be two "idling" overnight at RVR, one of which could start elsewhere) to wherever it got the best deal.

On day one, the only state supported train from Richmond to Washington was the one leaving Staples Mill around 7 am and DRPT (and perhaps Amtrak) insisited that only that train could originate in Norfolk. The business market to northern Virginia was emphasized because that was the only segment for which the predawn departure made any sense. Now all of the regional trains in Virginia are state supported so perhaps there is more flexibilty.

The next step should be to have Saturday trains 195 and 71 swap slots. That would produce much more attractive timing for Norfolk than the current schedule which puts train 71 into Norfolk shortly before midnight.

It's interesting to think that these kinds of decisions are going to look like peanuts in a few years when Virginia adds another half dozen trains from various parts of the State.

Worried that it may be a long a few years. The 2016 Improvement Program from the Commonwealth Transportation Board doesn't include funds to operate a second train to Norfolk until fiscal year 2020. http://www.drpt.virginia.gov/media/1636 ... 7-2015.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Train three to Norfolk seems to fall beyond the five year horizon of the program.

JimB wrote:Worried that it may be a long a few years. The 2016 Improvement Program from the Commonwealth Transportation Board doesn't include funds to operate a second train to Norfolk until fiscal year 2020. http://www.drpt.virginia.gov/media/1636 ... 7-2015.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Train three to Norfolk seems to fall beyond the five year horizon of the program.

Very true, however operations to/from Roanoke and Bristol may begin during that time frame. Knoxville seems to be a potential service as well. If the trains are revenue positive without subsidy, as seems possible, then crossing the state line is a moot point.

gokeefe wrote:

JimB wrote:Worried that it may be a long a few years. The 2016 Improvement Program from the Commonwealth Transportation Board doesn't include funds to operate a second train to Norfolk until fiscal year 2020. http://www.drpt.virginia.gov/media/1636 ... 7-2015.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Train three to Norfolk seems to fall beyond the five year horizon of the program.

Very true, however operations to/from Roanoke and Bristol may begin during that time frame. Knoxville seems to be a potential service as well. If the trains are revenue positive without subsidy, as seems possible, then crossing the state line is a moot point.

I wouldn't say moot, because that's a lot of train-miles and a suspicious landlord. I'll save further comment for the Lynchburg/Roanoke/Bristol thread though.

Has Virginia given any thought to working with NC for a DC - Richmond - Raleigh train?

So today's 95 had a Viewliner bag bringing up the rear through Williamsburg. Equipment move or did that train get baggage service?

Matt Johnson wrote:So today's 95 had a Viewliner bag bringing up the rear through Williamsburg. Equipment move or did that train get baggage service?

There is special RORO bike service south of PHL to Richmond for some big bike whoopdeedoo in Richmond (which we either discussed here upthread or in the Lynchbuger thread )I suspect they tack it on a it goes south from PHL and nip it off as that same trainset passes through northbound. Here are the details from the special site http://www.amtrak.com/ucibikes

Bring Your Bike
The Commonwealth of Virginia is pleased to offer an enhanced walk-up checked bike service on select trains and at select stations from September 15 - 30. If you're traveling on trains 65, 66, 67, 83, 94, 95, 99 or 194 from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wilmington, Washington, DC, or Alexandria to Richmond (Staples Mill and Main Street stations), your bike can come too.

Enhanced Walk-Up Checked Bike Service Availability
Origin Station
Philadelphia - 30th Street Station, PA
Baltimore - Penn Station, MD
Wilmington, DE
Washington - Union Station, DC
Alexandria, VA

Destination Station
Richmond - Staples Mill, VA
Richmond - Main Street, VA

Trains
65, 66, 67, 83, 94, 95, 99, 194

Reservations Required
Reservations are required for bicycles. Reserve a space for your bike for just $25 beginning August 3 by selecting "Add Bike" when you book your train travel. Reserve early, as space is limited.

I was on #95 on Monday and noticed the baggage car at the rear of the train. I didn't observe any activity in the car at NYP, DC, or Richmond Staples Mill.

We departed Richmond Main Street Station ten minutes late but arrived Williamsburg six minutes early. We were really moving and met only #66 between Main Street and Williamsburg.

Update on work at Acca Yard that slows trips between Staples Mill and Broad St Richmond ( and, by extension, all trips to Newport News). Full article here:
$132 million reworking of CSX's Acca yard proceeding step by step

a $132 million reconfiguration of the yard that started in November and is scheduled to be finished in the spring of 2018, along with other related projects, aims to change that.
“Acca yard’s original main line configuration was that the main lines went straight down the middle of the yard and that made for extremely slow going, including Amtrak trains,” said Peter Burrus, the chief of rail at the state Department of Rail and Public Transportation who worked at CSX for 25 years.
“By creating this bypass, they can get around Acca yard much faster, without the other freight involvement.”
The state will contribute $117 million of the price tag, which also will include double tracking along 10 miles of railroad between Carson and Reams near Petersburg; and three new “crossovers,” which allow trains to switch between tracks at Westover Hills, Walmsley and Colonial Heights.

Arlington wrote:Update on work at Acca Yard that slows trips between Staples Mill and [Main] St Richmond (and, by extension, all trips to Newport News). Full article here:
$132 million reworking of CSX's Acca yard proceeding step by step

. . . started in November and is scheduled to be finished in the spring of 2018, along with other related projects . . .
. . .
“By creating this bypass, they can get around Acca yard much faster, without the other freight involvement.”

The state will contribute $117 million . . . include double tracking along 10 miles of railroad . . . and three new “crossovers”. . .

That's a real good news link to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, thanks.

I perked up on these points, too:

The state also negotiated with CSX for two additional round-trip passenger trains to operate between Norfolk and Richmond and one additional train between Lynchburg and Washington.

. . . trains currently must reduce speed to about 25 mph when they go through the yard.
When the project is finished, that speed should increase to 40 mph.

Nobody in this article says so, but I expect these projects could shave several minutes off the trip times for the Newport News and Norfolk trains, the Palmetto, Meteor, Star, Carolinian, and Auto Train.

And it seems to indicate the possibility of one or two more Norfolk trains starting in late 2018, probably depending on the results for Virginia's other trains by then.