RICHMOND — A Northern Virginia commuter rail line has given its first approval to changes that would allow Amtrak to operate a second daily passenger train between Lynchburg and Washington, D.C.
The Virginia Railway Express board altered an agreement it has with CSX Corp. and the state of Virginia, clearing two time slots in VRE’s pact so they can be used by two other trains. One would operate between Lynchburg and Washington, and the other between Richmond and Washington.
The changes mean “we are one step closer” to additional train service starting next fall, said Del. Shannon Valentine, D-Lynchburg.
Mark Roeber, spokesman for VRE, said the board’s action on Friday meant negotiations could begin on contracts necessary to operate the trains.
Five entities would be involved in the contracts: CSX, Norfolk Southern Corp., Amtrak, VRE and Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
The hard part, Roeber said, might be working out schedules that fit into Amtrak’s operations, because the Lynchburg and Washington trains would need to match schedules with others serving the Northeast corridor.
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