Construction at LYH preparing for the new Regional

[wayman]

Garland Harper, stationmaster at Lynchburg (and Charlottesville) and railroad photographer, has started an album documenting the several major construction projects which just got underway at Lynchburg's Kemper Street Station. Both the platform and the "office car track" siding where the train will overnight are being replaced, in preparation for the new Regional train which will extend south to and overnight at Lynchburg starting in October. His album, which will likely keep growing as improvements continue, is here.

The rail on the Kemper Street Station siding, until yesterday, dated to 1912! (I've never seen rail dated like that before, but then I don't think I've ever looked for a date like that before either.)

 

[Rafi]

Great link, Will; thanks for posting it. I'll be tracking it weekly! I have to admit I'm a little sad to see the old office car track go, even if it is to be replaced with a better rail. The model railroader in me says, "use it! It'll be a fun ride!" And the pragmatist in me says, "we don't want to scare people away."

Rafi

 

[Acela150]

Where are these NE Regional train scheduled to stop? Lynchburg to???

Stephen

 

[wayman]

Where are these NE Regional train scheduled to stop? Lynchburg to???
Stephen

From Boston to Washington, it's a regular NEC Regional. Then Alexandria, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg--I'm pretty sure every station served by the Crescent will also be served by this train. I've heard other towns like Orange and Amherst may eventually lobby to become stations, but that's off in the future.

 

[acelafan]

Garland Harper, stationmaster at Lynchburg (and Charlottesville) and railroad photographer, has started an album documenting the several major construction projects which just got underway at Lynchburg's Kemper Street Station. Both the platform and the "office car track" siding where the train will overnight are being replaced, in preparation for the new Regional train which will extend south to and overnight at Lynchburg starting in October.

Great pics! Any word if the construction will install high-level platforms or will they still be at ground level with new concrete? I wasn't sure if ADA-compliant requirements dictate high level platforms for station renovations.

 

[RTOlson]

A lot of the new ADA platforms seem to be 8 inches above the rail grade. That is, according to an Amtrak spokeswoman, a low-level platform.

I'm looking forward to checking out these construction updates.

 

[Rafi]

I'm pretty sure every station served by the Crescent will also be served by this train. I've heard other towns like Orange and Amherst may eventually lobby to become stations, but that's off in the future.

Almost. Virginia got Amtrak to make an additional stop at Burke Center in northern VA, which is currently a VRE station. Cities like Orange and Amherst are dying for stops, though, and yes, it may come down the road, especially if the DC-LYH-Roanoke stretch becomes something of a Piedmont-like corridor. Gordonsville, for that matter, has been lobbying for a train to make a stop between Culpeper and Charlottesville as well, but that would require a trip on the incredibly slow (but interesting ride) Buckinham Branch, which is not in Amtrak's best interest for a timely train.

Rafi

 

[Philzy]

Any chance anyone knows when the actual train schedules will be loaded for sale? I would love to buy a ticket on the first one since I'm living in philadelphia half of the time now and would love to visit the fam in Charlottesville by train!

 

[Rafi]

Any chance anyone knows when the actual train schedules will be loaded for sale?

Sometime before 12:01 AM, October 1.

 

[Philzy]

Any chance anyone knows when the actual train schedules will be loaded for sale?

Sometime before 12:01 AM, October 1.

lovely. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

 

[cpamtfan]

The oldest rail I've seen still around was from 1893 ! I believe the tracks east of Ronkonkuma on the Main Line are almost a hundred years old ! Luckily (or unluckily :lol: ) they don't go very fast (only about forty mph, and there are plenty of straight sections of tracks!

cpamtfan-Peter

 

[LYH Boy]

Grew up in Lynchburg in the late '40's and '50's. The office car track always had a baggage car on it and sometimes a box car or RPO car. Even after Amtrak took over from SR there still seemed to be an old SR baggage car there on my visits back. Of course the station used to have two covered platforms and an elevated walkway over the tracks to the middle platform. Since the station used to be the whole building, you'd have to carry your unchecked luggage up the stairs to the walkway. It was not always easy. N&W Durham branch had a track where all the new buildings are in the photos but its long gone along with Lynchburg Union Station.

 

[KayBee]

Any chance anyone knows when the actual train schedules will be loaded for sale?

Sometime before 12:01 AM, October 1.

The website is now showing trains 176 northbound and 171 southbound from/to Lynchburg on October 1st.

I am already booked on the first new train out! :lol: