Manassas Line | |
---|---|
VRE train in Manassas station.
|
|
Overview | |
Type | Commuter rail line |
System | Virginia Railway Express |
Locale | Washington, D.C., Fairfax County, Virginia, Prince William County, Virginia |
Termini |
Union Station (Washington, D.C.) Bristow, VA |
Stations | 10 |
Operation | |
Opened | June 22, 1992 |
Owner | Norfolk Southern Railway, CSX Transportation |
Operator(s) | Virginia Railway Express |
Character | grade-separated, Underground and above ground |
Technical | |
Line length | 35 miles (56 km) |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The Manassas Line is a Virginia Railway Express commuter line that extends from Washington, D.C. to Bristow, Virginia. The first of VRE's two lines, with service beginning on June 22, 1992, the line operates on tracks owned by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway.
The line south of Alexandria, Virginia, was once owned by Southern Railway, whose Crescent train stopped at the line's Alexandria and Manassas stations. When U.S. intercity passenger service was taken over by Amtrak, the new railroad continued the Crescent service between New Orleans and New York City.
In 1984, planning began for a commuter rail service for the area. Eight years later, after many new stations were constructed, Virginia Railway Express began operating trains on the line.
In 2009, Amtrak extended its Northeast Regional service south to Lynchburg, bringing more trains to Manassas and Burke Centre.
In 2017, VRE began a $2.8 million study of expansion to the Broad Run station and layover facility that would allow additional Manassas Line service.