Amtrak back on track after 'Pause for Progress' impacted train access to D.C.’s Union Station

Amtrak trains at Staples Mill Station in Henrico County resumed normal schedules this week, after 10 days of interruption both in and out of Washington Union Station.

During a construction period that began after the final trains operated Oct. 16, crews upgraded critical track infrastructure at 'A-Interlocking' in the First Street Tunnel, just south of Washington's Union Station.

Calling the work a “Pause for Progress,” Amtrak said the stoppage of train travel in that tunnel into Union Station allowed crews to safely complete work that Amtrak said will improve the reliability and performance of the rail network.

Crews replaced aging track components, installed 550 tons of ballast, replaced 1,000 feet of rail and 215 ties, and installed 2,500 feet of signal and electrical cable, among other improvements.

During the construction period, some Amtrak Virginia trains operated only as far north as Alexandria, where passengers could transfer to buses serving Washington's Union Station or use Metro to reach other destinations in the capital. Amtrak also provided express bus service between Washington and several Virginia locations, including Henrico's Staples Mill and Richmond's Main Street stations.

Amtrak explained that during that construction period, travelers would be facing significant service reductions or cancellations for trains operating into and out of Washington, D.C. heading north and south.

Just before 7 a.m. on Monday morning outside the Staples Mill Station, more than a dozen people boarded a Washington, D.C.-bound bus as the moon shone to the south.

Inside the station, the ticket agent sat peacefully and uninterruptedly writing a document in longhand. Only two passengers sat in the waiting room as the sun rose. One slept.

The waiting room train schedule update screen said that the next northbound departure also would be a bus at 9:45 a.m.

A robotic recording announced: “Attention Amtrak customers, from October 16 through October 26, service at this station will be impacted as Amtrak completes critical upgrades near Washington, D.C. Some trains will operate on modified routes, and others will be canceled. Customers traveling during this period should review updated schedules at Amtrak.com or contact customer care at 1-800-USA-RAIL. Thank you for your service as we make improvements to deliver safer more reliable service.”  

Although train operations resumed Oct. 26, some of the express bus service introduced during the construction period will continue, according to Amtrak and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.

Staples Mill is Amtrak's busiest station in the Southeast, according to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. The station served 464,881 passengers during fiscal year 2024, according to Amtrak.

Construction scheduling changes

Train travel this year from Staples Mill Station, especially for early morning Washington, D.C.-bound commuters, has been impacted by Virginia Passenger Rail Authority construction projects.

VPRA has acquired nearly 500 miles of railroad right-of-way across Virginia as part of an effort to expand passenger rail capacity, reduce congestion and improve reliability. VPRA also is constructing an additional new rail bridge alongside the existing Long Bridge over the Potomac River.

On the Long Bridge project webpage, VPRA indicates the construction will increase rail capacity and enable more frequent passenger rail service with better on-time reliability. The Long Bridge project, with a combined budget of approximately $2.7 billion, is expected to be completed in 2030.

That project has been blacking out train travel over the existing Long Bridge for five daytime hours to allow for construction.

During the 10-day “Pause for Progress” this month, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Long Bridge construction crews saw an opportunity to work longer hours to maximize an open construction window.

VPRA sponsors six daily Amtrak Virginia round trips connecting Washington with Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Roanoke and intermediate stations. Amtrak operates the trains under the state-supported service program.

VPRA ultimately plans to expand its state-supported service to 13 daily round trips following completion of the Long Bridge project, according to Executive Director DJ Stadtler.

“When Long Bridge is done, there'll be three from Norfolk, three from Newport News, still two from Roanoke, and then five that will start in Richmond, Main Street,” he said during VPRA's summer board meeting. “So, every hour during the day, you'll have a train coming through Richmond.”

Changes, investment and input

Two VPRA projects in Henrico County also aim to improve service for riders.

A Staples Mill station project will focus on improvements outside the station, replacing the platforms and canopy and ensuring the route between the station and trains is accessible. VPRA does not own the building and will not be making any updates to it.

 VPRA acquired the platforms and adjacent land at Staples Mill Station, to maintain the property and ensure compliance with federal laws, including ADA standards. VPRA received a $5.8 million federal grant in 2024 to help fund improvements at Staples Mill Station. The agency's fiscal 2026 budget documents list the overall project budget at approximately $12.2 million, with substantial completion planned for fiscal year 2028.

The Richmond Layover Facility-Fulton Yard project was fully funded this year by various state and federal sources at $80 million. The project’s full scope includes the planning, design, permitting, and construction of a layover facility for the storage and light servicing of Amtrak trains serving Main Street Station and Staples Mill.

The facility is intended to reduce unnecessary "deadhead" movements of empty Amtrak trains between Main Street and Staples Mill stations, easing congestion around Acca Yard and improving operational efficiency.

In August, Amtrak announced a $2.05 billion federal grant to acquire up to 43 additional trainsets for state-supported passenger rail service nationwide, including routes serving Virginia. The additional equipment will supplement Amtrak's existing order of 83 Airo trainsets, which are being introduced gradually across the country.

Amtrak's initial order of 83 Airo trainsets is intended to modernize passenger rail service across multiple routes nationwide, including Amtrak Virginia. VPRA expects the new equipment to support its planned expansion of state-supported passenger rail service. The Airo trainsets will eliminate the need for engine changes in Washington, D.C., according to officials.

Airo trains also feature improved passenger comforts include ergonomic seating, large windows, enhanced lighting, and digital information systems.

“We're excited about that. They really look nice,” Stadtler said.

The Airo equipment will be delivered gradually. Residents can expect to see a mix of the current trainsets and new Airo equipment as more trainsets are produced, tested and commissioned to revenue service.

The first Airo trainsets entered passenger service in the Pacific Northwest in September. Amtrak expects to introduce the equipment on its Northeast Regional route in late 2027, with additional deployments planned in subsequent years.

Public input opportunities

There are also two ways to give input on rail developments statewide and beyond.

The public can weigh in on the Virginia Statewide Rail Plan until Nov. 5.

And the Amtrak Board of Directors is requesting the public’s input by Oct. 30 on Amtrak management's proposed framework to transform Amtrak’s corporate structure.

Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.