Norfolk, VA Station Grand Opening

[SANSR]

The link is a flyer announcing the grand opening of the new Norfolk, VA station facility. It has been interesting to observe the construction process over the last several months. Heading east on I-264 coming out of Downtown Norfolk, the view of the facility location is unimpeded. I have a once-a-week personal time event that requires that route so I have had the opportunity to watch the entire process from track improvements thru building ground breaking, seeing the skeleton of the builidng take shape, and appreciating what appears to be possibly an upper level glass observation area take form. Not sure about this, but it looks like it could be something similar. Then again, it could merely be a sleek looking portal for natural light, etc. In any event, it is a nice new upgrade to the surrouding area and adds to the continuing improvement of Norfolk as a whole.

You're Invited! Grand Opening of the Norfolk Amtrak Station.pdf

 

[Anderson]

*groans*
And I'll be in Florida at that time. Why...

 

[railiner]

*groans*

And I'll be in Florida at that time. Why...

I don't know...."just to get some sand in your shoes?

(Couldn't resist using that line from the song "Orange Blossom Special"...

 

[afigg]

The grand opening ceremonies for the Norfolk station was held yesterday. Virginian Pilot news article:Amtrak Station officially opens in Norfolk. 9 photos in the article link, not one of the interior of the station? Anyway, NFK had 39,181 passengers from December 12 through end of September, so it is off to a good start for a station with a 5 AM departure.

Excerpt from the article which had some info on how much VA DRPT is now paying for the Regional service:

The state is working on bringing a second and third daily train to Norfolk, but there is no timetable on when that will happen.

Extending one of Amtrak's Virginia lines from Richmond to Norfolk cost $114 million in state money. Since Oct. 1, the state has been responsible for paying for its six regional trains, including two to Newport News. With the end of federal subsidies for those six trains, the state expects to pay about $10 million a year in capital and operating expenses for the services, said Thelma Drake, director of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation.