History
Prior to VRE trains providing commuter service to the area, the only passenger rail service was provided by Amtrak with their Crescent service that operated between New Orleans, LA and New York, NY. Amtrak inherited this train from the Southern Railway, a predecessor to Norfolk Southern and original owner of the line south of Alexandria, VA. The Crescent stopped at Alexandria and Manassas stations on the line, as it still does today.
In 1984, planning began for a commuter rail service for the area and 8 years later after many new stations were constructed, Virginia Railway Express began operating trains on the line. In 2009 Amtrak extended their Northeast Regional service to Lynchburg, giving stations of Manassas and Burke Centre additional service.
Read more about this topic: Manassas Line
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“Revolutions are the periods of history when individuals count most.”
—Norman Mailer (b. 1923)
“It’s nice to be a part of history but people should get it right. I may not be perfect, but I’m bloody close.”
—John Lydon (formerly Johnny Rotten)
“Jesus Christ belonged to the true race of the prophets. He saw with an open eye the mystery of the soul. Drawn by its severe harmony, ravished with its beauty, he lived in it, and had his being there. Alone in all history he estimated the greatness of man.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)