Support this website by joining the Silver Rails TrainWeb Club for as little as $1 per month. Click here for info.



This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/varail to TrainWeb.US/varail.

Central Virginia Railfan Page

Amtrak Service


Sign my guestbook while you're here.

Trains 19 and 20 Crescent

Train #20 departs Charlottesville for New York and intermediate points, daily at 6:44 AM.
Train #19 departs Charlottesville for Atlanta, New Orleans and intermediate points daily at 9:37 PM. See full schedule for details.

The Crescent has carried two Viewliner sleepers since April, 1996. The remainder of the consist is a mixture of Heritage and Amfleet equipment. Power is provided by a mixture of P40s, P42s and an occasional F40.


Trains 50 and 51 Cardinal

Train #51 departs Charlottesville for Chicago and intermediate points, Sun, Wed, Fri at 2:05PM.
Train #50 departs Charlottesville for Washington and intermediate points, Sun, Wed, Fri at 5:36 PM. See full schedule for more details.


A Thruway bus provides a connection from Charlottesville to Richmond.

The Cardinal was converted to a bilevel consist in September 1995. This train often ferries equipment deadheading to or from the Amtrak shops at Beech Grove. The Cardinal also carries private cars quite frequently, including CSX business cars for the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. The Cardinal also has the distinction of being the only Amtrak train still operated with freight road crews. Train and engine crew changes are made in Clifton Forge and engineers change in Charlottesville. As of June 1, 1997, the Cardinal received a diner and a second sleeper. At that time the F40s were replaced by a single P42-9BWH.


A note on the Charlottesville station.

Work has begun on a complete renovation of Union Station, which has served the Southern Railway since the 1880s. Trains of the C&O also called here, in addition to the main C&O station on Water Street. Amtrak dedicated the newly enlarged and renovated former REA and baggage facility on February 9, 1999. The main building will be converted to entertainment use. ISTEA funds are being used for sitework, new platforms and trackside canopies.
Thruway Bus and Other Virginia Services

Amtrak/Greyhound Thruway buses now serve Charlottesville station, connecting with trains at Washington Union Station. The buses serve Dulles Airport and Warrenton as intermediate stops.

Additional Amtrak trains operate via Richmond, connecting to the northeast and points south. Click here for details.




Return to Central Virginia Railfan Page or to a specific area below
Introduction | Central Virginia Map | Statewide Map | What's New | Line summaries | Central Virginia Rail News | News back issues | Railroad Radio Sound Files | Structures | Central Va Rail Pictures
Page maintained by Paul A. Wilson/pawilson@starpower.net. Your comments are welcome
Page last updated November 28, 1998.

Copyright © 1996-1998 by Paul A. Wilson
ad pos61 ad pos63
ad pos62 ad pos64



Support this website by joining the Silver Rails TrainWeb Club for as little as $1 per month. Click here for info.