The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is pleased to celebrate Ashland Train Day by bringing passengers to the “Center of the Universe” on board our daily Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service. With departures south to Richmond, Williamsburg, Newport News, and Norfolk and north to Alexandria, Washington, DC, and points further north including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City, traveling on board Amtrak Virginia is the easiest way to visit Ashland.
The number of Amtrak Virginia passengers choosing Ashland has grown recently with 38,689 boarding or alighting in historic downtown Ashland last year. That was up from 33,785 in 2023, and through the efforts of VPRA and our partners, we are working to ensure that number continues to grow.
“The railroad is such a big part of Ashland. The tracks literally run right through the Center of the Universe,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. “The VPRA team looks forward to participating in Ashland Train Day, and our sponsorship is the perfect opportunity to promote our Amtrak Virginia service because as the railroad is a huge part of Ashland’s history, we are committed to being a vital part of its future.”
Who is VPRA?
In 2020 the Virginia General Assembly, seeking a meaningful solution to the state’s ever-growing traffic problem, created the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and tasked it with managing and expanding the state’s Amtrak Virginia service as well as implementing the Commonwealth’s $5 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative. TRV is changing the future of rail transportation in Virginia by acquiring railroad right-of-way, increasing rail capacity, and reworking passenger and freight operations to improve reliability and increase rail service in Virginia. The long-term goal is to separate freight and passenger rail services to improve the on-time performance of both. Work has already begun on TRV, and once Phase 2 projects are complete, VPRA will fund a total of 13 daily Amtrak Virginia roundtrips, up from the current eight, along four corridors between Washington, DC and Roanoke, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond, with some trains making stops in Ashland.
Amtrak Virginia Service
Our state-supported Amtrak Virginia service travels through the Commonwealth and offers a one-seat ride from Ashland through to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. Last year 1.389 million passengers traveled on Amtrak Virginia, an increase of 4.8% over 2023 and setting a record for ridership on the service.
To provide the best experience for passengers on board, VPRA works closely with Amtrak as operator of our state-supported service. As a part of that, VPRA recently partnered with the Amtrak Food & Beverage Working Group (FBWG) to offer Virginia products in our café cars. The FBWG called upon Amtrak to establish a formal process for states to sell locally-sourced products on their respective state-supported routes, and Virginia was selected as a pilot state.
As a result, last summer we began offering a local craft beer – Brewski -- for sale in the café cars of our Amtrak Virginia trains. Brewski is a product of the Center of the Universe Brewing Company located in the heart of historic Ashland next to the railroad tracks. The addition of Brewski to the menu aids Virginia in meeting the FBWG goals to cultivate partnerships with local producers, boost the local food and beverage industry, and improve the overall customer experience on trains. So, the next time you’re on board, support an Ashland-based small business and order a Brewski!
Long Bridge
In addition to Amtrak Virginia, the team at VPRA is also working hard on its Transforming Rail initiative. The largest of TRV’s projects, Long Bridge is a new two-track railroad bridge across the Potomac River that will connect Arlington, Virginia with Washington, DC allowing for the expansion of rail service in the state to meet future demand. The new 2-track Long Bridge will be built next to the current 2-track Long Bridge, a 119-year old river crossing that currently operates at 98% capacity during peak periods. The existing Long Bridge will remain and will be dedicated solely to freight rail.
The new Long Bridge, which VPRA is funding and building, will be strategically placed between the existing Long Bridge and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Yellow Line bridge and will relieve one of the worst rail traffic bottlenecks on the East Coast. The project encompasses approximately 1.8 miles of improvements including seven rail bridges and pedestrian bridges over land, the Potomac River, and related railroad infrastructure and will be dedicated solely to passenger rail.
TRV’s portfolio of projects in Northern Virginia includes additional tracks, sidings, rail bridges, and a bypass structure. The plans are ambitious but necessary. The planned passenger rail improvements will extend along the corridor from L’Enfant just outside of Washington Union Station, across the Potomac River, and south to Spotsylvania County and will allow VPRA to expand rail service in the state.
VPRA has made great strides in developing a state-supported passenger rail service that works for Virginians. It will take cars off our roads, protect our environment, and provide an option for those who cannot drive due to accessibility issues. Through our current Amtrak Virginia service and our TRV expansion projects, rail will soon be top-of-mind for those traveling to and through the Commonwealth.
Enter our raffle for your chance to win TWO Amtrak tickets to anywhere along the East Coast! Whether you're dreaming of a scenic getaway, a city escape, or a coastal retreat, crack open a can of Center of the Universe Brewski and climb on board! Your ticket to ride is just a lucky draw away.
🎟 Your golden ticket includes:
🚆 Two Amtrak tickets valid for any East Coast destination
🍻 $25 Center of the Universe Brewing Company Gift Card
🧢 5 Brewski Hats
📅 Redeemable for up to one year from the issue date
⚠️ Some blackout dates apply (mostly federal holidays)
Don’t miss your chance to embark on the journey of a lifetime—grab your raffle tickets now before this opportunity leaves the station! 🚉💨
Raffle proceeds benefit Downtown Ashland Association’s non-profit mission.
The winner will receive an email from Downtown Ashland Association on Friday, April 25.