Rebecca Rowe, Associate Director of the Economic Development and Community Vitality Division and Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is our guest blogger today. Rebecca’s love language is ice cream.
A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to take the train from Richmond to Northern Virginia for the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference (VAGHC). It was my first train trip in decades, and I was immediately hooked. Now whenever I travel I check Amtrak first to see if the train is an option, and I have created long weekend itineraries with friends just to have an excuse to ride the rails!
Why the Train?
Cost and Convenience – Taking the train round trip for the VAGHC was less expensive than it would have been to park a car at the hotel for the length of the visit, not to mention the cost of gas and tolls. Riding the train also meant that I didn’t have to deal with traffic or parking. I could sleep, I could read, I could get up and walk around, and I could work. And don’t get me started on how much easier it is than flying!
The Romance – Pulling into the historic train stations, the sound of the whistle, watching the world go by.
Accessibility – Train stations are transit hubs and located in commercial centers and downtowns. You get off the train and are able to walk to your hotel or museums or theatres or parks. On a recent trip, I also brought my bike making for a fully car free experience that also included a ferry ride. And the train has accommodation for all kinds of travelers – quiet cars for those who need them, seating areas with room for wheelchairs, and ramps to ease getting off and on the train.
Main Streets
What does this have to do with Virginia Main Street? Because seven Advancing Virginia Main Street communities have active Amtrak stations right in their downtowns! From Richmond, you can take a quick hop and a jump up to Ashland or Fredericksburg. Or, head up to Union Station in Washington DC to change lines that will take you through Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Danville or Staunton, Clifton Forge, and Roanoke. You can also take east/west routes to Williamsburg and Newport News.
With stations conveniently located right downtown, travelers can disembark and walk to any number of attractions, shops, and restaurants. In Culpeper, for example, from the station it’s just a block up to the Suites at 249, which sits right at the top of the Davis Street shopping district. In Danville, the station is immediately adjacent to the Danville Science Center and just steps from Ballad Brewery and several restaurants.
And, you can’t talk about trains and train stations in Virginia Main Streets without a stop in Ashland, where the train tracks come right down the middle of Main Street, and the town has embraced their whistle stop identity! Here, you can celebrate all things train with Ashland Train Day or visit downtown for the holiday special, Light up the Tracks. There are train-themed murals and businesses such as the Caboose Market and Cafe or the Iron Horse Restaurant. This town is a must visit for train enthusiasts!
All aboard for a train trip through Virginia Main Streets!
Images 1-3: Courtesy of Rebecca Rowe
Image 4: Culpeper, courtesy of Livability.com
Image 5: Danville, courtesy of Visit SoSi
Image 6: Ashland, courtesy of Downtown Ashland Association
Virginia Main Street 