Recent Blog Posts
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- Trains, Bicycles, and Scooters -- Oh My! Using Shared Mobility Devices to Complete Your VRE Trip
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VRE’s rail lines are a huge benefit to commuters across Northern Virginia and the D.C. area. But, as great as they are, the “first” and “last” mile of one’s commute can sometimes be a challenge since not all of our stations are within a comfortable or convenient walking distance of one’s origination or destination. Of course, there are bus services, shuttles, Metro, and shared ride car services. However, here's an option that's good for you: there are several new opportunities for commuters who would like to use a bicycle or e-scooter once they get off the train.
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- Swampoodle
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What is a Swampoodle? No, it is not a wet dog as the name implies. Rather, it is the location of an Irish community that once resided where Union Station now stands.
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- Rippon and the Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
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Recent construction at the Rippon station to allow public access to a wildlife refuge has been completed. The Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge, which is adjacent to this VRE station, is a National Wildlife Refuge established with the purpose to protect the features of a contiguous wetlands area.
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- The Circus Train
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Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, step right up and witness the final bow to what was once the greatest ride on Earth! The Circus Train! The RBBX circus trains were more than one mile in length and consisted of 60 railroad cars, which is the equivalent of 120 trucks.
- Types of Common Rail Systems
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Given rail transport's tremendous efficiency and cost effectiveness, there are many different forms of rail in use today. Ranging from small to large, they all serve a basic purpose: to move people and freight. Here is a basic overview of the railroad industry's main components.
- Rail Jargon 101
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See definitions for ballast, cab, continuous rail, and more.
- Bell Versus Horn
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Two very symbolic and perhaps widely known components of the locomotive are the bell and the horn. Both are vital safety features, however, the bell's use predates the locomotive to the days of horse-drawn street cars and carriages.
- Station Histories
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Railroad and Civil War history surround you as you wait for your train.
- The Benefits of VRE - Infographic
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Check out our info graphic that illustrates VRE's role in congestion relief.
- The Juice Train
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Originally a single, insulated boxcar that carried orange juice in bulk once a week from Florida to Kearney, N.J., the Juice Train expanded quickly.
- History of the Railroader's Timepiece
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Keeping time on the railroad began as an imperfect science. Timepieces of the very early 1800's were notorious for losing as much as ten minutes a day.
- History of Railroad Signaling
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Since its birth, the railroad has employed a variety of signaling methods to communicate with locomotive crews as to what course of action they must take, mile by mile, in order to safeguard themselves from possible collision.
- Onboard Restrooms
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We have received comments and complaints regarding water washing onto the tracks from our restroom cars. We feel it may be helpful to clarify what exactly is occurring when this happens.