Eastern Railroad Discussion > Virginia Buys a Railroad

https://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/plus/virginia-has-billion-deal-to-expand-rail-service-between-richmond/article_460c07a4-84d1-5b0c-9c0f-6dd384d7aa7b.html

As part of the blockbuster deal CSX sold VA the 173 miles of right of way, and 186 of track between Doswell and Clifton Forge.

That's an enormous purchase, and one that can change the shape of northern Virginia, Maryland, etc.  Amtrak putting nearly a billion dollars into the deal sounds a little sketchy, though.

I've mentioned in prior threads this should be a no-brainer. I-95, I-66, US 29 etc are all jammed solid on Friday and Sunday and folks go to or from their country homes.  And suburbs sprout south of Ashland, and down toward Culpepper.  VRE is the logical solution

(When did Virginia sell its interest in RF&P to CSX, and how much are they paying to get it back? They might have done better keeping the railroad and forcing improvements...)

Va is only sending a little over 500 million to CSX as part of the deal. Which considering how much right of way is involved seems like a steal

RF&P should've been allowed to remain independent. CSX did nothing but short change Virginia.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> That's an enormous purchase, and one that can
> change the shape of northern Virginia, Maryland,
> etc.  Amtrak putting nearly a billion dollars
> into the deal sounds a little sketchy, though.
>
> I've mentioned in prior threads this should be a
> no-brainer. I-95, I-66, US 29 etc are all jammed
> solid on Friday and Sunday and folks go to or from
> their country homes.  And suburbs sprout south of
> Ashland, and down toward Culpepper.  VRE is the
> logical solution
>
> (When did Virginia sell its interest in RF&P to
> CSX, and how much are they paying to get it back?
> They might have done better keeping the railroad
> and forcing improvements...)

I'm glad they're fixated on the cost of one lane of freeway, which isn't free.

mpatrickstone Wrote:
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> Va is only sending a little over 500 million to
> CSX as part of the deal. Which considering how
> much right of way is involved seems like a steal

So what is this saying exactly? CSX sold there lines between Richmond and Washington and Richmond and Clifton Forge? Is CSX shutting down or something? I thought that these were main arteries in their system, especially Richmond to DC?

cockaboose Wrote:
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> So what is this saying exactly? CSX sold there
> lines between Richmond and Washington and Richmond
> and Clifton Forge? Is CSX shutting down or
> something? I thought that these were main arteries
> in their system, especially Richmond to DC?

CSX will retain 2 mains on the RF&P.  

Will CSX still run empties over the mountain? How does this affect Buckingham Branch ops ?


Gary

Posted from iPhone

The details indicate that all Amtrak trains (except Auto Train, of course) would serve Main St Station in Richmond. This has been the intent all along. Virginia is also buying the CSX S-line (ex-SAL) right of way between Petersburg and Ridgeway, NC, just south of Norlina. This is the abandoned segment needed to implement the SEHSR project. The Ridgeway-Raleigh segment is currently served by CSX for local freight. 

I think this is the smartest thing Virginia has done in a long time.   As a Virginian I sure hope it is

brc600 Wrote:
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> RF&P should've been allowed to remain independent.
> CSX did nothing but short change Virginia.

I’m not quite certain of the basis for your assertion.  The RF&P had significant real estate holdings.  Essentially the deal gave the real estate to the State and the railroad to CSX.  Everyone was happy at the time.

Gordon

So you don't think this is another case of tax payers gettng suckered into buying a railroad at an exorbitant price that will require tax payer subsidized dollars which will outweigh its usefullness?

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/19 15:19 by wabash2800.

Part of the deal for Virginia's 20% of RF&P was then Gov Wilder's failed attempt to get
the Redskins to Virginia with a stadium on the site of Potomac Yards

wabash2800 Wrote:
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> So you don't think this is another case of tax
> payers gettng suckered into buying a railroad at
> an absorbitant price that will require tax payer
> subsidized dollars which will outweigh its
> usefullness?
>
> Victor A. Baird
> http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

What do you think would be a fair price for this exchange?

Virginia did not previously own the RF&P, the Virginia Retirement System owned the land.....

engineerinvirginia Wrote:
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> Virginia did not previously own the RF&P, the
> Virginia Retirement System owned the land.....

That's correct.

The VRS and CSX cut a deal in 1991.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/08/28/RFP-to-split-railroad-real-estate-units/2696683352000/

Posted from Android

I've been biting my tongue, but just can't hold it any longer. A master move on the chess board by CSX on the Piedmont/North Mountain. Unload a line useless to them that the BB can't profitably operate. My gut feeling was both of them were going to throw up their hands and walk away once 2024 rolled around (end of the lease between the two companies for those not local) rolled around.

Posted from Android

Actually BBRR extended it's lease to 30 years...but there is a walk away clause for all parties.....as to profitability....as a stand alone road no....or just barely, with monthly track rights payments it can run comfortably, and actually do things to build business and improve the line....which they have done. How new ownership will affect things I don't know, but I hear from an insider that it's business as usual for the near term.

How much triple track is in use or under construction on RF&P?

Posted from Android

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> How much triple track is in use or under
> construction on RF&P?
>
> Posted from Android'

Under contruction....none that I am aware....there's multiple mains coming out of Acca up to Greendale to accomodate Amtrak movements and freight too, but after that it is mostly double track. Interestingly the mains are numbered 2 and 3......making you think there was a 1 at some point, and is yet coming out of Acca but I am not familiar with entire subdivision to know if there is a 1 main anywhere else.....in Doswell, there is an Old Four main......I'd like to seen that place in it's heyday.