Manassas Line

The Manassas Line is a Virginia Railway Express commuter rail service that extends from Washington, D.C. to Bristow, Virginia.^[1] The first of VRE's two lines, with service beginning on June 22, 1992,^[2] the line operates on tracks owned by CSX Transportation (the RF&P Subdivision) and Norfolk Southern Railway (the Washington District).^[3]

Manassas Line
VRE train in Manassas station.
Overview
Status	Operating
Owner	Norfolk Southern Railway, CSX Transportation
Locale	Washington, D.C., Fairfax County, Virginia, Prince William County, Virginia
Termini	Washington Union Station Bristow, VA
Stations	10
Service
Type	Commuter rail
System	Virginia Railway Express
Train number(s)	321–338
Operator(s)	Virginia Railway Express
Daily ridership	5,062 Boardings (April 2025)
History
Opened	June 22, 1992
Technical
Line length	35 miles (56 km)
Character	grade-separated, Underground and above ground
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Operating speed	79 mph (127km/h) (top) 26.6mph (42.5km/h) (average)
Route map Manassas Line highlighted in blue Show interactive map Legend MARC Amtrak Union Station First Street Tunnel L'Enfant Potomac River Washington, D.C. Virginia Crystal City Alexandria Fredericksburg Line to Spotsylvania Amtrak Backlick Road Rolling Road Burke Centre Clifton (seasonal) Manassas Park Manassas Broad Run Amtrak All stations are accessible This diagram: view talk edit Show route diagram

Broad Run Station - western terminus of the Manassas Line

The line's train get around 5,062 boardings per day in April 2025^[4]

History

The line south of Alexandria, Virginia, was once owned by Southern Railway, whose Crescent train stopped at the line's Alexandria and Manassas stations. When U.S. intercity passenger service was taken over by Amtrak, the new railroad continued the Crescent service between New Orleans and New York City.^[5]

In 1984, planning began for a commuter rail service for the area. Eight years later, after many new stations were constructed, Virginia Railway Express began operating trains on the line on June 22, 1992.

In 2009, Amtrak extended its Northeast Regional service south to Lynchburg, bringing more trains to Manassas and Burke Centre.^[6]

In 2017, VRE began a $2.8 million study of expansion to the Broad Run station and layover facility that would allow additional Manassas Line service.^[7]

As of June 2024^[update], the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority is negotiating with Norfolk Southern to purchase the portion of the Washington District between Broad Run and Alexandria used by VRE.^[8]

Stations list

State	Location	Station	Connections
District of Columbia	Washington	Union Station	Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Floridian, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter, Thruway Bus to Charlottesville, Virginia MARC: ■ Brunswick Line, ■ Camden Line, ■ Penn Line VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line Metrorail: DC Streetcar: H Street/Benning Road Line Metrobus, Loudoun County Transit, OmniRide, MTA Commuter Bus
		L'Enfant	VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line Metrorail: Metrobus, Loudoun County Transit. OmniRide, MTA Commuter Bus
Virginia	Arlington	Crystal City	VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line Metrorail: Metroway Metrobus, Arlington Transit, Fairfax Connector, Loudoun County Transit, OmniRide
	Alexandria	Alexandria	Amtrak: Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Floridian, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line Metrorail: Metrobus, DASH
	Springfield	Backlick Road	Metrobus, Fairfax Connector
	Burke	Rolling Road	Metrobus
		Burke Centre	Amtrak: Northeast Regional Metrobus, Fairfax Connector
	Manassas Park	Manassas Park	OmniRide
	Manassas	Manassas	Amtrak: Cardinal, Crescent, Northeast Regional OmniRide
	Bristow	Broad Run	Manassas Regional Airport