CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Amtrak is coming to Christiansburg in 2027.
“Southwest Virginia has always been a rail area for sure,” said Karina Romero with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.
A town with a rich railroad history, preliminary construction is currently underway at the old Cambria train station as crews prepare to start work in the coming weeks.
“Plans are moving forward, everything is on schedule, and we are thrilled to bring passenger rail service back to the New River Valley for the first time since 1979,” Romero said.
She said people can expect crews out soon, and there is a lot of work to do to bring everything up to standard.
“We definitely have to have a platform for safe boarding and unloading, so that’s definitely a priority, along with the track work, the access road so people can actually get to the platform, and then some signaling,” Romero explained.
Two local store owners directly across from the future train said they have been keeping a close eye on any updates regarding the train station.
“We’ve been paying a lot of attention to it; we’re really excited for it,” said Doug Ashworth, owner of Electrical Supply.
“I think it’ll impact the businesses down here just bringing awareness to the community of Cambria withinside Christiansburg” said Heather Vaughn, co-owner of Cambria Antiques.
Ashworth expressed his anticipation for how the new service will affect business.
“I don’t think it is going to hurt business,” he said.
Vaughn added they believe this will be beneficial for the entire area and local businesses.
“I think that’s the hope for all the small businesses down here,” she said.
Romero said in the first year the station is open, they are expecting around 40,000 passengers.
