Alexandria Union Station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alexandria, VA
Location	110 Callahan Drive Alexandria, Virginia United States
Coordinates	38°48′23″N 77°03′44″W / 38.80639°N 77.06222°W / 38.80639; -77.06222
Owned by	City of Alexandria
Operated by	Amtrak
Line(s)	RF&P Subdivision (CSXT)
Platforms	1 side platform, 1 island platform
Tracks	3
Connections	Washington Metro (at King Street–Old Town station) DASH: AT2, AT2X, AT5, AT6, AT7, AT8, AT10 Metrobus: 28A, 29K, 29N, NH2 Richmond Highway Express King Street Trolley
Construction
Parking	Yes
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	ALX
Fare zone	2 (VREX)
History
Opened	1905
Rebuilt	1982
Electrified	No
Traffic
Passengers (2017)	200,373  5.36% (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station Burke Centre toward Roanoke Northeast Regional Washington, D.C. toward Boston South or Springfield Woodbridge toward Norfolk or Newport News Manassas toward Chicago Cardinal Washington, D.C. toward New York Quantico toward Charlotte Carolinian Manassas toward New Orleans Crescent Richmond Staples Mill Road toward Savannah Palmetto Fredericksburg toward Miami Silver Meteor Richmond Staples Mill Road toward Miami Silver Star Preceding station Virginia Railway Express Following station Backlick Road toward Broad Run Manassas Line Crystal City toward Washington, D.C. Franconia–Springfield toward Spotsylvania Fredericksburg Line
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Designated:	February 27, 2013
Reference #:	13000044
Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated:	December 13, 2012
Reference #:	100-0124

Alexandria Union Station is a historic train station in Alexandria, Virginia. This city is located just south of Washington, D.C.. People often call it simply Alexandria to avoid mixing it up with Washington Union Station. Its special code for Amtrak trains is ALX.

This station is on Callahan Drive, in the Old Town part of Alexandria. It serves both Amtrak trains, which travel long distances, and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains, which are for daily commuters. For Amtrak travelers, this station can be a good alternative stop when going through the Washington area.

Right across the tracks is the King Street–Old Town station for the Washington Metro. Since the Metro station opened in 1983, the city has worked to make Alexandria Union Station a major "intermodal hub." This means it connects different ways to travel, like Amtrak trains, VRE trains, Metro subway lines, and many local buses. There are plans to build a special tunnel for people to walk between Union Station and the Metro station. Right now, you have to walk about 600 feet along King Street to switch between them.

The main building for passengers was finished in 1905. It's a one-story brick building that is still used today. It was built in a style called Federal Revival, which was unique for stations back then. The station was updated a lot in 1982, and more improvements were made in the mid-1990s. A stone and concrete memorial for Veterans of Foreign Wars was built at the station in 1940.

History of Alexandria Union Station

An Amtrak train at Alexandria Union Station in 2007.

In the late 1840s, the city of Alexandria wanted to become a big trade center. To do this, they invested in many railroad projects. They hoped to compete with nearby cities like Baltimore. However, all these different train lines and companies led to many tracks and train yards all over the city. There were also many company mergers and failures.

In 1901, several railroad companies joined together. They formed the Richmond-Washington Company. Their goal was to manage train traffic between Richmond and Washington. They also planned to build a large, combined train yard called Potomac Yard. As part of this plan, they decided to build a new passenger station. This new station would be west of the city. At that time, this land was part of Arlington County. Alexandria didn't take over this land until 1915.

Alexandria Union Station officially opened on September 15, 1905. It served passenger trains from several different railway companies. In 1971, Amtrak took over ownership of the station building. The train tracks were bought by CSX Transportation. In 2001, the City of Alexandria became the owner of the station.

Since the 1970s, Union Station has been very important for Amtrak's train services in Virginia. In 1976, Amtrak started running a train called the Colonial. This train went from Washington, through Alexandria, to Newport News. Today, this route is part of the Northeast Regional service.

On October 1, 2009, Amtrak added two more Northeast Regional trains. These trains traveled to and from Lynchburg. They made stops at Union Station and other places in Virginia. Later, these services were extended to Richmond in 2009. They also reached Norfolk in 2012 and Roanoke in 2017.

How the Station is Laid Out

Alexandria Union Station has three tracks and two platforms. A platform is where passengers wait for trains.

• Ground Level: This is where you enter and exit the station. The main station building is also here.
• Track 3: This track has a side platform. This means the platform is on one side of the track. Doors on the train will open on the left or right side. VRE trains use this track.
• Track 2: This track is in the middle. Amtrak trains going south use this track. Some VRE trains also use it. Amtrak trains going north also use this track.
• Track 1: This track also has a side platform. Doors on the train will open on the right side. This track is mainly used by CSX freight trains. Freight trains carry goods, not people.

• Amtrak – Stations – Alexandria Union Station