Army eyes surplus VRE equipment

The Army is interested in purchasing surplus rail equipment from Virginia Railway Express.

According to a Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation spokesman, the Army plans to transport soldiers from Ft. AP Hill in Bowling Green to Ft. Lee in Petersburg twice a week for 37 weeks each year, and they want to do it by rail.

Obtaining suplus equipment from  the commuter rail agency appears to be a viable option for the Army.

The Army’s request comes as VRE has seen explosive growth in ridership over the past two years and when the agency is looking to add two new trains on the its Fredericksburg line, according to comments from VRE chairman Paul Milde, made at commuter railroad’s June officials meeting.

Milde and others on the VRE board worry that if the surplus equipment is sold VRE may not be able to add additional commuter rail service.

A lease option has been discussed where the Army would rent the needed rail equipment from VRE.

A final decision has not been made.

The Army has also explored using buses to transport soldiers to and from Ft. AP Hill.