Quantico Amtrak (Richmond, Alexandria, Woodbridge: home, closing, restaurants)

[kah68]

I am planning to travel to VA in August in anticipation of my sister's graduation from OCS at Quantico. I am hoping to take Amtrak from my home in SC, and I happened to see there is a "station" at Quantico where I could disembark. Does anyone have any advice or helpful tips regarding this station? I would most likely be having other family who are traveling to the area pick me up at the station. Thank you in advance for your help!

[CAVA1990]

It's right at the base. What else did you want to know? If you go to amtrak.com you can find additional info. as well as schedules and fares.

[kah68]

Thank you for the reply. To be more specific, I wanted to know if anyone had first-hand knowledge of what the station is like. Also, I wanted to know if it is okay for a non-military person to just show up at the train station and say that they are waiting for other non-military family members to pick them up. I am a little concerned about this, because I have heard that Amtrak is subject to delays and may not arrive exactly on time. If that were the case, I would probably not have anyone waiting for me at the station right as I depart. I have yet to meet anyone on a Marine base who was less than helpful and cordial when you're asking for help, but I don't just want to show up and say, "Oh, yeah. Just got in from out-of-state. Waiting here for my parents. They're from out-of-state too!" if it's going to cause a problem. Again, thank you for your reply!

[CAVA1990]

As long as everyone has photo ID there should be no problem. You or they should be able to wait inside the VRE depot there if you need.

[modelpenguin]

the station is in the town of Quantico, so you or your family can wait inside the train station and be fine. it's very small, but it's clean and safe. plus if you get there during the first part of the day, there's a coffee bar with snacks that's open. since it's in the town (the only base with an actual independent town inside of it) there are not often Marines at the station, so it's not likely anyone would ask you for an ID. your family will need to show ID when coming through the gate, but once they park inside the town, they could grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants if the train is delayed.

[oneasterisk]

There's no need for concern. The Quantico Amtrak station is probably one of the safest places to be. You'll be surrounded by a bunch of tough as guts Marines. You won't get hassled at the station. Whomever will pick you up, will need to show photo ID at the main gate. Have them tell the Marines that they are going into the Town of Quantico aka "Q Town" to pick up someone from the VRE/Amtrak station.

You may want to verify that the Amtrak train will actually stop at Quantico. It's not a main station so it may not be a regular stop. The Woodbridge and Rippon Station are not too far away in case you need an alternative, and they are not on a military base.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

There's no need for concern. The Quantico Amtrak station is probably one of the safest places to be. You'll be surrounded by a bunch of tough as guts Marines. You won't get hassled at the station. Whomever will pick you up, will need to show photo ID at the main gate. Have them tell the Marines that they are going into the Town of Quantico aka "Q Town" to pick up someone from the VRE/Amtrak station.

You may want to verify that the Amtrak train will actually stop at Quantico. It's not a main station so it may not be a regular stop. The Woodbridge and Rippon Station are not too far away in case you need an alternative, and they are not on a military base.

Woodbridge and Rippon stations are VRE not Amtrak. The next station up the line would be Alexandria. That's where the direct train from SC would stop, not Quantico. If you change trains in Richmond you can get off in Fredericksburg, Quantico, or Alexandria but you'll have a couple hour layover. However that would probably be preferable to having someone go all the way to Alexandria to retrieve you and then drive back through rush hour traffic.

[StandBack-DoorsClosing]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Woodbridge and Rippon stations are VRE not Amtrak. The next station up the line would be Alexandria. That's where the direct train from SC would stop, not Quantico. If you change trains in Richmond you can get off in Fredericksburg, Quantico, or Alexandria but you'll have a couple hour layover. However that would probably be preferable to having someone go all the way to Alexandria to retrieve you and then drive back through rush hour traffic.

Woodbridge is an Amtrak station: Woodbridge, VA Train Station (WDB) | Amtrak

It is serviced by the NE Regional line which runs up from Richmond.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by StandBack-DoorsClosing

Woodbridge is an Amtrak station: Woodbridge, VA Train Station (WDB) | Amtrak

It is serviced by the NE Regional line which runs up from Richmond.

I stand corrected (was looking at the Carolina services timetable) but it doesn't do the OP any good as the last Northbound stopping there leaves Richmond too early to make the connection from the Silver Star from SC.