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Coordinates: 37°16′32″N 76°42′28″W / 37.27556°N 76.70778°W / 37.27556; -76.70778
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{{multiple issues|
{{Infobox Station
{{one source|date=August 2023}}
| style=Amtrak
{{primary sources|date=August 2023}}
| name=Williamsburg
| image=Williamsburg depot.jpg
| image_size=
| image_caption=The station building.
| address=468 North Boundary Street<br>[[Williamsburg, Virginia]]
| coordinates= {{coord|37|16|32|N|76|42|28|W |region:US-VA_type:railwaystation |display=inline,title}}
| line={{rail color box|system=Amtrak|line=Northeast Regional}}
| other=[[Greyhound Lines]], [[Hampton Roads Transit]], [[Williamsburg Area Transport]]
| platform=
| parking=Yes; free
| bicycle=
| passengers=53,056<ref>{{cite web |title= Amtrak Fact Sheet, FY2011, Commonwealth of Virginia|publisher= [[Amtrak]] |date= December 2011 |url= http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/factsheets/VIRGINIA11.pdf |format= PDF |accessdate= 4 February 2012}}</ref>
| pass_year=2011
| pass_percent=13
| opened=1935
| rebuilt=
| ADA=Yes
| code=WBG
| owned=
| zone=
| baggage_check=No
| services=
{{s-rail|title=Amtrak}}
{{s-line|system=Amtrak|line=Northeast Regional|previous=Newport News|next=Richmond, VA|type=Newport News|type2=Both}}
}}
}}
{{Short description|Intermodal transportation hub in Williamsburg, Virginia}}
The '''Williamsburg Amtrak station''' is located at 468 North Boundary Street in [[Williamsburg, Virginia]] in the intermodal '''Williamsburg Transportation Center'''.
{{Infobox station

| style = Amtrak
More comprehensively than many other U.S. destinations, Williamsburg offers good non-automobile driving alternatives for visitors and citizens, both getting there, and moving around locally. The area has both a central intermodal transportation center and an extensive public [[transit bus]] system prepared to serve local users and visitors.
| name = Williamsburg, VA

| image = Williamsburg Transportation Center 2023.jpg
The centrally-located '''Williamsburg Transportation Center''' is located in a restored building which was formerly a [[Chesapeake and Ohio Railway]] (C&O) passenger station near the Historic Area, the [[College of William & Mary]], and the downtown area. It affords easy access to the [[Colonial Williamsburg]] Visitor's Center and virtually all types of passenger ground transportation services are located there.
| image_caption = The Williamsburg Transportation Center in June 2023.
| address = 468 North Boundary Street<br />[[Williamsburg, Virginia]]
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|37|16|32|N|76|42|28|W |region:US-VA_type:railwaystation |display=inline,title}}
| other = {{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|bus}} {{rint|us|Greyhound}} [[Greyhound Lines]]
|{{bus icon|12px|Shuttle Bus}} [[Hampton Roads Transit]]: 921
|{{bus icon|12px|Shuttle Bus}} [[Williamsburg Area Transit Authority]]: Blue, Grey, Orange, Red, Tan, Jamestown
}}
| platform = 1 [[side platform]]
| tracks = 1
| parking = Yes
| bicycle =
| mpassengers = {{rail pass box|system=Amtrak|passengers={{Amtrak ridership|Williamsburg}}{{Amtrak ridership|citationVA}}|pass_year={{Amtrak ridership|date}}}}
| opened = 1935
| rebuilt =
| accessible = Yes
| code = {{Amtrak code|WBG}}
| iata = ZWB
| owned =
| zone =
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system=Amtrak|line=Northeast Regional|left=Newport News|right=Richmond Main Street|to-left=Newport News}}
| other_services_header = Former services
| other_services_collapsible = yes
| other_services = {{Adjacent stations
|system=Amtrak|line=Northeast Regional|left=Newport News old|right=Richmond Main Street|to-left=Newport News old|note-mid=(1981-2024)
|line2=Twilight Shoreliner|left2=Newport News|right2=Richmond Staples Mill Road
|line3=James Whitcomb Riley|note-mid3=until 1976|left3=Newport News|to-left3=Newport News|right3=Richmond–Ellerson|to-right3=Chicago
|line4=Colonial|note-mid4=1976-1992|left4=Lee Hall|right4=Richmond–Main Street
|line5=George Washington|note-mid5=to 1974|left5=Lee Hall|right5=Richmond–Main Street|to-left5=Newport News|to-right5=Chicago
|system6=Chesapeake and Ohio Railway|line6=Main Line|left6=Norge|right6=Grove|to-right6=Old Point Comfort}}
|mapframe = yes
|mapframe-marker-color = #{{rcr|Amtrak}}
}}
'''Williamsburg Transportation Center''' is an [[intermodal transit]] station in [[Williamsburg, Virginia]]. Operated by the [[Williamsburg Area Transit Authority]], it also serves [[Amtrak]]'s ''[[Northeast Regional]]'' train as well as [[Greyhound Lines]] and [[Hampton Roads Transit]] intercity buses. The transportation center was formerly a [[Chesapeake and Ohio Railway]] (C&O) passenger station.


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Northeast Corridor Amtrak 66 boarding trackside at Williamsburg Transportation Center 2-03-2008.jpg|thumb|left|''Northeast Regional'' at the station, February&nbsp;2008]]
In 1873, the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Railway]] (C&O) line led by [[Collis P. Huntington]] had connected Richmond with the [[Ohio River Valley]] at [[Huntington, West Virginia]]. In 1881, the [[Peninsula Extension]] of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway brought the line east to the new city of [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]]. Williamsburg initially allowed tracks to be placed down the main street of town, [[Duke of Gloucester Street]], and even directly through the ruins of the historic capitol building. As regular service was established, the main line was soon relocated slightly north.


Williamsburg's original station was replaced in 1907 with a brick structure, in conjunction with the [[tercentenary]] of Jamestown. Then in 1935, the 1907 station was replaced with the present station building with funding from [[John D. Rockefeller Jr.]]
Originally known as [[Middle Plantation]], Williamsburg's site had been selected in 1632 for the very reason that it was on the center ridge, or spine, of the land between the adjacent James and York rivers. After the capital of Virginia had moved to [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]] in 1780 under the leadership of Governor [[Thomas Jefferson]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]], Williamsburg had been reduced in prominence. It was not sited on a major water route and in the 18th and early 19th century, transportation in Virginia was largely by navigable rivers and in some cases, [[canal]]s. Although new railroads seem to be springing up in many places after 1830, until long after the [[American Civil War]] (1861–1865), none had come to Williamsburg or the lower Peninsula.


C&O passenger service to Williamsburg was replaced in 1971 by Amtrak.
In 1873, the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Railway]] (C&O) line led by [[Collis P. Huntington]] had connected Richmond with the [[Ohio River Valley]] at [[Huntington, West Virginia]]. This had long been a dream of Virginians. By this time, [[bituminous coal]], abundant in southern West Virginia and western Virginia, was emerging as a major natural resource to fuel the growing [[Industrial Revolution]]. In 1881, the [[Peninsula Extension]] of the C&O brought the line east to the new city of [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]] in a rural area of adjacent [[Warwick County, Virginia|Warwick County]] and the deep sea port of [[Hampton Roads]] where new [[coal pier]]s were built. Completion of the Peninsula Extension was good news for the farmers and merchants of the [[Virginia Peninsula]], and they generally welcomed the railroad. Williamsburg initially allowed tracks to be placed down the main street of town, [[Duke of Gloucester Street]], and even directly through the ruins of the historic capitol building.
{{clear left}}


==Station layout==
[[Image:Northeast Corridor Amtrak 66 boarding trackside at Williamsburg Transportation Center 2-03-2008.jpg|275px|right|thumb|''[[Amtrak]] passenger train 66 will travel northbound along the busy [[Northeast Corridor]], serving Richmond, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and New Haven en route to Boston.'']]
The station is served by two [[Amtrak]] trains a day in each direction, with direct service to [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]], [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], and points along the [[Northeast Corridor]] from Washington DC through New York City to Boston. [[Intercity bus]] service is provided by [[Greyhound Lines]] (Carolina Trailways), [[Hampton Roads Transit]] (HRT) and the [[Williamsburg Area Transit Authority]].
As regular service was established, the main line was soon relocated slightly north of what is now known as the Historic Area and the first of three passenger stations was established in Williamsburg. Other facilities were opened in the adjacent areas of James City and York counties at [[Diascund, Virginia|Diascund]], [[Toano, Virginia|Toano]], [[Norge, Virginia|Norge]], [[Lightfoot, Virginia|Kelton (Lightfoot)]], [[Ewell, Virginia|Ewell]], and [[Grove, Virginia|Grove]].

Williamsburg's original late 19th century station was replaced in 1907 with a newer brick structure in conjunction with celebration of Jamestown's 300th anniversary. Then, in 1935, that station, which was formerly behind site of the [[Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Governor's Palace]], was replaced with a newer one at the present location with funding from [[John D. Rockefeller Jr.]] as part of the restoration of the colonial capital which became known worldwide as Colonial Williamsburg. The brick colonial style building has been restored inside and out.

While the [[George Washington (C&O)|''George Washington'']] was the railroad's flagship, the ''Fast Flying Virginian'' (which connected Washington, D.C. and Newport News) and ''Resort Special'' were also well-traveled trains on the system. {{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} During the heyday of the railroads, dozens of dignitaries arrived there, including Presidents [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], [[Harry S. Truman]] and [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] and [[Winston Churchill]].

[[Image:Greyhound 86095 at Williamsburg VA 2010-04-19.jpg|275px|right|thumb|''Greyhound bus operated by Carolina Trailways, a Greyhound subsidiary, loading at Williamsburg's Transportation Center on April 19, 2010.'']]
By the late 1960s, the end of passenger rail in the United States seemed near. It now seemed that passenger rail's financial problems might bring down the railroad industry as a whole. Few in government wanted to be held responsible for the extinction of the passenger train, but another solution was necessary. In 1970, Congress passed and President [[Richard Nixon]] signed into law, the [[Rail Passenger Service Act]]. Proponents of the bill, led by the [[National Association of Railroad Passengers]] (NARP), sought government funding to assure the continuation of passenger trains. They conceived the '''National Railroad Passenger Corporation''' (NRPC), a hybrid public-private entity that would receive taxpayer funding and assume operation of intercity passenger trains. The NRPC started operating under the now familiar name of Amtrak. The remaining C&O passenger service to Williamsburg was replaced in 1971 by Amtrak services.

The passenger rail tracks on the Virginia Peninsula, owned by C&O successor [[CSX Transportation]], and shared by Amtrak, remained a preferred conduit for many persons visiting Williamsburg, including dignitaries. In early 2008, the U.S. Democratic caucus traveled between Washington D.C. and their annual gathering at the [[Kingsmill|Kingsmill Resort]] via Amtrak through the station.

{{see also|Chesapeake and Ohio Railway|Amtrak}}

== Intercity rail and bus services ==
The Williamsburg Transportation Center is served by several [[Amtrak]] trains a day, with direct service to [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]], [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], and points along the [[Northeast Corridor]] from Washington DC through New York City to Boston.

[[Intercity bus]] service is provided by [[Greyhound Lines]] (Carolina Trailways) and [[Hampton Roads Transit]] (HRT).

== Local transportation ==
[[Image:WAT Buses at Williamsburg Bus Facility 2-03-2008.jpg|275px|right|thumb|''A line of [[Williamsburg Area Transport]] (WAT) [[transit bus]]es equipped with two-way radios, wheelchair lifts and bike racks operate on schedules timed to converge simultaneously at the central Transportation Center.'']]
The center also offers several modes of local transportation. [[Williamsburg Area Transport]] (WAT) uses the center as a transfer hub for its network of handicapped accessible [[transit bus]] routes serving the city, [[James City County, Virginia|James City County]], and most portions of [[York County, Virginia|York County]] adjacent to the Williamsburg area, with hourly service 6 days a week during daytime and evening hours. WAT routes planned for local needs and visitors serve most of the hotels and restaurants in the area, as well as Colonial Williamsburg's Visitor Center, Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country theme parks, the College of William and Mary and dozens of smaller attractions.

[[Taxicab]]s and rental cars are also based at the transportation center. The [[Virginia Capital Trail]] to Jamestown and Richmond is located nearby, and all of the WAT [[transit bus]]es and many of Colonial Williamsburg's "gray buses" have been equipped with [[bicycle|bike]] racks which will help facilitate access for cyclists.<ref>[http://www.virginiacapitaltrail.org/ Virginia Capital Trail Foundation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

== Amtrak routes ==
*''[[Northeast Regional (Amtrak)|Northeast Regional]]''


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Williamsburg (Amtrak station)}}
{{Commons category|Williamsburg Transportation Center}}
{{Amtrak web|WBG|Williamsburg, VA|VIRGINIA}}
{{Amtrak web|WBG|Williamsburg, VA}}
*[http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/williamsburg.htm Williamsburg Amtrak Station (USA Rail Guide -- Train Web)]
*[http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/williamsburg.htm Williamsburg Amtrak Station (USA Rail Guide — Train Web)]


{{Amtrak Virginia stations}}
{{Williamsburg, Virginia}}
{{Colonial Williamsburg}}
{{Colonial Williamsburg}}
{{Transportation in the Hampton Roads Region}}

[[Category:Transportation in James City County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Transportation in James City County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Transportation in York County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Transportation in York County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Williamsburg, Virginia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Williamsburg, Virginia]]
[[Category:Amtrak stations in Virginia]]
[[Category:Amtrak stations in Virginia]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened in 1935]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1935]]
[[Category:Stations along Chesapeake and Ohio Railway lines]]
[[Category:Former Chesapeake and Ohio Railway stations]]
[[Category:Transit centers in the United States]]
[[Category:Transit centers in the United States]]
[[Category:Bus stations in Virginia]]
[[Category:Bus stations in Virginia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Williamsburg, Virginia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Williamsburg, Virginia]]
[[Category:1935 establishments in Virginia]]

[[Category:Brick buildings and structures in Williamsburg, Virginia]]
[[ja:ウィリアムズバーグ駅]]

Latest revision as of 15:50, 22 December 2024

Williamsburg, VA
The Williamsburg Transportation Center in June 2023.
General information
Location468 North Boundary Street
Williamsburg, Virginia
United States
Coordinates37°16′32″N 76°42′28″W / 37.27556°N 76.70778°W / 37.27556; -76.70778
Platforms1 side platform
Tracks1
Connections
Construction
ParkingYes
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeAmtrak: WBG
IATA codeZWB
History
Opened1935
Passengers
FY 202369,469[1] (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Newport News
Terminus
 Northeast Regional Richmond–Main Street
toward Boston South or Springfield
Former services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Newport News
Terminus
 Northeast Regional
(1981-2024)
 Richmond–Main Street
toward Boston South or Springfield
Twilight Shoreliner Richmond Staples Mill Road
toward Boston South
James Whitcomb Riley
until 1976
 Richmond–Ellerson
toward Chicago
Lee Hall
toward Newport News
 Colonial
1976-1992
 Richmond–Main Street
toward Boston South
George Washington
to 1974
 Richmond–Main Street
toward Chicago
Preceding station Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Following station
Norge
toward Cincinnati
 Main Line Grove
toward Old Point Comfort
Location
Map

Williamsburg Transportation Center is an intermodal transit station in Williamsburg, Virginia. Operated by the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority, it also serves Amtrak's Northeast Regional train as well as Greyhound Lines and Hampton Roads Transit intercity buses. The transportation center was formerly a Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) passenger station.

History

[edit]
Northeast Regional at the station, February 2008

In 1873, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) line led by Collis P. Huntington had connected Richmond with the Ohio River Valley at Huntington, West Virginia. In 1881, the Peninsula Extension of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway brought the line east to the new city of Newport News. Williamsburg initially allowed tracks to be placed down the main street of town, Duke of Gloucester Street, and even directly through the ruins of the historic capitol building. As regular service was established, the main line was soon relocated slightly north.

Williamsburg's original station was replaced in 1907 with a brick structure, in conjunction with the tercentenary of Jamestown. Then in 1935, the 1907 station was replaced with the present station building with funding from John D. Rockefeller Jr.

C&O passenger service to Williamsburg was replaced in 1971 by Amtrak.

Station layout

[edit]

The station is served by two Amtrak trains a day in each direction, with direct service to Newport News, Richmond, and points along the Northeast Corridor from Washington DC through New York City to Boston. Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines (Carolina Trailways), Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) and the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2023: Commonwealth of Virginia" (PDF). Amtrak. March 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
[edit]
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