February 1, 2007: The Free Lance Star "VRE Funds at Stake: Senator Puts Heat On CSX Officials Over Delays"
Every summer the temperature outside heats up and Virginia Railway Express trains slow down.
Heat restrictions imposed by CSX Corp. caused an average VRE train delay of eight to nine minutes between May and August 2006, although on a few days, delays were far longer.
Sen. Edd Houck, D-Spotsylvania County, got an earful about heat restrictions this fall from commuters during a public meeting on Fredericksburg-line service.
"It's almost become a way of life down here, to understand VRE is delayed or late," Houck said.
So he decided to put some heat on the owners of the tracks, CSX.
Houck has submitted an amendment to Gov. Tim Kaine's budget that directs Virginia officials to raise the heat restrictions issues with CSX during any negotiations. He said he's willing to hold up $20 million in track and signal improvements along the Richmond-to-Washington corridor until he gets some answers.