I checked with an Army employee familiar with rail developments in the Army and he replied, "Haven't heard anything either. It is one thing to own some equipment. It is quite another to have the money in hand and come to agreement with the three railroads - CSXT, NS, AMTK - and a maintenance contractor."
Dated: 26 July 2011
Mr. Smith,
What I can tell you about the current status of this project is that we are proceeding with the acquisition of the train. We anticipate having it at Fort Lee by September, but do not have a set date for its operational use. There are various contracting issues we are still working through, and inspections and test runs must be conducted before we put Soldiers on the train.
Once operational, using the train will eliminate about 100 bus trips per month between Fort Lee and Fort A.P. Hill, helping to reduce local traffic congestion.
All the best,
Stephen J. Baker
Deputy Director of Public Affairs
Media Relations Officer
U.S. Army Garrison
Fort Lee, VA 23801