When the VRE first began operations along the I-95 corridor in 1992 there were questions as to whether the lack of housing near the train stations would derail the long term plans for the commuter rail. Now with new communities growing up along the commuter rail line and the rising price of gas more and more commuters are discovering the advantages to hopping on the VRE for their commute to the city or stops along the way.
The southern stop in Prince William County on I-95 corridor tour is the Quantico Station. Located within the gates of Quantico Marine Corps Base commuters must drive in to the base in order to get to the station and must have a picture ID available to show the military police when entering the base. Parking isn't a problem with 258 parking spaces available at the station. You can grab coffee and a muffin at the Whistle Stop Coffee Shop before you hear "all aboard." The first morning train leaves the station at 5:39 am and the last morning train is at 9:14. The commute to Union Station runs an hour and express trains will get you there quicker! With the communities of Kramer's Ridge right outside the gate and Aquia Harbor just a few miles down the road in Stafford County. Residents of both these communities can take advantage of the convenience Quantico Station.
Keeping chugging north on the tracks and within 10 minutes of leaving Quantico you hit Rippon Station. With 676 parking stations this location usually only runs at 55% capacity which may be because it is tucked back into a residential community makes this station a little harder for newcomers to find. The station is surrounded by a number of developments including Potomac Pointe Condos, Riverside Station and Dawson's Landing.
Five minutes from Rippon Station is the Woodbridge Station located at the entrance to the community of Belmont Bay. Residents can walk to the station in the morning grab coffee and a muffin from the Coffee Club Café. Besides the residents of Belmont Bay the station attracts riders from the Town of Occoquan and Lake Ridge. With a parking garage and lot that accommodates 738 cars it is the biggest station along the route.
If you are looking for a chance to park your car and enjoy your commute with just the clacking of the rails then check out the communities along the VRE route in eastern Prince William County. Sit back and read the morning paper and enjoy your coffee and leave the driving to the engineer. All Aboard!
What do you do when you need to put new homes in a historic town setting? In some areas builders just throw them up and disregarding the integrity of the neighborhood. In Occoquan, the town planners, the builder, the architects and a Victorian color expert sat down and for months hashed through a plan that would create new homes that fit in with the setting of the old town.
The latest edition of the Washington Business Journal (WBJ) has named Town of Occoquan and the Occoquan River Communities in the top 13 communities to watch in the DC Metro area in the future.
Expect a line out the door if you try to head to the restaurant for Sunday Brunch. The price is an extremely reasonable $14.95 and besides the usual menu there is also a carving station and an omelet bar. Friday and Saturday nights from 9:30 pm to 1 am there is live entertainment with bands covering a wide variety of music including classic rock, contemporary and light jazz.
The smell of pies baking is not coming from my house. That is the good news for my friends and family
The even better news is that we only have to go a few miles away from our home in Belmont Bay to the historic town of Occoquan to find Mom's Apple Pie Company and General Store.
Mom's Apple Pie Shop just isn't about the sweets. During the summer you can also pick up fresh veggies straight from the farm. In Occoquan, Mom's also has a General Store that carries a wide selection of wines, organic groceries and bait. Yes that is fish bait. Occoquan does sit on a river and you will see the local out on their boats casting a line for dinner.