Christiansburg officials seek new Amtrak service

CHRISTIANSBURG (AP) Officials are hoping to extend Amtrak service a bit father west.

The Roanoke Times reports that the city of Christiansburg has an agreement to buy land for a potential new train station.

Officials hope to win approval for extended Amtrak service to Christiansburg from Roanoke.

Last year, Amtrak service returned to Roanoke after a nearly 40-year hiatus. A Northeast regional train now travels from Roanoke to Washington, D.C., and beyond.

A $350,000 study backed by the state is currently underway to examine what improvements are needed to get expanded passenger rail service to the state’s far southwest, including Bristol.