Since the train is discharge only, isn't there the chance that there will be nobody detraining there and the train will just roll by?
This is sort of a gray area. Because it's a discharge-only stop, yes, you could theoretically say that the train will roll by without stopping. In practice, this never happens. The chances of the train rolling by Alexandria are about as much as the chances of the train rolling through DC Union Station in the event they don't need to swap engines until Philly--virtually nil. Can I guarantee it? No. But would I bet on it stopping? Yes. The only thing you run the risk of at ALX is that the train arrives and leaves early.
Rafi
Rafi, The odds are excellent that
somebody will be getting off the train in WAS, so that means the train will very probably stop in WAS. :lol: Same with ALX. But since they're discharge-only stops, even if early,
will the train wait long enough to load our bags and let us board? If anyone can convince me that the train will wait long enought to have our bags loaded and to board, I'm willing to gamble, and get there early enough to make sure we're there when the train stops.
Thayer,
I've got to tread lightly here, because I can't guarantee anything, but I can tell you that in my experience, and given everything I know about taking the train in and out of Alexandria, if you are there with your bags, and you've spoken to station personnel before the train arrives and have a redcap ready to take your bags to the baggage car (who is probably headed that way anyway to offload discharging passengers' bags), and you're standing on the platform when the train pulls up and the conductor drops the stair trap, the train will not move before you are clear of the platform, if nothing else than for safety restrictions.
I would do this... before you have the tickets printed and mailed to you (or before you go pick them up from a station), call the Alexandria station (try to pick a time when there is a lull in long distance trains) and explain your situation to them. Their number should be (703) 836-0085. Explain that you'd like to book a long distance train out of Manassas, and that you'd like to board in Alexandria, and would they have a problem checking bags for you. Unless they have someone new there who's a real stickler, I'm sure they'll tell you to show up early, find a red cap, and be on the platform. I'm also sure they'll remind you that you're paying more by buying a Manassas ticket, but you're already up to speed on that.
Rafi