Tours & Events
The conference will feature Thursday and Saturday morning tours, which are priced separately at $30 per participant and an optional dinner.
Thursday
Tour 1: Washington Union Station: 9 am – 12:00 pm
This tour explore the remarkable transportation role of Washington Union Station (WUS) and plans for expanding and enhancing this iconic facility. We’ll find out about the challenges that rail providers currently face, the anticipation of additional service in the year ahead, and efforts to revamp the station. The tour will be led by Amtrak staff, with roughly one mile of walking involved. Attendees can meet in the Van Metre Hall lobby at 9 am or meet the group at the station at 9:45 am (details provided after registration). We will return to the conference venue at noon. Roundtrip Metrorail fare included.
Tour 2: Virginia Railway Express Commuter Rail & Highlights of Alexandria: 9 am – 12:00 pm
This tour features a technical discussion of the trends and innovations involving the commuter railroad’s headquarters and a walking tour. Our discussions at VRE’s Alexandria Station and headquarters will be followed by a brief historically oriented Alexandria walking tour led by a local expert. Attendees can meet either at the TRF conference venue at 9 am or at the VRE office at 9:30 am (details provided after registration). We will return to the conference venue at noon. Approximately 1.5 miles of walking are involved. We will travel using rideshare services to and from Alexandra, which is included with registration.
Friday
Mixer & Dinner: 6:30 pm
Join us for TRF’s post-conference dinner outing at Uncle Julio’s, a Mexican restaurant featuring “made-from-scratch” entrées and desserts. Attendees will be able to choose from a list of menu options including vegetarian fare, and there will be a cash bar. Uncle Julio’s at 4301 Fairfax Drive in Arlington and next to major hotel, is a 17-minute (0.8 mile) walk from the conference center and a half-mile from the Virginia Square Metro Station. Attendees will be able to rideshare together if they would prefer not to walk to and from the restaurant. We’ll also have an announced pre-dinner mixer at a nearby pub from 5 – 6 pm.
Saturday
Tour: Gathering at the Air & Space Museum’s Café for a self-paced tour of the museum: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
All attendees are invited to participate in a small group discussion with several local transportation experts at the Café in the Washington Air & Space Museum. After the discussions end at 11:30, attendees can visit the museum (which is free) at their own pace. The museum is a 40-minute Metrorail ride from Van Metre Hall (fare not included). Free. Details were provided at the Annual Forum. No advance registration is required!
