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Train delays test Virginia GOP delegates

Signal glitches turn 6-hour train trip to New York City into 12-hour ordeal

By CHELYEN DAVIS

Date published: 8/30/2004

By CHELYEN DAVIS

NEW YORK--The 60-some Virginia Republicans traveling by train yesterday to the GOP convention here called their car the "Virginia Delegation Express."

But the train was anything but an express.

A half-hour late by the time it left Richmond about 11:30 a.m., signal problems on the CSX-owned tracks left the Amtrak train, and its Republican occupants, cooling their heels just south of Fredericksburg for more than an hour.

Those who boarded at downtown Fredericksburg's train depot had been waiting in the un-air-conditioned station for about three hours.

For the unfortunates who had boarded early Sunday morning in Norfolk, the trip took almost 12 hours. Originally due to arrive in New York around 5 p.m., Republicans learned around Baltimore that they would get into town closer to 8:30.

A few made their way to the dining car, where they could get hot dogs, microwaved cheeseburgers, and beer or wine.

The delay was frustrating, but the delegates seemed to take it well.

Being late means "we'll just have to stay up later," said Spotsylvania delegate John Van Hoy.

Jay Hughes, also from Spotsylvania County, said delegates were "really just more irritated than anything" by the stop-and-go trip.

"We're having a great time," he added. "We're happy to be moving along and getting into New York City."

The Virginia delegation, which is staying at the Helmsley Park Lane hotel on Central Park south, arrived at its lodgings a little after 9 p.m.

The Republican convention kicks off today at Madison Square Garden. Virginia's delegates will hold a breakfast honoring Attorney General Jerry Kilgore at 8 this morning before the afternoon's convention events.

U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., will be among the first speakers, introducing Republican Senate candidates. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former mayor Rudy Guiliani and U.S. Sen. John McCain are scheduled to speak tonight.

To reach CHELYEN DAVIS: 804/782-9362 cdavis@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 8/30/2004