The Dec. 12 item announcing the new passenger rail service to Norfolk didn't mention that the train stops in Fredericksburg ["Passenger rail service connects Norfolk, D.C.]. It leaves at 5:13 p.m. and gets to Norfolk at 8:50 p.m. The northbound train leaves Norfolk at 4:50 a.m. and arrives in Fredericksburg at 8:10 a.m.

Fortunately, that predawn departure is not the only option: Special buses leave Norfolk at 7:40 a.m. and 3 p.m. for Newport News, connecting with Amtrak trains that arrive in Fredericksburg about four hours later.

Besides the direct train to Norfolk, there are two daily Amtrak departures from Fredericksburg (8:33 a.m. and 3:39 p.m.) to Newport News, with connecting buses to Norfolk. The direct train has an introductory fare of $19, one way.

Steve Dunham

Spotsylvania