The Brunswick Line schedule has not seen a significant revision since the Frederick Branch opened in 2001.  In the intervening years, ridership on the Brunswick Line has increased significantly, especially at Brunswick, Point of Rocks, Germantown and Gaithersburg.  The current schedule does not reflect the time needed to load passengers at stations. 

In revising the schedule, we have worked closely with CSX Transportation, the owner of the Brunswick Line, to ensure that the proposed changes are feasible and represent current operational conditions.  CSX and MARC management rode Brunswick Line trains for several days earlier this year and meticulously documented the run time between stations and dwell time at each station.  This information was incorporated into the proposed schedule.

Click here to download a copy of the proposed Brunswick Line schedule.  Please note that Amtrak trains P029 and P030 are included in this document as information only.  They do not accept MARC tickets.  More information on Amtrak's Capitol Limited is available by clicking here

The proposed Brunswick Line schedule provides several enhancements to the service:

• Better spacing between trains—by adjusting schedules, there will be fewer instances where a train must slow to follow the train that preceded it.  This, along with additional service to West Virginia (see below) will also address overcrowding on current trains.
• Instead of the last train to Martinsburg returning to Brunswick each night without passengers (a non-revenue move), Train 872 will originate in Martinsburg, departing at 5:00am.  Trains 874 and 878 will continue to operate from Martinsburg.
• Train 873 will be extended to Martinsburg, providing a much-requested earlier departure (3:30pm from Union Station) that goes all the way to West Virginia.
• More limited-stop trains for West Virginia, Brunswick, and Point of Rocks passengers.

Other service changes:

• Stopping patterns for smaller stations will be adjusted, primarily to address spacing between trains (as discussed above).
• The last departure from Union Station to West Virginia will be Train 881, which will depart at 6:15pm and operate as a limited-stops train.  Train 883 (7:15pm departure from Union Station) will terminate in Brunswick.
• While not related to the schedule change, MARC is in the process of installing three new crossovers on the Brunswick Line.  These will permit trains to change tracks more frequently to operate around slow or disabled freight trains.  The crossover near Twinbrook Metrorail station is in service, another west of Barnesville will be in service soon, and a third crossover is under construction just east of Germantown. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is the Brunswick Line schedule being changed?
A. Please read the detailed explanation above.

Q. Are fares being increased?
A. No.

Q. What is the effective date for the new schedule?
A. Our target implementation date is January 30, 2012.

Q. The train I ride now no longer stops at my station.  Why did you remove the stop?
A. Our goal with this schedule change is to increase reliability and overall speed of the service.  By adjusting the stopping patterns of the trains, we will be able to provide a more reliable service and reduce the instances that trains must slow down to follow another MARC Train.  Some smaller stations will have one or two fewer departures—again, the goal is to improve the operational flow of trains.

Q. I am a West Virginia passenger that rides Train 883 and I am not happy that it will no longer operate west of Brunswick.  Why are you doing this?
A. Terminating Train 883 in Brunswick addresses several operational problems and will improve the reliability of service by ensuring that the operating crew gets its full Federal Railroad Administration-mandated time off between shifts.  In many cases, when Train 883 is delayed, the crew cannot work the next day and CSX must find a replacement crew, which is not always available.  Also, by revising the patterns of train service to West Virginia, we were able to add an additional, earlier, morning departure out of Martinsburg.  To compensate for Train 883 ending in Brunswick, the time of the last departure to Martinsburg from Union Station will be 6:15pm.  It will also be a limited-stops train, which will reduce travel time.

Q. How can I provide feedback about the new schedule?
A. There are several ways to provide feedback.  You may fill out an online survey or download and print a feedback form.  We strongly encourage passengers to use the online survey, as it will collect all data electronically and allow MARC management to best evaluate customer feedback.  In addition, we are taking this opportunity to collect some demographic and ridership information about our patrons. Emails are always welcome at marc@mta.maryland.gov. 

In addition, there will be several Meet the MARC Management events over the next two months.  Representatives from MARC, the MTA, and CSX Transportation, will be present at stations all along the Brunswick Line to take customer feedback.  The schedule for these events is:

December 5 – Rockville MARC station, 4:00-6:30pm
December 7 - Silver Spring MARC station, 3:30-6:15pm
December 8 – Monocacy MARC station, 5:00-8:00pm
December 13 – Washington Union Station, 4:00-7:00pm
December 14 - Brunswick MARC station, 5:00-7:30pm
December 15 – MARC Riders Advisory Council meeting, 4:30-6:00pm, Hall of States, 444 North Capitol Street, Washington DC
December 20 – Germantown MARC station, 4:00-7:00pm<
January 3 - Brunswick Town Hall Meeting, VFW Hall in Brunswick, 5:00-8:00pm
January 4 - Barnesville MARC station, 4:30-7:00pm
January 5 - Kensington Town Hall Meeting, Kensington Town Hall, 4:00-7:00pm
Saturday, January 7 - West Virginia (location TBD in Charlestown), 1:00-4:00pm

Downloads

Download Proposed Schedule 
Download Feedback Form