Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express trains between Washington's Union Station and Virginia are on pause while crews replace old track, WTOP and NBC4 Washington reported. The work began on Friday night, the two news groups reported. NBC4 said service should be back to normal on October 26, while WTOP said the disruption runs through that day.

Crews are working on a key junction in the First Street Tunnel, just south of Union Station, WTOP and NBC4 reported. The junction controls how trains move between the station and Virginia, NBC4 reported. Amtrak says the old system forces trains to slow to 10 miles per hour through the area, NBC4 reported.

Crews will replace two switches and a rail crossing known as a diamond, WTOP reported. They will also put in new electric switch machines, replace the stones under the tracks and fix drainage in the tunnel, WTOP reported. Amtrak says the work will make service more reliable, with fewer delays, WTOP and NBC4 reported.

VRE trains will not run to or from Union Station, WTOP and NBC4 reported. From October 19 to 23, VRE will run a changed schedule, WTOP reported. Northbound trains will end at L'Enfant station, and afternoon southbound trains will leave from L'Enfant, WTOP reported.

Amtrak has stopped service between Union Station and Alexandria, WTOP reported. It is running buses in their place, WTOP and NBC4 reported. WTOP said the buses are timed to connect with trains, and NBC4 said they are likely to be an inconvenience.

"Hopefully in the long run, it will mean a safer commute for us all," one rider said, according to NBC4.

What we know: Amtrak and VRE trains between Union Station and Virginia are paused for track work until October 26, with buses filling the gap.
What we don't: Whether the work will finish on time, and how much longer trips will take for riders in the meantime.