Rear Adm. David Architzel, commander of the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Region in Norfolk, said the Hampton Roads-to-Washington corridor is the service's busiest travel corridor in the nation.

About 36,000 Department of Defense employees make the trip each year - with three out of four employees driving solo in cars.

"Potentially, there are 27,000 opportunities to get cars off this corridor with rail," Architzel said.

Passenger service by Amtrak stops well short of Norfolk, in Newport News.

The state transportation department recently released a study about building a high-speed rail line along the U.S. 460 corridor that links Norfolk and Richmond.

Addressing the annual meeting of the Virginia High Speed Rail Development Committee, Architzel did not advocate a particular method of bringing passenger trains to Norfolk.

However it happens, he told about 75 business and civic leaders, train service could save the government time and money.

Citing air fares and rail service studies, Architzel said a train ride between Norfolk and Washington could cost passengers about a third of a plane trip.

More rail options also would help the Navy and other military services move troops and equipment, he said.

Since last fall, 149 combat units have left Norfolk for operations in Afghanistan and other parts of Asia.

"High-speed rail could get those soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to Norfolk much more comfortably than buses," he said.

Architzel said in an interview that better freight railroad service could provide competition for truckers.

"The Navy doesn't care how we do it," as long as it's the best price.

He also advocated light rail service to the Naval Station in Norfolk, the focal point for 83,000 active-duty military commuters who fight traffic daily.

Increased security at the base after Sept. 11 caused traffic delays that lasted as long as three hours, he said.

While safety and security are paramount, he said, "These delays became and remain a major concern."

The business-backed High Speed Rail Development Committee is part of a regional coalition lobbying Congress for funds to upgrade railroads.

The goal isn't 200 mph "bullet trains" like Japan runs, but rather more and better train service, said state Sen. John Watkins, R-Chesterfield.