Arlington VA

[cnwfan]

I am going to see my uncle in DC and visit some sites and try to get some railfaning in. I am spending the week starting aug 5with my uncle who lives above the tracks in Arlington Is this CSX or NS trackage? I am planing on taking my scanner to get a taste of the flavor at nights. So far from Google maps I have not been able to find anywhere that would be good ground shots.

[pmcn]

I am going to see my uncle in DC and visit some sites and try to get some railfaning in. I am spending the week starting aug 5with my uncle who lives above the tracks in Arlington Is this CSX or NS trackage? I am planing on taking my scanner to get a taste of the flavor at nights. So far from Google maps I have not been able to find anywhere that would be good ground shots.

The trackage was former PRR Union Station to long brindge to Patomac Yard used by B&O, C&O, RF&P, SAL, ACL, and Southern. Patomac Yard is gone. Most freigt movement is CSX with some NS. The line is used by Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express. In DC, Union Station and L'Enfant Plaza/9th street offers some oppertunity. In Virginia try Crystal City and Alexandria. The rail line is paralled by the DC Metro through these areas. You can get a two for one shot if lucky. In Maryland, try College Park/Greenbelt (there is a public park next to the airport but I don't remember the name) Silver Spring, Rockville and probably one of the best spots, Gaithersburg (the origional station is now a community center).

Enjoy your trip.

Paul

[Literalman]

The railroad station in Alexandria adjacent to the King Street Metro station is a good spot, better than Crystal City (as a commuter, I use both all the time). Alexandria has a waiting room, rest rooms, vending machines, and better benches, and railfans are tolerated. Much more comfortable for watching trains, and just down the line from Arlington.

Steve Dunham
Spotsylvania, VA
Literalman@aol.com

[cnwfan]

Thanks,Im not sure how much time Ill have to railfan. What are the frequencies to be programed in,the place is on Crystal drive.

[pmcn]

http://www.kb8nds.com/railroads/main.html

Also try searching for Marc (Maryland commuter trains on the Met and Camden/Penn lines) and Virginia Raiway Express.

If you get time, I highly suggest a trip to Point of Rocks and Brunswick Maryland. About an hour or so from DC, but excellent traffic and scenery.

And if you like history, about an hour from DC just outside of Ellicot City is the Hollofield Section of Patapsco State Park. Go down the hill to the river and walk toward the tunnel (stay off the tracks). If you look closely at the path, you will see a line of stones. These are the origional rails (minus the strap iron) layed down by the B&O in the 1830s.

Paul

[free2rtmey]

I would say to railfan in Alexandria and it doesn't hurt to try getting some action in Ivy City. you can't go directly to the tracks because a fence is blocking. The yard is sitting right there and you can catch Acelas, Regionals,Marc trains and long distance trains picking up speed as they leave union station.

[cnwfan]

Sorry for bumping this post but since I found the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac line route I would like to update the crossings what are the crossing types that are most commly used where there is a crossing. and wondering how long is the three track thats by Crystal City and it seems like there was a 4th track that ends just before the station at Crystal. Any thoughts

[Literalman]

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question about crossing types.

The track layout in the MSTS RF&P route corresponds to 2002. At the time, there was a pedestrian grade crossing between Woodbridge and Rippon. It has since been replaced by a pedestrian bridge. Nowadays the northernmost grade crossing is Featherstone Road, about a mile north of the Rippon station. From there on south to Fredericksburg, the half dozen or so grade crossings all have flashing lights and gates. I don't know enough about grade crossings to tell you more than that.

Just south of the Crystal City station was SRO interlocking, where the mainline went from three tracks to two. There's also a siding just north of the station; I overlooked that when building the route, but the rest of the trackage, although a bit rough in spots (it was my first route) corresponds pretty well to reality. In the past year or so CSX rebuilt the track from Alexandria to the Potomac River bridge, with three tracks the whole way, also eliminating SRO.

At one time there were four tracks through Alexandria; you can still see the empty plate girder bridge over King Street.

Steve Dunham
www.stevedunham.50megs.com

[qballbandit]

Steve,
I just dusted off the RF&P last night as a matter of fact, gave one of my personal activities a run, and I must say - for a first route, you did a hell of a job.

Thanks much,

Neil :)