Hi All!! I am going to Washington Dulles Area on business for two weeks, staying in Herndon, Va. Will have evenings and a weekend to do some site seeing, railfanning. Any good railroad stuff to see, anything within an hour drive or so. Thanks in advance!! Happy Model Railroading!!
You sure did not get much help from anyone living in the area. I lived in Woodbridge, VA, 21 years ago, so I'll suggest the following. If you haven't seen it, the Smithsonian Museum of History and Technology has an excellent railroad exhibit, and 40 miles up the road is the B&O Museum, a must see if you haven't been there. The National Capital Trolley Museum, north of the District in Maryland, has a few interesting cars and runs them. Can any of you locals advise Dwayne of any good spots to just watch trains go by? [ 31 July 2001: Message edited by: Gregg Mahlkov ]</p>
I used to go to the Alexandria station and the intermodal area at Van Dorn street (just off the Beltway). The station had quite a bit of activity during a work day with Amtrak, VRE, and some CSX freight moves. Also, Metro rail runs close by. I'd get good photographs of locomotives on some weekends at the Van Dorn street location (also in Alexandria). Mostly Norfolk Southern stuff, but every now and then there'd be some other road tied up there as well. One time an engineer invited us onto the property to get better photographs. I wouldn't venture onto their property otherwise! Also, I think there was a Vulcan (?) SW tied up nearby as well, can't remember though. It's been a few years since I've lived in the area though. Good luck "Look Ahead, Look South"
My son & I were in the area for a couple of days in April of 1999 riding The Capitol Ltd in from Chicago and then riding the Metro up to NYC to catch The Lakeshore Ltd to return Chicago/Detroit, we had good luck at the Fredericksburg station, Amtraks, Virginia Express, CSXT- also the B&O Museum is also worth the trip. Good Luck !
