[Scan-DC] Railfan Ideas

[Peter Rothschild]

College Park or Greenbelt does let you see the Amtrak, MARC, and CSX, but you don't see any of the Greenbelt yard.  Metro is building a new track between Greenbelt and College Park to test the new 7000 series cars, but I don't think it is in use yet so you won't see the new cars.

I second the idea of NY Ave/Gallaudet, where there are always yard switchers running around.  And from there, you can go back and forth to Rhode Island Ave and see a lot of the Brentwood yard, including
- Track maintenance equipment
- The little wooden platform where sometimes a train will stop so that an operator can open just one door to let himself on or off (northbound)
- Car wash stations (southbound)
- Some cars that have been in accidents (but may be covered by tarps) (near the north end)

I think it is RI Ave where you can get the iconic picture of a train with the US Capitol in the background (for example: http://media3.s-nbcnews.com/j/ap/302b9d54-46c8-43f6-a3e2-094775504e72.grid-6x2.jpg)

You can see a bit of the maintenance yards between Landover and New Carrollton, including a couple of cars that are leaning over about 15-45 degrees and are used for training first responders (if those are still there).  It is hard to spot, and you only see it for a brief moment.  Amtrak, MARC, and CSX also parallels that part of the Orange line.

If he would like to see maps of the tracks, look at the legendary John Cambron's gallery here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/100607511786329534919/TrackSchematics#

For hustle and bustle almost like New York, go to the lower level of Gallery Place at rush hour.  Although not the busiest station, technically, it seems to be the most crowded.

The only interesting bridge is the Yellow line between L'Enfant and Pentagon, and it isn't very impressive.  Short and low compared to NYC bridges, but at least you can see the river and the Jefferson Memorial, and in the distance, Washington Monument, Watergate, and National Airport.

I hope he enjoys the trip.

--Peter--


-----Original Message-----
From: Scan-DC [mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Sean Hoyden
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2016 2:27 PM
To: JOHN ANTONELLI <johnantonelli at verizon.net>
Cc: Scan DC <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>; Thomas P. Clouse <tom at clouse.com>
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Railfan Ideas

I'd tell them to go to Greenbelt/College Park station on the Green Line.
Plus they're only a short walk to UofM for assorted eateries/restaurants.

Neighborhood is decent, but they won't see much AMTRAK if that's what they're hoping for.  Greenbelt sits right on the Capitol Subdivision of CSX, but I don't recall how busy it is anymore.  Anything between Richmond & Philly for sure, but also will get stuff between Cumberland & Baltimore depending on the dispatcher's mood.  They usually send lots of that traffic via the OML at Point of Rocks or Relay/St. Denis.​

On Mon, Feb 8, 2016 at 2:16 PM, JOHN ANTONELLI <johnantonelli at verizon.net>
wrote:

> Well Braddock Road to watch the CSX
>
>       From: Thomas P. Clouse <tom at clouse.com>
>  To: Scan DC <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
>  Sent: Monday, February 8, 2016 1:46 PM
>  Subject: [Scan-DC] Railfan Ideas
>
> Hi All,
>
> I received the below request. My thought was NY Ave/Gauladet Station 
> to watch Metro and the Union Station yard.
>
> I will pass along any suggestions folks have.
>
> >>>I’m taking my son to dc (from ny) for his bday later this month.  
> >>>He
> likes nothing more than exploring the transit system (knows nyc inside 
> out).  Any great spots to hit that’ll blow his mind?  We’re 
> adventurous and happy to go ends of the line, etc.  Thanks for any tips!
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-- 




Sean Hoyden
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