A location to safely watch trains has opened near Washington, D.C. Arlington County recently opened Long Bridge Park adjacent to control point RO on CSX’s RF&P Subdivision. Arlington is at the south end of CSX’s Long Bridge across the Potomac River. This double track bridge was opened in 1904. The name “RO” comes from the tower built by the Pennsylvania Railroad when it built a branch from the south end of the bridge north to Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington. The Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad began at RO and the name has continued at the current interlocking even though the tower and branch are long gone. Arlington obtained the property west of the railroad next to RO and decided to create a park. The park’s design includes a raised esplanade that allows excellent views of the railroad and the surrounding area. The current park does not include the adjacent Twin Bridges Marriott site, but the county owns that parcel and will incorporate it into the park in the future. From I-395 the park may be accessed by exit 10A while northbound on and exit 9 while southbound.
TRAIN WATCHING
The esplanade is about 15 feet above ground and has a waist high railing. The wall of the esplanade is about 30 feet from Track 3, the closest track. Tracks 3 and 2 cross Long Bridge into Virginia and at RO Track 1 diverges from Track 2. The 3 track alignment continues for more than 10 miles south through the suburbs. Conrail removed the electrification to Potomac Yard in 1981, but several poles that held the catenary are still in place and plenty of trains still move here. All Virginia Railway Express trains pass by the park and all are powered by new MP36PH-3Cs. Amtrak runs trains throughout the day. Amtrak’s Silver Star, No. 91, is scheduled to run south at a time perfect for winter sun. CSX freights, including intermodal and orange juice trains, also pass by through out the day. Another nearby train watching location is the Monroe Avenue bridge (US 1). This bridge crosses the tracks 4 rail miles south of RO. From the bridge, you’ll enjoy excellent views of southbound trains with the U.S. Capitol building in the background. Just north of the bridge a track branches off to reach a coal burning power plant and Robinsons Terminal on the Potomac River. This track is owned by Norfolk Southern which uses trackage rights on CSX to deliver coal and other products. The power plant is supposed to close in 2012, so this track maybe removed soon. Across the river in Washington, D.C. another location to view the trains is the L’Enfant Promenade (10th Street Southwest). The tracks make a curve to reach the L’Enfant Promenade bridge and the U.S. Capitol is in the background. Afternoon sun will be behind those watching southbound trains, but winter shadows from buildings cover the tracks from October to April.
RAILROAD FREQUENCIES
CSX, as well as tenant railroads Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express, use 160.410 for the dispatcher and 161.550 as the road channel. A defect detector is at Slaters Lane, 4 miles south. All trains call signals.
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Close to the park are the shops and restaurants of Crystal City and the Fashion Centre at Pentagon Center. Another shopping center is located on the site of Potomac Yard. Long Bridge Park itself has 3 synthetic soccer fields, an elevated platform away from the tracks, sidewalks and benches, and bathrooms. Roaches Run is a lagoon across the tracks and is visible from the esplanade that attracts ospreys and eagles. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is on the other side of the lagoon, and railfans photographing trains at the park might just be outnumbered by airplane watchers.
My family stayed at the Marriott Twin Bridges for a few days on a vacation trip to DC when I was 13 or fourteen in 1965 or 66. The RF&P line ran right behind the hotel and I was in young railfan heaven. All of the passenger trains coming south out of DC (SR, C&O, ACL, SAL) plus all of the freight traffic going into Potomac Yard and all points south (GG1s and E44s on PRR freights along with diesel freights from all of the passenger roads plus the B&O) made up a nearly constant parade. It would be only a slight exaggeration to say that my parents had to physically drag me away from the tracks to go sightseeing. Alas, no camera at the time.
Always thought that NS track down to the Old Town would make a nice little trolley line, or even a commuter spur to get from DC directly to Old Town.
Robinson Terminal is also out of service, since winter 2012 or 2013. There is also a very long linear park along the tracks through the old Pot Yard with many good views of the tracks (although the background behind your photos will be wanting, unless you like condos) and there’s a large, new playground if you’ve got kids to keep occupied.
The power plant off of the NS line is, in fact, now closed. It was always interesting to be delayed at that intersection when they were moving in coal!
Thanks, This is in my backyard, yet somehow I did not know about it!