Nostalgia & History > Southern Railway Yard in Alexandria VA - Part 2 (The End)

Following up on my thread from yesterday. There were several comments on the fate of the yard. Here are 2 photos from 11/4/1990 that show the yard being dismantled, first photo is from the east side of the yard, second photo from the west side. Just to clarify, the 3 photos in yesterday's thread and the 1st photo here were taken from Holland Lane (which crossed the yard's east side), so I was not standing in the middle of an active railroad yard. However the 2nd photo here was definitely taken from inside the yard, although at this point I don't think anybody cared.

Glenn

 

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How sad!
Bob

Interesting and most likely rare photos.  
Thanks for your posting.
ALLEN

This was probably the result of the N&W Southern merger and the movement of traffic from the northeast corridor to the line through Hagerstown. Makes you think about how many jobs were abolished with the closing of this yard.
CR

Would the end of Conrail electric freight have reduced interchange traffic from Conrail to Southern/NS there?

grether Wrote:
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> Would the end of Conrail electric freight have
> reduced interchange traffic from Conrail to
> Southern/NS there?

In a way, yes. This yard closed at the same time as Potomac Yard. In fact track removal was being done at both yards at the same time. Southern freights into Potomac Yard would cut off their locomotives, then a hostler would take them to this yard for servicing. There was also a fuel pad in this yard near the shops. When the interchange with Conrail changed to Hagerstown after Potomac Yard closed, the Southern yard lost a major reason for its existence.

Glenn

Glen Thank you for the before and after pictures of Alexandria Yard. I was the last yard clerk on duty to cover Alexandria,VA. A few months before the end, we moved over to the old SOU building located a few blocks south of the yard in Alexandria. We were there until December of 1990 and then the remaining job was moved to Manassas. The Hagerstown rerouting and CSX's wanting to get out of Potomac Yard spelled the end for the yard. When the yard closed the yard switcher and trains 203 and 204 then operated out of Van Dorn Street. The locals 38 and 39 that had originated at Alexandria then started out of Manassas. I also worked at Potomac Yards in the late 70's it was an interesting place to work.