Eastern Railroad Discussion > DC Area Trip Between 4/29-5/9 of 2026

Hello,
     I know that I have railfanned in the DC area so many times, especially around Alexandria and Arlington along the RF&P and along the Metropolitan Sub between Gaithersburg and DC. I have plans to get to several spots that I have never been to mainly for passenger but will settle in for CSX and NS action as well. I have plans to photograph some WMATA Metro trains. Here is my list of tentative railfanning activities in the DMV that I am planning on doing this Spring. 
                                          Along the RF&P(I know that construction of the track capacity expansion projects have been happening plus Long Bridge)
1. Railfanning around Arlington-get to Long Bridge Park which I have in the past. I also want to try to get photos of action on the RF&P passing alongside the Potomac Yards Metrorail Station. 
2. Spend both an am and a pm rush hour at Alexandria Station(I've been there done that many times)
3. In Springfield, VA get pm photos of rail action on the RF&P from Franconia Rd overpass plus morning rail photos from alongside Fleet Drive.
4. Photograph am trains from the Lorton VRE Station platform and pm trains from right outside of the entrance to the Lorton Amtrak Auto Train terminal
5. PM trains around Woodbridge Station and crossing the Neabsco Creek bridge(any nice spots for the view of the bridge, even if it involves asking property owners permission to be on a Yacht?).
6. Quantico Station(how is security toward railfans around Quantico including station?)
7. Locations in Fredericksburg-early pm trains crossing the Rappahanock River Bridge from City Dock Park and late afternoon trains at the Fredericksburg Amtrak Station plus from the Lansdowne Rd Grade Crossing.
                                   Along the VRE Manassas/Broad Run Line
1. Early afternoon, late afternoon, and early evening trains crossing the trestle inside Lake Accotink Park
2. Early afternoon trains at Burke Center Station
3. Maybe photograph a train or two passing through Clifton
4. Morning trains from the Mannassas Park Station platform and pm trains from the Manassas Drive grade crossing
5. Afternoon and early evening trains from the station in Downtown Manassas. 
                                 Metropolitan Sub
1. Talbot Ave overpass in Silver Spring
2. I've been to the MARC Stations between Kensington and Germantown but I probably will revisit them for the pm MARC trains plus some for am MARC trains.
3. I have never photographed at the MARC stations west of Germantown-a friend and I are planning on taking a weekend day road trip to photograph the MARC stations between Boyds and Brunswick and hope to get CSX and Amtrak action. Obviously MARC doesn't run on weekends on the Brunswick/Frederick Lines. 
                     Virginia Railway Express question
   The VRE trains that only go as far north as ALX, does anyone know where they have been turning in ALX and which yard do they layover in?
Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
 

>                      Virginia Railway
> Express question
>    The VRE trains that only go as far north as
> ALX, does anyone know where they have been turning
> in ALX and which yard do they layover in?
> Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
>  

I don’t know but VRE has this project planned with little information available: https://www.vre.org/about/seminary-yard/

It could be that they are keeping them closer to the Van Dorn/Cameron Station area. Perhaps someone with better knowledge will chime in.

You have an extensive list of railfanning activities. Have a great trip.

Posted from iPhone

Steve Gass
Linden, VA
B-LineRailfan

Thank you so much. The list of VRE projects is very helpful. It will be interesting to see how tall the fence at Manassas Station will be between the tracks. In all of the years that I have gone to the DC area, I have railfanned the RF&P within the Metro service area. I look forward to going past the Metro service area. 

One other thought is you might consider Harper’s Ferry WV if you have time. It’s not far from Brunswick and is worth a visit with the Potomac River, CSX bridges and tunnel portal.

B-LineRailfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One other thought is you might consider Harper’s
> Ferry WV if you have time. It’s not far from
> Brunswick and is worth a visit with the Potomac
> River, CSX bridges and tunnel portal.

When it comes to touring the MET, yes, much of MARC's service terminates at Brunswick. However, several of their trains go all the way to Martinsburg, WV (via Harpers Ferry). If you visit Harpers Ferry, you'll probably get some additional CSX traffic because it is west of Point of Rocks, MD, where the Old Main Line originates. Have a great time!

Matthew J.