Growing up in Greensboro NC on the Southern main trips to DC by train in the 1950’s on the Southerner 48 😊was amazing. The speed. It was a nite train. But upon arriving in DC the colors were amazing. ACL was so purple. I miss those days. Thanks for your videos. Also Southern was Green in those days.

I finally finished watching all of this. I'm impressed with your knowledge of the route, especially knowing the origin of "RO", which I was going to comment on if you hadn't. The area between CP RO and the highway was the location of the very first Marriott hotel, "Twin Bridges" in the early 1950s. It survived until the late 1980s. One correction, RF&P Potomac Yard was on the left after Braddock Rd. It was still functioning when I moved to the DC area in the mid-1980s. When I was working for CSX in the '00s veteran crews still called the Four Mile Run signal "PY" for Potomac Yard. The land on the right where all the expensive town homes are was the former Southern Ry. Alexandria facility. It was where Southern/NS steam excursions for the DC area originated from until around 1990, when they closed the engine facility and started adding the steam locomotive for the excursions at Manassas. "Fleet" is an additional signal added since I left.

It's amazing to think that if MARC ever extends their line from Perryville to Newark, DE, it will be possible to ride commuter trains all the way from Spotsylvania to New London, CT!

Relaxing ride. Really enjoyed the commentary! Thanks for posting!

Nice ride a nice narration I really enjoyed this video

Outstanding video, thank you!!!!😊😊

1:26:09 They are not (substantially) rebuilding the current Long Bridge. They are building 2 new bridges between the existing Long Bridge and the Fenwick (WMATA) bridge; a 2 track rail bridge and a pedestrian bridge. The current Long Bridge will stay and be primarily used for freight with passenger on the new bridge. The railroad will be quad tracked from CP Virginia to AF.

Excellent video! Noted one small caption error. Pot. Yard was on the left side of Crystal City stop, now totally developed.

GREAT VIDEO - Thanks

Excellent video once again!

Thanks for that. I've seen VRE trains but never had the opportunity to ride one. For a "commuter" line it looks very rural right up until you enter Alexandria! And while I don't have your horn fetish, I must admit that that car does have a very nice one!

1:30:45 the signal there is CP Virginia. The RF&P Sub (as defined by CSX) extends to M Street (CFP 113.8) where the Capital Sub Alexandria Extension starts but continues the CFP mileposts until the wye at Tanglewood (~CFP 121)

Gorgeous views across the water ...

For Amtrak trains going North to the NEC, Featherstone Rd. is the last at-grade crossing before New London, CT.

Couple additions about Quantico. One, it's also where the FBI academy is. 2, it's also where HMX-1 (VIP helicopters) are based out of Quantico as well. Cool video BTW

Great clear video and commentary.

At 1:07:48 that's the Capitol Beltway (I-95/495) overhead!

This is going to be great!

I’ve already retired. That’s why I’m rail fanning hence the name.

Also, the Metro station at L'Enfant Plaza is the only one with service from five lines. The only line that doesn't go there, is the Red Line, which goes to Union Station.

Thanks for doing my home train! I’m just mannases though.

Railfan the Lansdale & Ambler Train Station

Yes, it is the "Meade Pyramid". Placed by the Daughters of the Confederacy to commemorate the spot where Union Gen. George Meade was stopped and turned back during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Part of the era of racist confederate monuments being put up in the South. I was a qualified CSX engineer over this territory in the '00s, and before that was a Washington, DC-based Amtrak Lead Service Attendant for 14 years.

28:22 track layout is reversed. Track 1 is always the extra third track to the right going north on the RF&P, with the main lines that run the whole route being tracks 3 and 2 (right to left going northbound). The RF&P was a left-running railroad, running north on 3 and south on 2. At L'Enfant the third track is on the west side and is Track 4. Milepost prefixes are CFP, not CFB. Train symbol is P312, not V312. Park on the left at RO is Long Bridge Park, named after the bridge.

Yeah it was fun. I wasn't sure where the Silver Service splits after Alexandria.

That hockey fan must be a Rangers fan. Don’t worry, you’ll get your revenge soon. 😊

Hold up...they let you in the cab? How did you arrange that?!

What is the top speed on this line? Looks like it could easily be upgraded to 90MPH or even 110MPH.

This was excellent! So I have to admit, I never knew Virginia had a commuter railroad train. Sure look forward to you doing more rfw view videos of this line. I actualy enjoyed this way more than your Caltrain rfw because the cab car horn is very enjoyable. Would have been great if LIRR had these horns on their cab car fleet.

Hey RRHG, I’m going to be in Alexandria this weekend visiting the wife’s family, I’m hoping to pick one day to do some railfanning around DC (either Saturday during the day or perhaps Tuesday morning). Any chance you’d be available and interested in meeting up?

Why do you say thattheywill never have to deal with you again ???