HD Railfanning Alexandria VA - VRE, Amtrak & CSX Action - 8/1 - 8/3 2012 (Part 1)

[@JaxBrubaker-po8ld]

Wow! This was a long time ago! I wouldn’t imagine it being rush hour at this time! By the way I love the VRE and Amtrak in Old Town Alexandria! The VRE is the best commuter train ever!!

[@donweinstein6749]

Alexandria, as you discovered, in an outstanding railfan location. It's a beautiful historic station, in a very safe urban/suburban location, easily accessed by car or by public transportation. Restaurants are a short walk away. A Washington, DC Metro subway station is part of the same complex, plus many Metro buses. Alexandria is a southern portal for rail traffic going through Washington, DC. It used to lead to the now-vanished Potomac Yards. The following lines all pass through the station: Amtrak Virginia Railway Express Manassas Line (weekdays) Virginia Railway Express Fredericksburg Line (weekdays) CSX freight NS freight Metro subway (separate right of way, but easily visible) You'll get to see the "Juice Train" carrying Florida orange juice to the New York Metropolitan area, and the "Trash Train" carrying New York's garbage to landfills in the south. Particularly on weekends and in the evenings you're likely to see railfans and families there to watch the trains pass through. 15 minutes north is Washington Union Station where you'll see Amtrak's electric fleet, including the Acela sets, and the Superliner-equipped Capitol Limited. About a 30 minute drive south is Lorton, the terminal for Amtrak's Auto Train (well worth seeing) While in Alexandria, take a close look at the station, which was recently restored. It follows the Southern Railway station style. There are public restrooms and vending machines. Limited free short-term parking is available in front of the station. If you want to make a day of it, also visit the Masonic Temple across the street from the station--they give free tours of the home lodge of George Washington. Walk down King Street, or take the bus, and you're in Old Town Alexandria, with lots of shopping, restaurants, and the Torpedo Factory arts complex--plus a water taxi across the Potomac to Maryland.

[@ov10bronco1]

When I was a boy of 10-12 used to go and watch trains with my grandfather. Used to be a brick factory on the other side, east, and we would go by the King St bridge and sit. Still have the photos. Got to sit in an F-7 there. Always go back when I visit. Southern, RF&P, C&O, B&O, Seaboard and Coastline used to go through all the time. Could tell by the horns. JIT

[@hmitchell8618]

14:41 Seboard System hopper

[@JaxBrubaker-po8ld]

Great video I love it

[@wakecountyproductions]

Oh look 130 before it was a heritage unit!

[@SignalHillProds]

Awesome video! It's cool to shoot in different areas. Even the Amtrak stuff is different than what we're used to seeing! Also, it's amazing how much faster the freights are allowed to go on CSX track than they are on Pan Am's! Good job, man!

[@RailfanTurner]

Terrific catches! Awesome power!

[@dcarpine28]

Excellent video Dan! Amazing work!! It was so neat to see different trains in different parts of the country. Awesome angles and zooms of the trains. I loved the meet you caught at 19:24!! What a view you could see from the station how you could see all the buildings in the background! Great shot of the night train at 24:12! Camera did very well focusing! I loved all the Amtraks you go too. I recognized a couple numbers on the P-42's that have been on the Downeaster before. Excellent work Dan!!!

[@CSXTrainBoy815]

nice video, amtrak train 97, 66, csx Q406, SD60i Q410, Amtrak 19, Amtrak 80, Amtrak 171, CSX local, Amtrak 66, Amtrak 97, are the train numbers. Nice camcorder as well

[@310eraser]

Alexandria has to be the busiest station in Virginia. It's where I usually board the Cardinal, Northeast Regional, or VRE (the last two to go to Fredericksburg). Much easier than DC Union Station.

[@drc930]

It certainly was busy I stayed at a hotel overlooking the mainline and saw so much. The freights were my favorite. Thanks for watching.

[@rachjzk]

drc930 See any foreign power?

[@drc930]

Railfan Jaiden No, just one leased engine. (HLCX SD40-2) I don't think there is a whole lot of non CSX power on that line because of the cab signaling, but you never know.

[@NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast]

This is to anyone who can answer: how’s the traffic normally on weekends? I came here this past Saturday and didn’t see much. I’m thinking about coming here again on a weekday

[@zacharylegaspi7594]

1:28 MY EARSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@jg-7780]

Think of it as a choir

[@anonymousperson9610]

Why do most of the genesis locomotives on Amtrak have e bells ?

[@hmitchell8618]

whats the radio frequency for the RF&p sub?

[@CSXTrainBoy815]

No 716, No P32AC-DM on this line, only on the hudson line. That is a P42DC 16

[@ConductorDon]

out of curiosity where exactly are the horns located on the mpxpress series? Ive never seen them up on top as they are in every other loco Ive ever seen.

[@drc930]

Sorry I'm not exactly sure I don't know much about those types of locomotives.

[@UltimateRailfan]

I think there below or in the hood somewhere

[@mitchtube00]

How old are those heritage dining cars?

[@howto628]

Nice!

[@drc930]

Thanks!

[@veronicamassey7472]

Merry Christmas

[@claydog1299]

Next year im going to ride a plane portland oregeon then take a amtrak train seattle to watch a seahawks game

[@claydog1299]

I live in jesup ia