Secrets of the DC Metro Blue Line

Abandoned elevators? Dogs in spacesuits? Flying junctions?
Join Andy On Track for a tour of the DC Metro Blue Line, uncovering its secrets, stories, and facts!
Did we miss any Blue Line secrets? Let us know in the comments below!
Beyond our on-the-ground reporting, various sources contributed to the content in this video. These include:
Greater Greater Washington (GGWash)
WAMU 88.5 (DCist)
The Washington Post
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
"The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro" by Zachary M. Schrag
nycsubway.org
Inspired by Geoff Marshall's "Secrets of the Underground": • Secrets of the Undergr...
Video Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:44 - Downtown Largo
1:26 - Summerfield Park
1:45 - Morgan Boulevard
2:39 - Addison Road
2:53 - Capitol Heights
3:16 - Stadium-Armory
4:07 - L’Enfant Plaza
5:00 - Smithsonian
6:12 - Federal Triangle
6:52 - McPherson Square
7:11 - Farragut West
7:28 - Rosslyn
8:38 - Arlington Cemetery
9:15 - Pentagon
9:57 - Pentagon City
10:23 - Crystal City
11:24 - National Airport
12:05 - Potomac Yard
15:39 - King St-Old Town
16:42 - Franconia-Springfield
17:14 - Outro
17:27 - Credits

[@peteymca]

Love to see you refer to it only as National Airport, Andy. A true king and a real head, we have no choice but to stan.

[@andyontrack]

:)

[@martincruz8319]

As our fantastic host pointed out, (a) National Airport was named before it was renamed after our 40th (American) President and (b) Metrorail must've kept the renaming under wraps. 🚇

[@everettjohnson4498]

These are incredible. I love the DC metro in large part because these videos have allowed me to appreciate it as I ride. Having recently left DC thanks for bringing me back home with these videos! I hope you make many more!

[@andyontrack]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Glad you enjoy the videos so much! :)

[@456newportlines]

Can the yellow line at least come in A few months.

[@rileydosh1605]

I'm glad you were able to get Potomac Yard included!

[@SandBoxJohn]

Some other secrets not mentioned. There are provision to extend the Blue line east of the Downtown Largo station. The twin box cut and cover tunnels between Addison Road, Morgan Boulevard and Downtown Largo do not have openings in the wall between the parallel tunnels, all other twin box cut and cover tunnels in the system have opening in the wall between the parallel tunnels. The south mezzanine on the upper level of L'Enfant Plaza is there to allow transfers between the Green and Yellow lines without needing to use the lower level platform or north mezzanine. It was built for that purpose only and there was no intention or provision to connect to a future surface entrance. The knockout panel in Federal Triangle is there to accommodate a second surface entrance on the east side of station as the General Service Administration originally planed to demolish the Old Post Office Building to build the remaining part Internal Revenue Service building creating a mirror image of the plaza on the east side of 12th Street. The outbound tunnel under the Potomac River between Foggy Bottom and Rosslyn is the lowest elevation in the system descending to a depth of 95' below sea level. The Rosslyn station is the only station in the system mined out of the bedrock that has a cast in place concrete arched vault. All other stations mined out of the bedrock have precast concrete arched vaults that are assembled like Lagos in cavers mined out of the bedrock. There are service tunnels connecting the Blue line outbound and inbound Orange and Silver line tunnels to the base of shaft under the traction power substation cooling tower at Fairfax and and Fort Myer Drives. In addition to the provision for the Columbia line line visible from the lower level platform in the Pentagon station, there is also the same provision on the upper level that can be seen when looking out the rear window of an inbound train. WMATA provided provisions for a future infill station at Potomac Yard in the originally planed 97 mile system in 1968. It was planed to be built on the original alignment roughly 900' south of the existing Potomac Yard station. WMATA also provided provisions for a future infill station at the south end of South Quaker Lane at the west end of the Alexandra Yard west yard leads. The island platform would be between the traction power tiebreaker station and where the third rail transitions from the right side of the tracks to the left side. The Blue line is the only line in the system that 3 tail tracks beyond the ends of both terminal stations. The tail tracks beyond the Downtown Largo station are underground.

[@andyontrack]

These are some great secrets and facts--thank you so much for sharing!

[@brycebundens6866]

These are awesome facts!!! Super useful. Thanks!!

[@Lift_City]

Do secrets of the yellow line

[@orenstransitpage]

@@andyontrack There's a reason I told you that John has probably forgotten more about WMATA than the rest of us will ever know when we were on the streetcar tour...

[@airbus7373]

I’d like to mention three more things: On the journey to Stadium-Armory, there’s an above-ground siding that was originally intended to be where Silver Line trains turned around after terminating at Stadium-Armory. Once they figured out the siding would be too short for this, they extended the line to Largo, instead opting to do a crew change at Ballston to compensate for the line’s long duration. As for the southern mezzanine at L’Enfant, I don’t know if there were provisions for an entrance there, but it was likely built without an entrance to allow passengers on the Yellow and Green lines to transfer in the other direction more easily, as the station has side platforms. The King st station is also the only station to not have a train arrivals display in one of the mezzanines, as it was moved when the north entrance was built.

[@brianhenderson9124]

So they finally opened Potomac Yard, have they? I left the DC Metro area for a new job while that was still under construction. Thanks for showing the new station. Now here's hoping they don't botch the Purple Line.

[@ArefDajani]

Important to note that the Purple Line is not and was never intended to be part of the Metro System. It is managed by the State of Maryland Department of Transportation. I'll look below in the thread to see whether anyone else mentioned it, but it's clear -- at least to me -- why L'Enfant Plaza is the BIG transfer station in the DC Metro System. Back in the day, it was built directly underneath the headquarters of...the US Department of Transportation!! The big draw for L'Enfant Plaza for me is that it's FOOD TRUCK CENTRAL, with ethnic and fusion cuisines that are hard to find anywhere else in the DC Metro Area -- I do not care for the acronym DMV.

[@ericfromreallife3058]

This was a much needed sequel. Continue the series please!!

[@localArlo]

I love these videos

[@TheMusicalElitist]

Love the tribute to Geoff Marshall - the pioneer of videos like these!

[@iannewman6238]

Congrats on video number 2, Andy and Max! Loved seeing the Smithsonian stop's footage, of course!

[@andyontrack]

Ian! Thanks so much for watching and yes, I understand why Smithsonian might be your favorite ;)

[@brucearthur5108]

For close to a decade I worked at Farragut West and commuted there via the Blue Line from Crystal City and Braddock Road. I think the Blue Line had the lowest ridership of all the lines in those days but I'm glad you gave it its due in this video. Just amazing the sheer variety of things you can get to by taking the Blue Line. An airport, an NFL stadium, the Pentagon, the White House, VA suburbia, MD suburbia...no other line matches this sheer variety.

[@ethanparker7900]

The green line has a pretty decent comparison even though its much shorter. It can be labeled by how it along with the Yellow serve X-finity Center and SECU stadium for University of MD Football and Basketball at College Park or Capital One Arena at Gallery Place Chinatown for NHL Hockey or NBA Basketball then the Green line alone serves Nationals Park for MLB Baseball at Navy Yard.

[@pizzajona]

You do not know how long I’ve been waiting for this to come out. I’d check this channel near daily!

[@andyontrack]

So glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@idoewjiofejw]

Used to live in DC. So much nostalgia. Thanks for these amazing videos!

[@MrCubsfan3]

Love this, and THANKS for using “national airport.” Much appreciated.

[@jg-7780]

I've traveled through Le'Enfant plaza a ton of times and never realized the guys in the spacesuits were dogs!

[@Missingnoleader]

Same like wow.

[@thomasburk3205]

Thank you for another awesome video! Potomac Yard station does look amazing with a very nice mix of old and new design.

[@ClassyWhale]

My home care client and I enjoyed this! He suggests you do the orange line next

[@andyontrack]

So glad you both enjoyed it! :) Orange is in the pipeline, but we might be going green first...

[@Steve-tj9on]

​@@andyontrack thank you😅. I live close to both but Green Line is closer to me. I can walk there( Collage Park)

[@JJRol.]

I love the art pieces and architecture found throughout the DC Metro. These videos help show how almost each station has something unique about it. I do like the stop and go art piece but my favourite will always be "Penguin Rush Hour" which I learnt the name of from your Red Line video. Thanks!

[@kckgirl78]

I see a lot has changed since my mother and I visited in August 1988 for the anniversary of the March on Washington! We flew into DCA, caught the Blue to our hotel in Crystal City. We both felt very comfortable on the subway and were able to move around with ease. Thank you for sharing! 👏🏽❤️

[@S-CB-SL-Animations]

Awesome, Secrets of the 🔵BL Line! LET'S GOOO!

[@Padi314]

This is a phenomenal series, definitely giving Geoff Marshall Secrets of the Underground, i love it!

[@jacklogansmith7646]

Hoping to see an Orange/Silver line secrets video soon... after all, there isn't too much left to cover for either of the lines with Largo to Rosslyn already done.

[@Jessie-vm6kq]

Loved the shoutout of the shortest escalator at Federal Triangle. I’ve had the pleasure of using it and it’s by far the stupidest things I’ve ever used on metro. Metro really loves its escalators don’t they?

[@skyblazeeterno]

That map at 0.20 showing the lines is just lovely

[@vitamindrop1]

Oh my God...when you got to Pentagon city it just brought back so many childhood memories! We used to take the subway (mainly the Blue line) whether for school or just spending a day out for quality time. And sometimes my mom would take me and my sis to the Pentagon City mall. Great childhood memories. I used to be so fascinated by those portholes lol I love your channel, you have so many cool facts that I didn't even know about in my own city 👍

[@davidwarner3831]

There is a bit more to the King St. Station two-canopy story. When the station was built, the "box" for the northern entrance was built, but the entrance was not. This occurred about 15 years after the station opening, at which time the northern canopy was added. This box would have been a good "secret" for a 1981 video, along the lines of the knock-out wall sections you have pointed out, at various stations. Having grown up in DC, and attended the Metro opening in 1976, as well as many other segments, I congratulate you, Andy, on a well-done series.

[@andyontrack]

Thank you so much--and that's absolutely fascinating, thank you for sharing!

[@baahcusegamer4530]

Been waiting for this ever since seeing the secrets of the Red Line!!! Thank you!

[@smedlings]

Great video...made even better by the use of Groose's theme on the surface from Skyward Sword!

[@andyontrack]

So glad you recognized the theme :)

[@AMcJV12]

These are so great. Glad you made another one

[@laneboyd6410]

So excited to see this update! I absolutely loved the Red Line video, and I've learned so many things that I didn't know about Metro!

[@JL3001]

Great vid, and LOVE that you got Potomac Yard on the morning of! I dropped by later in the day and got a pennant. Looking forward to future vids!

[@nlpavalko1]

Love love love this! Can't wait for more!

[@papagramps1257]

i was sooo hoping this would be a series, love it, keep it up! One more thing I personally love how you’ve done the red and blue lines first (assuming you’ll continue this) as those are my two “home lines” growing up by shady grove and now recently moving to around Van Dorn St :)

[@WeeklyBibleTalk]

Just watched both the red and blue line secret videos. Excellent work! Keep it up, I look forward to seeing the next ones :)

[@hyunjoly1573]

This is so much fun!! I miss DC after watching this. Thanks for your effort.

[@dingo_1865]

love this series so much!!

[@rlbond]

Great video, love the series so far!

[@WillsJazzLoft]

I'm glad that my curiosity got the better of me. Andy, I greatly enjoy your erudite and insightful commentary on Metro. On many excursions to DC, I've very casually ridden the system. Your video gives me an enhanced perspective of Metro. Thank you

[@andyontrack]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the video. :)

[@arthurliao2784]

Amazing video! Great to learn about another line on the metro!

[@AdamFaruqi]

I used to ride that defunct elevator at Rosslyn all the time! Sad to see it's gone, but happy to see they added even more elevators to replace it

[@arrowbow122]

Love these videos and the Telemann Viola Concerto! Can't wait for the other lines!

[@christinadavies1925]

Love this video series, I've been living in the DC metro area for over 7 years now and the Metro has been one of my absolute favorite parts of living here (car free!!). There's something so pleasant and comforting about the way each station is designed, it's a place that's just nice to be in and travel through. I haven't been on the blue line that much, but now that I know about the quirks of some of these stations if I ever find a free weekend I'd love to just spend a day station hopping!

[@Ma3dia]

you're awesome, love these! Keep it coming :)

[@robmrsh]

Such a great series! I cannot wait for the Green Line vid🥰

[@duckasarus3663]

Just found this channel, these videos are amazing. I can’t wait for the orange line series!

[@MaryS2022]

I am excited to see more videos like this!

[@dutchvanderlinde154]

Amazing, I was waiting for the 2nd video also love the thumbnails

[@BDavinci06]

Great video. I can't wait for the other lines. I like the first one that you made. Keep it coming!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@s.e.5106]

Hey Andy! Great video! Here’s a Blue (and Red Line) secret for you The Farragut North & West stations are actually connected by what is called a “C&O tunnel.” It is a single tunnel that allows the transport of trains to the Red or Bl Or and Sil line tracks. The track is located on the westbound platform of Farragut West and the South bound platform of Farragut North

[@andyontrack]

Thanks so much--and yes, an excellent bonus secret! :)

[@unofelix01]

these videos are so well done i have watched this one and the red line one and was so sad when there weren't any more as someone who lives in the dmv these are great

[@jj6148]

I love visiting the mall in Largo by the Blue line as a kid.

[@chineselemonkitty717]

Omg I’m just learning i saw you filming this I was at the potomic yard opening and I remember seeing you in the blue jacket Edit : I also can’t believe you didn’t mention the thing about King Street, where by a technicality is the longest platform Bevsuse of the walkway to the elevators on the north end of the platform

[@PhoenixBensing-nd5nc]

I love the metro and lived by Franconia Springfield

[@ethanparker7900]

same here homie Virginia and Franconia gang

[@jantheman4242]

this is so cool, i've always wanted a video series like this

[@nowhereman902]

Really great video. The one thing I missed since moving out of the DC area was the metro and how convenient it was. Keep up the great work and I can’t wait for you to cover the orange line which is what I used to take for work every day.

[@kidcharlemagne7450]

Really well-done. I learned a few things!

[@jwillisbarrie]

Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf - interesting and informative. I have subscribed!

[@zesky_cult]

This was really interesting! Looking forward to more

[@theexcaliburone5933]

phenomenal music choices

[@kayleebeare]

I love these videos so much. I squealed when I saw this one uploaded and I missed it by a month. Thank you for taking us along. I lived in DC for a few summers for work and this gives me so much nostalgia. I’m so glad you included the new station, thank you! Loved seeing it from here in Georgia.

[@andyontrack]

So glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@hazelh4776]

you have no idea how excited i was for this video

[@ryanking6016]

Fantastic work on this video

[@Michael-js6gp]

These videos are so great! I recently rode the silver line from my home station (Addison Rd) to Dulles. I can't wait to see Secrets of the Silver Line. Also, that clock tower at 2:43 has never worked for as long as I've lived here. 😅

[@brycebundens6866]

Magnificent!!! Thank you, again for these great videos!!! Super detailed, great stuff here. DC needs your videos to better appreciate the Metro system. I never knew about the L’Enfant entry that was never built. One clarification: Stadium-Armory has two canopy entrances - slightly different from Potomac Ave and the other underground ones nearby.

[@JoshuaHockom]

Another great video Andy, Max, and team!! Keep up the great work!! Fingies crossed the Green Line is next in your series.

[@andyontrack]

Thank you!

[@davisyewell1795]

These videos are great, the quality has increased so much from when you started.

[@andyontrack]

Thank you so much! :)

[@THELEIFMEISTER]

I love these videos!

[@TravelsByTransit]

These are the best! Hope to see the green line next!

[@michaelhill9007]

The greatest videos - looking forward to the overviews of the other metro lines. Let us know how else we can support you!

[@phlatlander]

Awesome video!

[@ArcticArca]

i love how reminiscent of secrets of the underground this is!

[@OriginalAttackOnManga]

These are amazing!

[@pr0ton_s]

the long awaited sequel!!!!!

[@MrJamieBattle]

Excellent work

[@navyyardbro]

Great video!

[@Denusa]

Looking for great things from you. I think you are off to a good start with two very high quality and informative videos. DC needs someone who can accurately and regularly create videos about Metro.

[@sebastianjoseph2828]

I've been waiting for this for ages, thanks for getting a review of the new Potomac Yards station in too. I grew up in MD using the red line 90% of the time so it's cool learning about others. Which line are you planning on doing next?

[@BirbarianHomeGuard]

Thanks, Geoff!

[@andyontrack]

My pleasure ;)

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

4:10 I think it's fitting that the soundtrack changed to Telemann right as the topic changed to L'Enfant. Joshua Bell did busk there in the mid-2000's in the middle of a work week, playing, among other things, Bach's Chaconne as with the Red Line video, superb production values!

[@danielpintard7382]

please keep making more videos like this. also can you make more videos that have to do with other aspects of washington dc

[@TGrrr89]

I may not be a D.C. native, but I have family in the area and have always enjoyed the Metro rides whenver we use it. So these videos are fascinating to me. I was also thinking; with spooky season well on its way, have you thought about making something like 'Spooky Secrets of the D.C. Metro'?

[@scottkozel1519]

This is great!

[@andyontrack]

Thank you! :)

[@andregouws7223]

Please make secrets of the green line next!

[@brian_brennan42]

Hey Andy, I work at DC News Now and saw you guys were on our channel this week. I didn't get the chance to say it but I wanted to let you know I am a huge fan of your work as a fellow metro nerd myself! I love the videos! Hope we get you back on DCNN again sometime soon! Keep up the good work!

[@andyontrack]

Thank you so much! It was a joy to be on the show, and that would be awesome! :)

[@CricketThomas]

These are amazing videos. You should do videos on all those unbuilt provisions too one day

[@andyontrack]

That's a great idea! Thanks for watching :)

[@ethanparker7900]

Lets go BLUE!!

[@sundontshinedesigns782]

You can see how much WMATA cares about updating old signage. Nearly none of the station lists on pylons *anywhere in the system* show the updated names of stations (see the old “Largo Town Center” name at 9:26), the system maps on the circular station displays at L’Enfant Plaza show outdated system maps without silver line extensions (4:19), Stadium-Armory (and at least one other, I forget which) still has a depressing soot-covered Visa/Mastercard banner near the faregates I believe from when credit card payment was introduced at the fare machines, and don’t even get me started on the insanely-outdated “area maps” on display near the faregates in some stations. By the way, your map at 0:42 has the Yellow line going all the way to Greenbelt - this is no longer the case and Yellow line trains now stop at Mt. Vernon Square as of May 2023. WMATA says it’s likely a permanent change, unfortunately. Has WMATA updated the signage in stations used by the Yellow line to reflect this? Not a chance.

[@orenstransitpage]

There's a lot of signage to update, it isn't as simple as you make it out to be to just change things over...

[@ethanparker7900]

well you realize it takes time to do every single sign or map right given there are almost 100 stops in the system? It isn't that simple cause there are hundreds or even thousands they have to update. On your point ab the Yellow Line they did say they would potentially bring back service to Greenbelt in the near future once the FBI gets settled with their new headquarter facility near there

[@jbc6980]

I would like to see info on the stations that you skipped. Secrets or not, it’s fun to get a tour of the area.

[@50_States_of_USA]

1:20 I saw that sign in highway I-495 or I-95

[@kitkirp]

the new station is so pretty :OO

[@LeetMath]

i’m not sure if not just repeating the stations already mentioned in previous videos is the right thing. obviously it would get tedious for someone watching all the videos but for completeness it seems like some lines are being prioritized over others as being more complete

[@kinkisharyocoasters]

A few other things: - From Largo (or Addison), you can catch the bus to Six Flags - Morgan Blvd was going to be called Summerfield and it has its own childcare - I believe Addison was the first elevated station in the system to have a "flat with peaked skylight" canopy instead of the "gull-wing" type - Federal Triangle and Metro Center are so close you can see one from another down the tunnel. Same with McPherson and Farragut. - The original plan was for there to be both a "Franconia" branch (the one that was built) and a "Springfield" branch that would have stayed along the VRE Manassas alignment to Backlick Road - At Rosslyn, you get to observe the interlocking signal. Bleu line trains need a steady lunar to go straight, orange/silver trains need a blinking lunar, and you can watch them turn off to the right from the platform. - Pentagon is a no-photography zone, so you gotta be discreet - on the long stretch from King to Van Dorn, you pass by the Alexandria Yard. There's also Great Waves Waterpark by where it crosses Cameron Run, but due to vegetation you won't get a view of the waterslides from a train when the park is in open season

[@andyontrack]

These are great bonus secrets, thank you for sharing!

[@kinkisharyocoasters]

@@andyontrack also many tourists assume smithsonian is the best station for air and space but l'enfant or maybe even fcsw is closer. I dont know about if natural history is closer to triangle than smithsonian. Of course in this area it's like the paris metro, all in close proximity

[@ethanparker7900]

the close proximity of those stations you mentioned is similar to how Minnesota Ave and Deanwood and Mt. Vernon Square and Shaw Howard and Mclean and Tysons Corner and Greensboro and Spring Hill and Brookland and Fort Totten are so close you can see one from the other standing on its platform @@kinkisharyocoasters

[@deirdretaylor3105]

More videos please 😢

[@toxiboi5771]

Please do the Orange line next!

[@madhavjhunjhunwala3340]

pls make a video on the silver line 👍

[@nbatrons]

Do Secrets on the green line

[@muricaball]

Yeah he might so that

[@jaygatling1977]

You missed the Shrimp Boat at Benning Road Station

[@kimpossibleyescruelladevil4960]

Next, could you DO secrets of the Silver line

[@muricaball]

He's commenting on other comments that request other lines, he said they might do the green line next

[@orenstransitpage]

Great work again! I can confirm for you that the escalators at Federal Triangle are the shortest in the system. Mention of the original plan to have separate Franconia and Springfield stations (as well as a stop at what is now the Backlick Road VRE station) would have been nice. You can save this for the Yellow Line video but it would be worth mentioning that Franconia-Springfield was meant to be the Yellow Line terminal and the Blue Line was going to terminate at Huntington. Also potentially worth mentioning in the Orange Line video is the round-robin Blue/Orange service that operated briefly before the segment south of National Airport was opened. Potomac Yard is the only station in the system where the word "station" appears on the platform signage in the way that it does on the pylons outside of stations. It is also the only station with bus departure countdown clocks inside the station itself, and the first station to be built with side platforms since West Hyattsville and PG Plaza opened in 1993. In addition to the recent renaming of the Largo station, a number of other stations also had different names during the station planning phases. Morgan Boulevard was going to be Summerfield. Federal Center SW was going to be Voice of America. Eastern Market was going to be Marine Barracks. You didn't address the urban myth about why the Metro doesn't go to Georgetown, I guess you can save that for the Orange Line. Had the Arlington Cemetery station not been constructed (I believe it was a somewhat later addition to the ARS plans, Sandbox John can probably confirm this for me), the Blue Line would have had TWO instances where trains would run on the surface or on an elevated structure between underground stations. So long as the Oklahoma Avenue station is never actually built (though it has been proposed at various times over the years), the Stadium-Armory to Benning Road segment is the only place on the Metro where this happens. National Airport was not only the terminal of the Blue Line until Van Dorn Street opened in 1991, but it was also the terminal of the Yellow Line for a few months in 1983. Due to the station layout, it was not uncommon to see two trains moving through the station in the same direction on different tracks simultaneously. In addition, the DCA plane to train connection is praised for its convenience, but for the first 20 years of that station's existence, the connection was anything but. The station was situated so that it could be adjacent to the new terminal that had been planned for some time once constructed, but it was quite distant from the original terminal (and the interim terminal that was situated more or less where the E gates are now located that operated from the late 80s/early 90s until "Terminal 2" opened in 1997. The northern canopy at King Street was not constructed until the mid-2000s or so, coinciding with the construction of the station's northern entrance. King Street is also one of several stations in very close proximity to the boundary stones that marked the original border of the District of Columbia (the others are Takoma and Southern Avenue). Photography (and by extension, videography) are technically illegal at Pentagon due to the station being located on land controlled by the Department of Defense.

[@andyontrack]

Thanks so much for these extra secrets! Happy to hear that the escalators at Federal Triangle are indeed the shortest on the system. It was great meeting you at the streetcar tour :)

[@adambrown9019]

Please do this for the silver line

[@entertainmenttv5201]

Can you do Baltimore subway