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Long Bridge Park in Arlington, VA.??

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  • Member since
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  • From: NS Main Line at MP12 Blairsville,Pa
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Long Bridge Park in Arlington, VA.??
Posted by conrailman on Saturday, May 28, 2016 10:38 AM

I am think about going down to Long Bridge Park in Arlington, VA next year in 2017. Do they have seats to watch trains?? long the park. Sit & Watch trains for hours. Is long Bridge Park is Safe to sit there for Hour. Is Hotels near this Park, where stay and walk or should take a Cab to park?? What else should i know.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: NS Main Line at MP12 Blairsville,Pa
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Posted by conrailman on Saturday, May 28, 2016 6:40 PM

Anyone been too this park in feature in trains Maz few years ago.

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Posted by FriendofLongBridgePark on Sunday, May 29, 2016 3:11 PM

Train Pic from Long Bridge Park

I am Pres. of the Friends of Long Bridge Park and live nearby.

1) To get the best view of the trains, you do have to stand. A few feet away are some concrete benches. 

2) The park is open when the lights are on or sunrise. This is 6am (or sunrise) to 11pm. The park is patrolled by police and we have not had a problem since the park was open.  Please note the large police presence because of the Pentagon and National Airport.

3) Several hotels are close (less than a mile). For example, the Crown Plaza and the Doubletree are within 2 blocks.

4) While there is a parking lot, the Crystal City Metro is about 1/2 mile away. The Arlington County bus 92 does come from the Metro to the park (but this is likely to change in the coming year).  For the 4th of July, most people take the Metro and walk. There are also two bike stations (you rent a bike for a hour and can pick up or drop the bike off at the park).

5) The Park is free and used for many soccer/lacrosse and other sports. 

6) Major Trains that come by are Amtrack, VRE and CSX freight trains. In addition, CSX is often around this area doing track work. 

7) While you are there, other things to take pictures are airplanes, Bald Eagles and helicopters. Osprey (both the planes and the birds) are common. 

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  • From: NS Main Line at MP12 Blairsville,Pa
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Posted by conrailman on Monday, May 30, 2016 10:44 PM

I can't Believe anyone has not been to this Park in Arlington, VA Long Bridge Park??

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 8:04 AM

conrailman

I can't Believe anyone has not been to this Park in Arlington, VA Long Bridge Park??

You've got a fairly small sample of rail enthusiasts here, and from all over the world.  I don't get to the DC area all the frequently, but might well add it to my list of places to visit next time I'm there.

I'm sure many others here would consider doing likewise.  Have you been to Deshler or Fostoria?

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Warren J on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 9:47 AM

Another great place to train-watch is from the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station platform at Crystal City.  There is bench seating there as well as being under a roof.  Adding to that, all of the restaurants (and restrooms) located in Crystal City plus the METRO are all easily accessible from this platform.  Long Bridge is about 1/4 mile north of this location but having used the VRE station on many occasions, I prefer it versus walking to the park.  As there is no weekend service on the VRE, the platform offers plenty of room for photo ops during those days (unless you want to see VRE operations during weekday rush hours but be ready for crowds of commuters).

“Things of quality have no fear of time.”

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Thursday, June 2, 2016 9:11 PM

FriendofLongBridgePark

Train Pic from Long Bridge Park

I am Pres. of the Friends of Long Bridge Park and live nearby.

1) To get the best view of the trains, you do have to stand. A few feet away are some concrete benches. 

2) The park is open when the lights are on or sunrise. This is 6am (or sunrise) to 11pm. The park is patrolled by police and we have not had a problem since the park was open.  Please note the large police presence because of the Pentagon and National Airport.

3) Several hotels are close (less than a mile). For example, the Crown Plaza and the Doubletree are within 2 blocks.

4) While there is a parking lot, the Crystal City Metro is about 1/2 mile away. The Arlington County bus 92 does come from the Metro to the park (but this is likely to change in the coming year).  For the 4th of July, most people take the Metro and walk. There are also two bike stations (you rent a bike for a hour and can pick up or drop the bike off at the park).

5) The Park is free and used for many soccer/lacrosse and other sports. 

6) Major Trains that come by are Amtrack, VRE and CSX freight trains. In addition, CSX is often around this area doing track work. 

7) While you are there, other things to take pictures are airplanes, Bald Eagles and helicopters. Osprey (both the planes and the birds) are common. 

Thanks for that info.  With a little (very little !) searching I found:

 http://longbridgepark.org/ 

https://parks.arlingtonva.us/locations/long-bridge-park/ 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/arlingtons-long-bridge-park-goes-from-pcbs-and-trash-to-soccer-fields-and-cherry-trees/2011/11/22/gIQAEPDJMO_story.html 

https://www.mapquest.com/search/results?query=5546%20Old%20Jefferson%20Davis%20Hwy,%20Arlington,%20Va%2022202&centerOnResults=1 

From the above link: 3176 - 3198 Jefferson Davis Hwy., OLD Question, Arlington, VA  22202-4012  

- Paul North. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)

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