* MARC * MARC * MARC *

[al-in-chgo]

(Sorry for the yelling.)  I'm thinking of a trip to the Washington D.C. area in about a month and was spending some time on a Maryland Area Rail Corp.[??] site last night.  (Actually it was the site for the all of Southern Maryland public transit, but never mind.) 

The site ran MARC FAQ's, and there sure were some indignant questions!  Many of the most indignant of all centered around the Brunswick (westbound) line:  slow CSX trains on the line ahead and other service indignities, as well as questions about why there couldn't be more rush-hour trains.

The MARC people answered the FAQ's as best they could, I'm sure, but for those who ride it or know about it, how bad is the Brunswick Line anyway?  And have the rehabbed Chicago gallery cars taken over ops altogether; that is, have they totally phased out Marc I and Marc II which I gather were "plain old" single-level cars?  I was saddened in my research that it looks as though I cannot "do" Harpers Ferry as a.m. out, p.m. back. 

If you have comments or suggestions about the MARC Penn Line and the other one, the ex-B&O line, I'd welcome them.  I'm curious about VRE, too, but that's another post.

Thanks, allen

___________

  (al-in-chgo) 

[fifedog]

Hey, Al.  Where were you thinking of staying?  ...and are you riding to DC on the CAPITOL LIMITED?

[Anonymous]

There is no weekend service out to brunswick MD that I know of

[al-in-chgo]

Hey, Al.  Where were you thinking of staying?  ...and are you riding to DC on the CAPITOL LIMITED?

Thanks for asking.  We plan to drive in and then "abandon" the car in favor of public transit to take us where we go, and for fan traveling in and of itself. 

One contributor has mentioned a hotel that is close enough to the College Park MARC stop to provide a free shuttle.  Something like that -- not too expensive -- and walking distance to a Metro, MARC or VRE stop might be even better. 

 

[fifedog]

In that case, there are a ton of great railfan spots along the MET, and MARC stops at a lot of them, but it is not a daylong transit system like DC's METRO.  But since you're bringing your car, is there any points of interest you'd really like to see?

[al-in-chgo]

In that case, there are a ton of great railfan spots along the MET, and MARC stops at a lot of them, but it is not a daylong transit system like DC's METRO.  But since you're bringing your car, is there any points of interest you'd really like to see?

Actually, I've been to Dee Cee numerous times, but not in the last ten years.  So this is a time to re-connect with friends and perhaps see some of the things I've missed over the years.  I'd like to see some of the Civil War sites around Fredericksburg, VA; so if the VRE can't get me there we can always drive.  I sure don't like driving in the area, though, esp. not in the District.  And I am open to suggestions! 

 

[fifedog]

If it's Civil War sites (with rail nearby), and within an hour's drive, head northwest from DC.  Monocacy battlefield near Frederick Jct.  The Civil War Medicine Museum near Hagerstown.  Antietam battlefield and Sheperdstown.  And there's also Harpers Ferry.  You could hit all of these in a full day.

[al-in-chgo]

If it's Civil War sites (with rail nearby), and within an hour's drive, head northwest from DC.  Monocacy battlefield near Frederick Jct.  The Civil War Medicine Museum near Hagerstown.  Antietam battlefield and Sheperdstown.  And there's also Harpers Ferry.  You could hit all of these in a full day.

These are very helpful locations and I am grateful to you. However, if I am reading VRE and Amtrak skeds correctly, it isn't possible to commute "out" in the morning and "back" (into D.C.) in the afternoon.  Perhaps we should just stay somewhere in Maryland and commute into D.C. for visiting, etc.  - 

But never mind, all these suggestions are great because I am building up a cache of options.  - a. s.

[fifedog]

When I travel into DC, it's 100% rail.  I take Baltimore's MTA Light Rail to Penn Station.  Catch the last MARC AM train via the PENN LINE to Union Station.  From there, it's a few loooooong blocks worth a walking to all the Museums.  Or hail a cab or tour vehicle to take you around.  Then, it's back to Union Station, where my round trip ticket gets me onboard a CAMDEN LINE train (so I'm traveling the old PRR to, and the old B&O from DC).  Then I catch the light rail north out of Baltimore to my car. 

If it's VA your truley longing for, I highly recommend a night at the Henry Clay Inn (NOTE:not cheap, but worth it...) in Ashland, VA.  You would be between Fredericksburg and Richmond.

[daveklepper]

And don't forget that Ashland has the center-of-main-street main line of CSX's old RF&P doiuble-track main connector, with all the Amtrak Florida trains and plenty of freights as well to photograph  --- on the street!

[al-in-chgo]

This is all very interesting and helpful, guys.  Please keep posting!   

 

[Scum Mudd]

DC is train heaven to me.  When traveling to DC, I take the Crescent from Greensboro or Charlotte, and the Metro everywhere around town.  VRE and MARC are great options, too. 

Ashland is train watcher heaven!  Great little station, tons of action! 

[al-in-chgo]

I should have mentioned before, that I also welcome suggestions as to where I could spend a couple of nights in the D.C. area that is quite convenient to the Metro, VRE or MARC.  Particularly if the parking is free! 

 

[Scum Mudd]

There is a great new Hampton Inn near the Metro Station in Laurel.  It is a fairly short walk, and I think the hotel might even have a shuttle to the Metro.  It is near great shopping and great restaurants.  (I am a sucker for Uno's pizza.  There is one near the Laurel station, but the best Uno's is in Union Station!) 

[al-in-chgo]

There is a great new Hampton Inn near the Metro Station in Laurel.  It is a fairly short walk, and I think the hotel might even have a shuttle to the Metro.  It is near great shopping and great restaurants.  (I am a sucker for Uno's pizza.  There is one near the Laurel station, but the best Uno's is in Union Station!) 

Thank you, that sounds really good!  - al

 

[Phoebe Vet]

I should have mentioned before, that I also welcome suggestions as to where I could spend a couple of nights in the D.C. area that is quite convenient to the Metro, VRE or MARC.  Particularly if the parking is free! 

 

Al:

When I go to DC I stay at the Days Inn in Capitol Heights.  It is only a couple of blocks from a Metro Station and is half the cost of one in DC.

There is a Motel 6 across the parking lot from them.  I only made THAT mistake once ... rofl.

[JFdez]

There is a great new Hampton Inn near the Metro Station in Laurel.  It is a fairly short walk, and I think the hotel might even have a shuttle to the Metro.  It is near great shopping and great restaurants.  (I am a sucker for Uno's pizza.  There is one near the Laurel station, but the best Uno's is in Union Station!) 

 Uh... some clarification might be in order, as there is no Metro station in Laurel, Maryland.  There are numerous MARC commuter rail stations in the area, including one on Laurel's Main Street, but the nearest Metro station is Greenbelt, which is a ways south and slightly east of Laurel.  New Carrolton station is a little further east from Greenbelt. 

[Amtrak77]

There is a great new Hampton Inn near the Metro Station in Laurel.  It is a fairly short walk, and I think the hotel might even have a shuttle to the Metro.  It is near great shopping and great restaurants.  (I am a sucker for Uno's pizza.  There is one near the Laurel station, but the best Uno's is in Union Station!) 

 Uh... some clarification might be in order, as there is no Metro station in Laurel, Maryland.  There are numerous MARC commuter rail stations in the area, including one on Laurel's Main Street, but the nearest Metro station is Greenbelt, which is a ways south and slightly east of Laurel.  New Carrolton station is a little further east from Greenbelt. 

Yea but a personal note: Advoid greenbelt if you can..especially at night!?  DC is the devil's backyard ya know

[JFdez]

There is a great new Hampton Inn near the Metro Station in Laurel.  It is a fairly short walk, and I think the hotel might even have a shuttle to the Metro.  It is near great shopping and great restaurants.  (I am a sucker for Uno's pizza.  There is one near the Laurel station, but the best Uno's is in Union Station!) 

 Uh... some clarification might be in order, as there is no Metro station in Laurel, Maryland.  There are numerous MARC commuter rail stations in the area, including one on Laurel's Main Street, but the nearest Metro station is Greenbelt, which is a ways south and slightly east of Laurel.  New Carrolton station is a little further east from Greenbelt. 

Yea but a personal note: Advoid greenbelt if you can..especially at night!?  DC is the devil's backyard ya know

Well, although the potential for crime (personal or property) exists at just about every metro station with a large parking lot (and Greenbelt has a big lot), I can't think of any particular reason to single out Greenbelt.  It's no less safe than any other suburban station.  I've patronized the Greenbelt station many times, including more than a few evenings, and have never encountered problems or concerns. 

Juan

[amsr]

Check out this website:

http://www.frograil.com/railroad/dc.htm



DC sees a lot of CSX freight traffic such as the tropicana juice train. Theres a lot of spots, they are covered pretty well in the website I posted so I won't go into a ton of detail. As far as passenger action, Union station is the place to be. All the commuter roads terminate there, and then theres the electrified NEC.

All MARC trains run M-F only, Amtrak runs 7 days. Also if you are up to taking a ride to Baltimore, there is a lot to see there too. The B&O RR museum is there, and theres a decent amount of railfanning to be done in the various port areas. The Inner Harbour is a pretty cool place to hang out now too. A lot of building has been going on there, lots of restaurants, things to do, etc...

[amsr]

Oh yeah check out these too:

This one covers the CSX tracks on the VA side..
http://www.frograil.com/tours/csx/WashingtonRichmond.htm

These cover the ex BO spots in and around DC, some overlap with the "DC" page I posted above.
http://www.frograil.com/tours/csx/BOHarpersFerry-DC.htm
http://www.frograil.com/tours/csx/CSXOldMainLine.htm
http://www.frograil.com/tours/csx/BaltimoreWashington.htm

[Scum Mudd]

My bad! Largo, MD is the place I was thinking of.  I travel all  over for a living and sometimes the names run together.

Largo Town Center is the Metro station.  Good, safe spot.

[JFdez]

My bad! Largo, MD is the place I was thinking of.  I travel all  over for a living and sometimes the names run together.

Largo Town Center is the Metro station.  Good, safe spot.

 Ah, that makes more sense.  That area has turned out rather nice after some smart development.

 Juan

[Amtrak77]

There is a great new Hampton Inn near the Metro Station in Laurel.  It is a fairly short walk, and I think the hotel might even have a shuttle to the Metro.  It is near great shopping and great restaurants.  (I am a sucker for Uno's pizza.  There is one near the Laurel station, but the best Uno's is in Union Station!) 

 Uh... some clarification might be in order, as there is no Metro station in Laurel, Maryland.  There are numerous MARC commuter rail stations in the area, including one on Laurel's Main Street, but the nearest Metro station is Greenbelt, which is a ways south and slightly east of Laurel.  New Carrolton station is a little further east from Greenbelt. 

Yea but a personal note: Advoid greenbelt if you can..especially at night!?  DC is the devil's backyard ya know

Well, although the potential for crime (personal or property) exists at just about every metro station with a large parking lot (and Greenbelt has a big lot), I can't think of any particular reason to single out Greenbelt.  It's no less safe than any other suburban station.  I've patronized the Greenbelt station many times, including more than a few evenings, and have never encountered problems or concerns. 

Juan

I was talking about the policticans and the congressmen getting on and off the trains but the crime rate it up there too

[al-in-chgo]

I've waiting too long to thank all you wonderful people for your sage advice. 

Note to Amtrak 77: 

Are you alluding to what I think you're alluding? Cook County, Illinois (just outside Chicago) has Forest Preserves....

'nuf said, allen

 

[zardoz]

Perhaps irrelevant and/or too late:

There is an E9 locomotive in BN green & white lettered for MARC (number boards missing) parked at the WSOR yard in Horicon.

There are also about 12 ex-Metra (ex-CNW) bi-level coaches parked south of hwy 33 south of Horicon yard.

[al-in-chgo]

Perhaps irrelevant and/or too late:

There is an E9 locomotive in BN green & white lettered for MARC (number boards missing) parked at the WSOR yard in Horicon.

There are also about 12 ex-Metra (ex-CNW) bi-level coaches parked south of hwy 33 south of Horicon yard.

If the EMD is the one I'm thinking of, it was the last BN-colored passenger engine on the Racetrak; some say the last E9 extant but I doubt that.  It remained in commuter revenue service on the racetrack into the Metra years, and apparently was never repainted.  Did you log the engine's number? - a.s.

As for the gallery cars, perhaps they are being held for emergency purposes (Katrina-like evacuation)?  I don't know who owns them; isn't their location in Wisconsin?  Maybe they're too good to throw away and could be successfully rehabbed and/or sold cheap to a fledgling commuter service like Nashville's.

 

 

[GP40_4333]

The MARC "E9" was used as a protect cab car, no guts in it. Sat for long stretches, don't know when they last used it.

 The Nat'l Civil War Medicine is in downtown Frederick, which has MARC service off of the Brunswick Line but is geared for commuters.

If you ride the MARC's Camden Line (B&O Washington Sub) it is historically significant as possibly the earlier exorbitant state tax (25% per ticket) unrelated to any service or cost to the gov't.  So began a fine tradition.

 

Roger H