Alexandria Extension
The Alexandria Extension is a short rail line in Washington, D.C. and Prince George's County, Maryland. Its northern portion connects the Capital Subdivision to the RF&P Subdivision, allowing freight trains to avoid Downtown Washington. Its southern portion, the Shepherd Industrial Spur, extends south to Shepherds Landing, directly across the Potomac River from Alexandria, Virginia; service on this portion ended in 2001.
It is currently part of CSX Transportation's Capital Subdivision.[1]
Route description
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The Alexandria Extension runs south 7.2 miles (11.6 km) from a junction in
Its southern portion, the Shepherd Industrial Spur, continues running alongside the Anacostia Freeway until it reaches Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling. It then travels within the grounds of the Base, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. Tracks have been removed along some portions of this route.
History
In 1870, the B&O railroad had its exclusive access to the
In 1873-1874, the B&O had the WC&PL lay 12.5 miles (20.1 km) of track from
For many years the junction at Hyattsville, called Alexandria Junction, was controlled by JD Tower. B&O built its first
The ferry operation was discontinued in 1906 when the B&O obtained
During
The original track from the junction at Anacostia Bridge to Shepherds Landing became known as the Shepherd Branch. This
Plans were made to reuse the track as part of the Anacostia Line of the DC Streetcar, but this did not occur.
References
- ^ CSX Baltimore Division Timetable
- ^ a b c Schaller, Mike (2001). "The History of Baltimore & Ohio's Shepherd Branch". Classic Trains.
- ^ "An Act to authorize the Washington City and Point Lookout Railroad Company to extend a Railroad into and within the District of Columbia" (PDF). Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON AND ALEXANDRIA BRANCH ROAD". The Baltimore Sun. 9 August 1873.
- ^ "B&O Alexandria Branch". Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "LETTER FROM WASHINGTON: The Evangelical Alliance--Swedenborgians--The Financial Situation--Freaks of the Lightning-The Slatter Murder Trial--Local Items". The Baltimore Sun. 6 October 1873.
- ^ Report of the President and Directors to the Stockholders. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. 1896. p. 25.
- ^ JDTower.org Archived July 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 2009-12-24.
- ^ National Railway Historical Society, Washington, D.C. Chapter. "Timeline of Washington, D.C. Railroad History." Archived 2011-06-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 2010-08-21.