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| (1627109) | |
PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023 In July of 2014, the Washington DC Metro (WMATA) debuted the first phase of its Silver Line to Dulles Airport and Loudon County and I was on the first non-VIP westbound train to depart West Falls Church. Eight years later it was finally time to open the second phase and despite a poorly chosen schedule and awful weather I managed the same feat except I managed to get on the VIP train. To learn the story you can read on or check out the full gallery here ( mirror ).In 2014, the first phase opening was scheduled for a weekend morning which made it pretty easy to attend. Unfortunately the phase 2 opening was set for the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, which required me having to leave work early and make and catch a train with 7k car #7694 at Greenbelt.  Pacing a CSX intermodal train on the adjacent Capitol Sub west of Greenbelt. The on board maps had already been updated. The phase 2 segment would open a total of six stations between Wiehle-Reston and Ashburn including flagship stop at Dulles International Airport.  The other problem was the absolutely abysmal weather. Mid-November is always cool, but this day was outright cold with a miserable drizzle that never let up and blocked the waning late afternoon sun. Here we find 6k car #6120 that due to service cutbacks wound up leading the final "Phase 1" arrival at Wiehle-Reston.   The plan for a VIP train to depart Wiehle-Reston at the proscribed time and run express to Ashburn at which the first two revenue trains would begin their journeys. As you can see here the Ashburn express is showing on the track #2 departure board, however the "classic style" 6k trainset was occupying track #2.  Of course the Metro brass wasn't going to put the VIP's on a "classic" style train and I think the plan was to pull the 6k into the pocket and replace it with another 7k set, but then the VIP ceremony was delayed by about 20 minutes and the decision was made to use the 7k set led by #7646 on track 1 and cross it over via the Wiehle-Reston pocket track.  The VIP train, dubbed the Silver Ticket Express, was intended for both VIPs and a group of 50 regular riders chosen by lottery. I had been expecting a degree of access control, but when the ribbon-cutting participants finished up with their thing and marched down to the platform, the 7k train on track #1 was just sitting there with all of its doors open like any other. Being announced as "Ashburn express departing on track #1" I decided to just get on the front car that was only populated by a pair of "winning" railfans.   Although one of the two fans was able to finagle his GoPro up on the front window I did my best to document the express run zooming through both front windows. The results weren't great due to the rain, but I still managed to capture the express-ness. Unfortunately the train had to reduce speed through the stations and was held to 45mph to reach Ashburn on schedule.  #7646 at Ashburn, which had that new station smell. Unfortunately the vast majority of railfans had chosen to take the first inbound train from Ashburn and when I arrived they had already run out of pennants.   The WMATA GM was taking photos with some of the actual Silver Ticket winners before piling back on the same trainset, not led by 7k car #7568, for a revenue run back towards DC.   The front car was packed full of VIP's, railfans and press.  I struck out on pennants at Herndon, but found #2064 instead.  I finally managed to find a supply of pennants at Innovation Center, one of which is seen here with my Silver Line Phase 1 commemorative SmarTrip card. I had purchased the card at Wiehle-Reston in 2014 and it still had its initial $10 value that I was able to use for my Phase 2 fare!  Of course I had to go check out the new Dulles Airport station.    Heading back inbound on #6118, I was trying to meet up with Sandbox John from the Subchat Message board.  I didn't locate John, but I did run into the WMATA GM again at Herndon Station where he was having a chat with one of the first Dulles riders, a United pilot who had not only been aware of the opening time, but made a point to use the new service.  Healthy opening day crowds with their Metro swag bags at Herndon.  Daylight was fading quickly and with a 90 minute travel time back to Greenbelt, I decided to call it a day. Here is #3268 at L'Enfant Plaza along with #6083, leading my eastbound Green Line train.   I'll close things out with this cab speed indication on the #2 signal at L'Enfant Plaza.  Next time its back to RBMN country to bag more searchlights. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Easy on Wed Nov 8 23:58:34 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. Nice. You were able to capture some train shots while you stalked the GM. 😂 |
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| (1627111) | |
Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by jimmymc25 on Thu Nov 9 02:49:43 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. Nice! |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by randyo on Thu Nov 9 05:42:11 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. What sort of pseudo RFW do the 7000s have? |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Avid Reader on Thu Nov 9 07:31:02 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. Great reporting and photos!I'll never get to the D.C. area in this lifetime, but would love to see the 6K and/or 7K cars shuttle on the LIRR Atlantic Ave Line from Jamaica Terminal station to Brooklyn through Montaque Tunnel, Chambers St, and over The Manhattan Bridge, back to Jamaica Terminal. If there are no clearance problems. |
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| (1627118) | |
Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Sand Box John on Thu Nov 9 07:56:32 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. Sand Box John meet up with Scott Kozel at Ashburn and road the first train revenue train to Wiehle - Reston East then returned back to Ashburn stopping at each station to inspect and photograph the paid areas. At Dulles Airport we exited and went to the terminal. After visiting the terminal we reentered and continued are inspecting and photographing of remaining stations. Left Ashburn to head home to the Sand Box around 5:30 PM.Here are the two favorite pictures I took on opening day:  Ashburn bound train departing Herndon.  Ashburn bound train entering Dulles Airport station. The signal in the interlocking on the north end of the L'Enfant Plaza station is actually identified as F03 02 as every crossover interlocking has an 02 signal. The 02 signal is always on track 1 in the normal direction travel in crossover interlockings. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Thu Nov 9 07:59:06 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Easy on Wed Nov 8 23:58:34 2023. I actually didn't know who he was or why he had this crowd of simps around him. xD |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Thu Nov 9 07:59:39 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by randyo on Thu Nov 9 05:42:11 2023. Like an R160, but no polarization film. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Sand Box John on Thu Nov 9 08:08:03 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by randyo on Thu Nov 9 05:42:11 2023. What sort of pseudo RFW do the 7000s have?Window in full width cab door. Car end bulkhead door is slightly larger.   John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Bill Newkirk on Thu Nov 9 08:09:05 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Sand Box John on Thu Nov 9 07:56:32 2023. Sandbox John, can you e-mail me ?I have a couple of Metrorail pics I need ID's on. Bill M |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Sand Box John on Thu Nov 9 08:50:36 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Bill Newkirk on Thu Nov 9 08:09:05 2023. Sandbox John, can you e-mail me ?I have a couple of Metrorail pics I need ID's on. Bill M Post them hear, or under a new post and I try to identify their location. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by chicagoMotorman on Thu Nov 9 13:28:56 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. You're welcome. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Nov 9 15:43:02 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. Nice coverage. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by randyo on Fri Nov 10 03:13:08 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Thu Nov 9 07:59:39 2023. Sounds better than the R-160. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by New Flyer #857 on Sun Nov 12 08:25:50 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. I can't get over how far apart some of these stations are. The Silver Line, especially Phase II but also much of Phase I is very reminiscent of Vancouver's SkyTrain (with a set of large buildings and a station popping up after every couple of miles and just highway/houses in between). But even compared to SkyTrain, the Silver Line's stations are very, very far apart! They make Howard Beach and Broad Channel seem not that far from one another.Vancouver's SkyTrain is often said to have an eye toward TOD (Transit-Oriented development). Does anyone know if the Silver Line has a similar goal? |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by https://salaamallah.com/ on Sun Nov 12 11:30:40 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. NICEGREAT XLNT PHOTOS / VIDEOS ENJOYED 3000 MILES AWAY |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by MainR3664 on Mon Nov 13 07:17:19 2023, in response to PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by Jersey Mike on Wed Nov 8 22:38:59 2023. Thank you for sharing!! So is this it? Is the project complete yet? |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by New Flyer #857 on Mon Nov 13 07:55:42 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by MainR3664 on Mon Nov 13 07:17:19 2023. If it goes much further out, it would need to become a railroad line or something. . .it's almost an hour between the line's first stop at Ashburn and the very first station inside DC (Foggy Bottom).Granted, I did the ride from Dulles to the city center off a flight with luggage and while it's long, it's mostly because it's far and not the train's fault. Long walk from baggage claim to train but the moving walkways / elevators did the job. And no airport surcharge (just the distance-based fare of only $6 which is very good for airport-downtown nowadays). It was one of the more pleasant flight-to-train-to-city experiences I had. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by New Flyer #857 on Mon Nov 13 07:57:55 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by New Flyer #857 on Mon Nov 13 07:55:42 2023. Just to add, infill stations (new stations built between two existing ones) have been talked about and I would bet we do end up seeing one or two. The stations as I said in another post are sooooo far apart that with any interest by developers such infill can happen. But of course, the overall ride would become longer and then probably exceed an hour between the western extremities and Washington itself. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Avid Reader on Mon Nov 13 10:17:10 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by New Flyer #857 on Mon Nov 13 07:57:55 2023. Maybe not.Some infill stations may be added with an additional track siding and allow for "express" service or just blow right through. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Sand Box John on Wed Nov 15 09:23:28 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by New Flyer #857 on Sun Nov 12 08:25:50 2023. I can't get over how far apart some of these stations are. The Silver Line, especially Phase II but also much of Phase I is very reminiscent of Vancouver's SkyTrain (with a set of large buildings and a station popping up after every couple of miles and just highway/houses in between). But even compared to SkyTrain, the Silver Line's stations are very, very far apart! They make Howard Beach and Broad Channel seem not that far from one another.Vancouver's SkyTrain is often said to have an eye toward TOD (Transit-Oriented development). Does anyone know if the Silver Line has a similar goal? The Washington Metro is a rapid rail transit system without local local tracks. As to "large buildings and a station popping up after every couple of miles and just highway/houses in between)" The 4 stations in Tysons Corner are surround by commercial development that has existed for more then 50 years. Much of the older low rise development is or is in the process of being replaced by high rise commercial and residential development. The areas between Falls Church and Tysons Corner and Tysons Corner the east side of Reston is single family homes with Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts roughly half way between Tysons Corner and Reston. The areas along the Dulles Corridor from the east side of Reston to Dulles Airport has been a mix of low rise commercial, multi and single family residential for more then 45 years. The commercial development near the Loudon Gateway station is mostly light industry, the remaining undeveloped areas are being of have been developed for use as data centers. The only place where it has gone from corn fields transit oriented development is at Ashburn. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
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Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II |
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Posted by Sand Box John on Wed Nov 15 09:32:46 2023, in response to Re: PHOTOS: SILVER LINE PHASE II, posted by New Flyer #857 on Mon Nov 13 07:57:55 2023. Just to add, infill stations (new stations built between two existing ones) have been talked about and I would bet we do end up seeing one or two. The stations as I said in another post are sooooo far apart that with any interest by developers such infill can happen. But of course, the overall ride would become longer and then probably exceed an hour between the western extremities and Washington itself.There are provision for an infill station at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. As to placing infill stations at other points along Silver line, I see that as highly unlikely because of long established land use polices. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
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