Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

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The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park is a popular and unusually-shaped regional park in Northern Virginia. The park's primary feature is the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail (abbreviated as W&OD Trail), an asphalt-surfaced paved rail trail that runs through densely populated urban and suburban communities as well as through rural areas.^[1] Most of the trail travels on top of the rail bed of the former Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, which closed in 1968.^[2]

Although the park is 44.7 miles (71.9 km) long, it is only about 100 feet (30 m) wide. The rail trail is approximately 10 feet (3.0 m) wide through much of its length and is suitable for walking, running, cycling, and roller skating. A crushed bluestone surfaced bridle path travels near the paved trail in the park's last 32 miles (51 km).^[3]

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) administers and maintains the park and its trails. NVRPA keeps most of the parkland surrounding the trails in a natural state. The park authority has placed alongside the paved trail a series of mile markers and a number of interpretative exhibits that describe the historic and natural features of the park.^[4][5]

The headquarters office of the park is near the east side of the trail at Smith's Switch Road near Ashburn.^[6] A park rest stop is adjacent to the trail near the park's headquarters.

[edit] Trail route

W&OD Trail Elevation Map

The W&OD Trail begins near the Nauck neighborhood in the Shirlington section of Arlington County, close to the boundary between the County and the City of Alexandria.^[7] The trail ends in Purcellville in western Loudoun County. Its route largely parallels the routes of the Potomac River and Virginia State Route 7 (VA Route 7).

The trail connects at its origin to the paved Four Mile Run Trail, which travels eastward through Arlington along a stream embankment to meet the Mount Vernon Trail at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, near the Potomac River. The start of the trail is also accessible from the Shirlington exit (Exit 6) of Interstate 395 (I-395) (the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway).

The trailhead (Mile 0) is at the intersection of South Shirlington Road and South Four Mile Run Drive.^[8] The trail starts at its lowest elevation (141 feet (43 m) above sea level).^[9]

The trail first climbs 195 feet (59 m) while traveling northwest through Arlington County for 5.9 miles (9.5 km). While in Arlington, the trail follows Four Mile Run upstream in a valley that contains the stream's fall line. The trail crosses the Run seven times on bridges whose abutments were constructed before the Civil War by the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad, a predecessor of the W&OD Railroad.

The W&OD Trail parallels the more curving and hilly Four Mile Run Trail in its route through Arlington. Although they coincide in several locations, the two trails generally travel on opposite sides of the Run. There are no restrooms and few water fountains alongside the W&OD Trail in the County. Restrooms and additional water fountains are available near ball fields and picnic areas along the Four Mile Run Trail.

After leaving Arlington, the trail continues to climb while traveling northwest through Falls Church until reaching an elevation of 440 feet (130 m) near its crossings of I-66 and the Capital Beltway (I-495) in Fairfax County. After passing Dunn Loring, the trail travels through downtown Vienna while descending to an elevation of 250 feet (76 m) at its crossing of Difficult Run (Mile 14.3) in Fairfax County.

The trail then ascends and descends when traveling between stream crossings as it travels through or near Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn, and Leesburg. When crossing S. King Street in downtown Leesburg (Mile 34.4), the trail's elevation is 6 feet (1.8 m) lower than the highest elevation that it reached in Arlington.

After leaving downtown Leesburg, the trail climbs 280 feet (85 m) northwest in 3.8 miles (6.1 km) to reach its highest elevation (610 feet (190 m)) at the summit of Clarks Gap in Catoctin Mountain. Near this point (Mile 38.2), the trail travels under an old stone arch that formerly carried VA Route 7 over the W&OD Railroad.

The trail then turns and travels west through Paeonian Springs and Hamilton. When the trail terminates in Purcellville, its elevation is 564 feet (172 m) above sea level.

[edit] W&OD Trail features

[edit] History of the regional park

When the W&OD Railroad closed in 1968, its 100-foot wide right-of-way extended from Potomac Yard in Alexandria to the center of Purcellville. Soon after the railroad closed, the Virginia Department of Highways purchased the railroad's property from the line's owner, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, with the intent of using a portion of the right-of-way for the construction of Interstate 66 (I-66).^[11][12] Shortly thereafter, the Virginia Electric and Power Company (part of which was incorporated into Dominion Virginia Power in 2000^[13]) purchased most of the property from the highway department, as the company's electric power transmission lines were travelling within the right-of-way.^[14]

The first portion of the W&OD Trail opened in 1974 within the City of Falls Church under a lease agreement between the City government, the power company and NVRPA.^[15] As the trail proved to be popular, NVRPA purchased this and additional segments of the right-of-way from the power company between 1978 and 1982^[16] The power company retained an easement that permitted the company to maintain its lines and to extend them along the right-of-way if needed.

NVRPA was not able to acquire from the power company the portion of the right-of-way that lay within the City of Alexandria. NVRPA also could not acquire the portion of right-of-way that the highway department had retained for construction of I-66 near East Falls Church in Arlington and various portions of the right-of-way that contained existing or potential highway crossings

NVRPA extended the trail east and west of Falls Church as it acquired portions of the right-of-way.^[17] In 1987, the National Park Service designated the trail as a National Recreation Trail^[18]. The trail reached Purcellville in 1988.^[19] After encountering opposition from the public because of its potential environmental impacts, the final section of the trail opened in and near Arlington's Bluemont Park in 2002.^[20][21]

[edit] Historic structures in the regional park

The park and its immediate surroundings contain a number of historic structures, some of which date to the pre-Civil War period.^[22] Most of these structures are railroad remnants, including intact stations^[23] at Vienna^[24], Sunset Hills, Herndon^[25], Hamilton^[26] and Purcellville^[27][28], stone arches and culverts, the piers and abutments of bridges, and a relocated passenger shelter (formerly at Clarks Gap; now at Paeonian Springs).^[29]

Part of the reinforced concrete floor of a brick electrical substation that the railroad constructed in 1912 to help supply power to its new electric locomotives and trolley cars is visible in Arlington County's Bluemont Junction Railroad Display south of Wilson Boulevard.^[30][31] The floor is located in the space between a soccer field and a Southern Railway caboose.^[32]

A partially intact elevated railroad siding remains visible south of the W&OD Trail on private property west of the trail's crossing of Lee Highway (U.S. Route 29) in Arlington. The siding was once adjacent to the west side of the railroad's Falls Church (East Falls Church) station, which was dismantled after the railroad closed.

A white metallic marker post lettered in black with the words "Station 1 Mile" stands on the north side of the trail west of Little Falls Road near the boundary between Arlington and Falls Church. This post, which once stood next to the W&OD Railroad's tracks, is one mile east of the site of the railroad's demolished West Falls Church Station.^[33] The station was located near the east side of the railroad's crossing of W. Broad Street (VA Route 7) in Falls Church.

Concrete abutment of the bridge that carried the Washington-Virginia Railway over the W&OD Railroad near the east end of Vienna

Near the east end of Vienna, the poured concrete abutment of a bridge that carried an interurban trolley line, the Washington-Virginia Railway, over the W&OD Railroad remains on the north side of the trail.^[34] An inscription showing the month and year of the abutment's construction (July 1904) is visible on the structure's east side.

The trail crosses Goose Creek in Loudoun County on a span that NVRPA built on top of the piers and abutments of the highest and longest (268 feet (82 m)) bridge that the railroad constructed within the present boundaries of the regional park.^[35][36] Visitors can view these remnants and the intact span, pier and abutments of the railroad's deck girder bridge over Sycolin Creek from unpaved paths that travel between the streams in NVRPA's Two Creeks Trail Area on the north side of the trail.^[37][38][39].

The Sycolin Creek bridge bears the only remaining span that once carried trains of the W&OD Railroad. As the trail travels on the concrete deck of the bridge, visitors can only see the span and the structures below if they leave the trail.

The piers and abutments of the railroad's bridge over Tuscarora Creek are visible south of the trail near the east end of Leesburg. The bridge was the second longest (149 feet (45 m)) that the railroad built within the present boundaries of the regional park.^[40] The piers and abutments are the only ones along the trail's route that do not presently support a bridge.

Remnants of the facilities of a 19th century lime company are visible in Leesburg on the northeast side of the trail, southeast of Harrison Street SE. Limestone (calcium carbonate) from a company quarry was mixed with coal and burned in a nearby kiln that was adjacent to the railroad's tracks. Quicklime (calcium oxide) was brought out of the kiln through two arched openings that visitors can see from the trail. The company supplied farmers with fertilizer (agricultural lime) and provided builders with plaster for walls and stone for roads.^[41]

At the summit of Clarks Gap, a stone arch crosses over the trail. Constructed around 1867-1868 soon after the end of the Civil War, the masonry arch once carried the original VA Route 7 over the railroad's tracks.^[42][43]

A registration form prepared to support the nomination of the park for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places contains an in-depth description of the park's historical resources and of the railroad's history, as well as maps that show the locations of the park's major historical features.^[44] The form states that the park is eligible for listing on the Register because its property "is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history."^[45]

[edit] Displays and museums along the W&OD Trail

The Norfolk Southern Railway and its predecessors have donated three cabooses for display along the W&OD Trail.^[46] While none of these resemble the cabooses that once travelled along the route of the W&OD Railroad, two of the three cars house exhibits of materials relating to the W&OD Railroad and Trail.

A Southern Railway bay window caboose within the Bluemont Junction Railroad Display in Arlington exhibits photographs, maps and other information related to the County's railroads and trolleys.^[47][48] Staffed by a County park ranger, the caboose is open to the public on weekend afternoons from May through October.^[49] The display also contains outdoor signage and photographs that describe and illustrate the history of the W&OD Railroad and of its junction that once operated at the site of the exhibit.

A cupola caboose in Vienna contains a museum that houses materials that the W&OD Railroad once used. Staffed by members of the Vienna Optimist Club and bearing on its sides the name "WASHINGTON & OLD DOMINION", the caboose is open to the public during the afternoons on selected weekends and holidays.^[50]

The Freeman Store in Vienna houses a museum of the town's history. The museum contains maps, books and other materials that relate to the W&OD Railroad. Operated by Historic Vienna, Inc., the museum is open to the public during the afternoons of each week from Wednesdays through Sundays.^[51]

The W&OD Railroad station in Vienna houses a museum and a model railroad layout. Operated by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, Inc., the museum displays materials that the W&OD Railroad once used and a model of the station as it appeared when steam locomotives stopped at the station. The model railroad and museum is open to the public during the afternoon of one Saturday of each month except June and August.^[52]

An overlook at the Luck Stone Quarry east of Goose Creek displays a large trap rock quarry.^[53] This mineral provides bulk for concrete and macadam.

The W&OD Railroad station in Herndon houses a museum and a visitor center that the Herndon Historical Society, Inc., operates. The museum displays photographs and newspaper articles relating to the history of the Town of Herndon and the W&OD Railroad. The museum also contains materials that the railroad once used. The museum addditionally contains information about the history of a nearby Norfolk Southern Railway cupola caboose whose sides bore the name and logo of the W&OD Railroad and the number 504 in 2008.^[54] The station is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas.^[55]

[edit] Natural resources of the regional park

Most of the landscaping in the park is left in a natural state to preserve green space and to provide wildlife habitat.^[56] Some natural areas within the park are contiguous to larger natural areas in adjacent public parks, including those in and around the Sparrow Pond wetland,^[57][58]Brandymore Castle^[59] and Four Mile Run^[60] in Arlington, Piney Branch and Difficult Run in Fairfax County,^[61] and the confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek in Loudoun County.^[62]

Park interpreters, local teachers, environmental groups and amateur naturalists use the park as a resouce for plant and animal study. These groups have identified approximately 450 species of wildflowers and more than 100 species of birds in the park. Wildlife in the park includes mammals such as foxes, river otters and beavers, and reptiles such as turtles and snakes. A variety of hawks and owls and other resident, non-resident and migratory birds, both upland and aquatic, find habitat in the park.^[63]

[edit] Transmission lines in the regional park

The W&OD Trail lies beneath a set of electric power transmission lines between its trailhead and Dominion Virginia Power's Pleasant View Substation in Loudoun County southeast of Leesburg. The power company removes trees along this section of the trail to protect its lines, at times eliciting protests from members of the public and elected officials in the impacted jurisdictions.^[64] Trees shade much of the remainder of the trail.

In 2004, Dominion Virginia Power announced plans to extend its transmission lines in Loudoun County above ground from the Pleasant View Substation northwestward along the route of the W&OD Trail.^[65] In response, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted on November 15, 2005, a resolution of continued opposition to the installation of the proposed lines. The resolution also called for continued support of underground construction as the preferred method of installation.^[66]

Citing the impending loss of trees along its trail, the NVRPA asked the public on December 13, 2005, to oppose the transmission line project in hearings that the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) was planning to conduct on the proposed project.^[67] During 2005, 2006 and 2007, the NVRPA submitted testimony and briefs to the SCC that opposed the construction of aboveground transmission lines along the route of the trail.^[68]

The SCC nevertheless approved on February 15, 2008, a transmission line route that would travel above ground for 1.8 miles (2.9 km) along a wooded portion of the W&OD Trail between Leesburg and Clarks Gap.^[69][70] Less than three weeks later, on March 4 and March 5, 2008, the Senate and the House of Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed emergency legislation that ordered the SCC to approve the underground construction of the line along that section of the trail as part of a state-wide pilot program for the development of such types of transmission lines. Sponsored by Delegate Joe T. May (Republican - Leesburg), the legislation exempted the project from any requirements for further SCC analyses relating to the impacts of the route, including environmental impacts and impacts upon historical resources. The legislation went into effect when Virginia Governor Tim Kaine approved it on April 2, 2008.^[71]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Description and map of W&OD Trail in NVRPA "Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park" marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington in Arlington County, Virginia. Photographs and description of marker in "Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker page in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
2. ^ History of W&OD Railroad in NVRPA "Tracks into History" marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington in Arlington County, Virginia. Photographs and description of marker in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
3. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 2, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 7 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 24, 2008
4. ^ Direct Testimony of Paul E. McCray, page 6, in NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005, Part 1 of 5, page 37 of 59; obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 21, 2008
5. ^ Photographs and descriptions of some, but not all, NVRPA exhibits along the W&OD Trail are included in the "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
6. ^ Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park page on Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority official website. Accessed March 17, 2008.
7. ^ History of the Nauck neighborhood in NVRPA's "Nauck: A Neighborhood History" marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington in Arlington County, Virginia, in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
8. ^ Photographs and description of the area and markers at the W&OD Trail's trailhead in "Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker page in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
9. ^ Trail elevations from first chart and graphic representation in W&OD Trail Elevations on The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website
10. ^ Mileages from Map of the W&OD page on The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website. Accessed March 17, 2008.
11. ^ Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, pp. 102-103 in Appendix K of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 5 of 5, pages 85-86 of 144); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed April 22, 2008.
12. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 4, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 9 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 25, 2008.
13. ^ Dominion History in Dominion official website Accessed April 22, 2008.
14. ^ Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, page 103 in Appendix K of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 5 of 5, page 86 of 144); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed April 22, 2008.
15. ^ Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, page 108 in Appendix K of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 5 of 5, page 91 of 144); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed April 22, 2008.
16. ^ "Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker page in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Accessed April 22, 2008.
17. ^ Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, page 109 in Appendix K of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 5 of 5, page 92 of 144); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed April 22, 2008.
18. ^ Washington and Old Dominion in National Recreation Trails Database in American Trails official website Accessed April 22, 2008
19. ^ Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, page 109 in Appendix K of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 5 of 5, page 92 of 144); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed April 22, 2008.
20. ^ The final section of the W&OD Trail connected the portion of the trail that is south of Carlin Springs Road to the portion of the trail that is north of the trail's intersection with the Bluemont Junction Trail. The section travels through Arlington's Bluemont Park when approaching the bridge that carries Carlin Springs Road over the trail and Four Mile Run (October 4, 2000, Memorandum to The County Board of Arlington County, Virginia from William T. Donahue, County Manager, "Approval of License Agreement With Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) to Construct and Maintain a Section of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail Along with Related Improvements On County Owned Property (Bluemont Park) for the Public’s Use", William T. Donohue, County Manager, October 4, 2000 in Arlington County Government official website Accessed April 22, 2008.). A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new trail section took place on May 11, 2002 ("Washington & Old Dominion Trail Ribbon Cutting and Tree Planting, 9:30 a.m." in News Release, April 29, 2002: "Arlington to Celebrate Sixth Annual Neighborhood Day May 11" in Arlington County Government official website Accessed April 22, 2008.).
21. ^ "BCA Opposes Bypass Trail Plan" in Bluemont Civic Association newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 1, July 1999 Accessed April 22, 2008.
22. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 4, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 9 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 25, 2008.
23. ^ "Stations Still Standing" in "Remembering The W&OD Railroad" page of "The W&OD Trail" website. Accessed March 28, 2008.
24. ^ NVRPA "Vienna Station" marker near Vienna Station of W&OD Railroad in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
25. ^ NVRPA "Herndon Station" marker near Herndon Station of W&OD Railroad in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
26. ^ Photograph of Hamilton W&OD Railroad Station after closing in Potomac River Greenways website (website under construction) Accessed April 2, 2008.
27. ^ Purcellville Train Station in Town of Purcellville, Virginia, official website Accessed April 2, 2008.
28. ^ Preserving the Train Depot in Purcellville Preservation Association offical website Accessed April 2, 2008.
29. ^ The NVRPA relocated the intact Clarks Gap (Clarkes Gap) passenger shelter of the W&OD Railroad to the former site of the railroad's demolished Paeonian Springs station (see Paeonian Springs Station on Paul McCray's website: "Washington & Old Dominion Railroad,1847 to 1968: A Photographic History" Accessed April 2, 2008.). A photograph entitled "Marker in front of the Shelter Along the Trail" pictures the shelter in a web page that describes NVRPA's "Paeonian Springs Station" marker (in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website) Retrieved March 28, 2008.
30. ^ Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA (description and photograph of electrical substation at Bluemont Junction on pp. 48 and 115) in Appendix K of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (description and photograph of electrical substation at Bluemont Junction in Part 5 of 5, pp. 31 and 97 of 144); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed April 22, 2008
31. ^ "Power House" in display sign illustrating Bluemont Junction between W&OD Trail and substation floor
32. ^ Coordinates of electrical substation floor in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display: 38°52′23″N 77°07′57″W / 38.872958, -77.132521 (Electrical substation floor in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display)
33. ^ "West Falls Church Station" marker at former site of West Falls Church station of W&OD Railroad in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
34. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 5, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 11 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 25, 2008
35. ^ Williams, A.W. (1970), The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, Meridian Sun Press, Alexandria, VA (description and 1960 photograph of Goose Creek bridge in Appendix II, Bridges and Structures)
36. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 5, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 11 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 25, 2008.
37. ^ Two Creeks Trail Area page on Piedmont Environmental Council official website. Accessed March 17, 2008.
38. ^ Coordinates of path to view of piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Goose Creek: 39°04′13″N 77°31′11″W / 39.070379, -77.519703 (Trail to view of piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Goose Creek); Coordinates of path to view of span, piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Sycolin Creek: 39°04′18″N 77°31′17″W / 39.071604, -77.521259 (Trail to view of span, piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Sycolin Creek)
39. ^ Williams, A.W. (1970), The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, Meridian Sun Press, Alexandria, VA (description and 1972 photograph of Sycolin Creek bridge in Appendix II, Bridges and Structures)
40. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 5, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 11 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 25, 2008.
41. ^ NVRPA "The Leesburg Lime Company" marker at site of lime kiln in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved April 3, 2008.
42. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 5, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 11 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 24, 2008.
43. ^ NVRPA "Clarkes Gap" marker at former site of Clarkes Gap (Clarks Gap) station of W&OD Railroad in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Retrieved March 28, 2008.
44. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, pages 1-46 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 24, 2008
45. ^ Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, page 3, in Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 3 of 64); obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 24, 2008
46. ^ "A Quartet of Cabooses" in "Remembering The W&OD Railroad" page of "The W&OD Trail" website. Accessed March 28, 2008.
47. ^ Bluemont Junction Caboose in Arlington County, Virginia, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources official website Accessed March 28, 2008.
48. ^ Photograph of Southern Railway caboose in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display in Swart, R. "Arlington History Ride: A Self-Guided Tour of Arlington, Virginia, USA, for Bikers and Hikers" (2007 version) on Barcroft School and Civic League, Inc. official website Accessed April 2, 2008.
49. ^ Signs on wall and window of caboose in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display, May 2008
50. ^ W&OD Trail Caboose Museum booklet, April 4, 2004, with photograph of caboose on Optimist Club of Vienna, Virginia official website. Accessed March 28, 2008
51. ^ Official website of Historic Vienna, Inc. Accessed March 17, 2008.
52. ^ Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, Inc. home page Accessed March 28, 2008.
53. ^ Leesburg Plant page on Luck Stone Construction Aggregates official website Accessed March 17, 2008.
54. ^ Photograph of Herndon Caboose, by Richard A. Lipsky, Washington Post, Slide number 3 in Slideshow, in Fisher, M, "Slight Gap Where the Sidewalk Ends", Washington Post, Prince George's Extra section, Thursday, April 24, 2008, Page PG27. Accessed April 29, 2008.
55. ^ "Museum and Visitor Center" in Herndon Historical Society, Inc., official home page. Accessed March 28, 2008.
56. ^ Direct Testimony of Paul E. McCray, page 6, in NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005, Part 1 of 5, page 37 of 59; obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 21, 2008
57. ^ "DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR SPARROW POND WETLAND SET FOR AUG. 24" in August 23, 2002, "News" page on Arlington County, Virginia, official website. Accessed March 17, 2008.
58. ^ Thurston, Steve, "Sparrow Pond Deluxe: Sparrow Pond Dredging and the Unfortunate Beavers" in The Buckingham Herald Tribblog April 4, 2007. Accessed May 21, 2008.
59. ^ "Brandymore Castle" on "Neighborhoods, boundary stones, and roadways" page of Arlington Historical Society official website
60. ^ Coordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and Four Mile Run in Glencarlyn Park in Arlington County: 38°51′42″N 77°07′08″W / 38.861582, -77.118831 (Natural area in Glencarlyn Park)
61. ^ Coordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and Piney Branch in Clarks Crossing Park in Fairfax County: 38°55′26″N 77°17′20″W / 38.923793, -77.288926 (Natural area in Clarks Crossing Park)
62. ^ Coordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and the confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek in Two Creeks Trail Area in Loudoun County: 39°04′15″N 77°31′08″W / 39.070737, -77.518898 (Natural area near confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek)
63. ^ Direct Testimony of Paul E. McCray, page 6, in NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005, Part 1 of 5, page 37 of 59; obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 21, 2008
64. ^ Joint Board Matter, Chairman Connolly, Supervisors Smyth and Hudgins, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, pertaining to clearance of vegetation near W&OD Trail, July 26, 2004 on Fairfax County Government official website Accessed March 20, 2007.
65. ^ "Western Loudoun 230 kV Transmission Line Update, October 5, 2004" slideshow on Dominion Virginia Power official website Accessed March 20, 2008.
66. ^ "Powerline Proposals Affecting Loudoun" on Loudoun County government official website Accessed March 20, 2008.
67. ^ December 13, 2005, NVRPA open letter asking public to oppose transmission line project on W&OD Trail in Loudoun County on MORE - Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts official website Accessed March 20, 2008
68. ^ NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005; NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - POST HEARING BRIEF, September 18, 2006; NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - DIRECT TESTIMONY ON REMAND OF KATHERINE H. RUDACILLE, CHARLES SIMMONS, DONALD E. ZIMAR, JASON H. GART, AND STEVEN A. STUDABAKER, June 15, 2007, obtained in Case Docket Search for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed March 21, 2008
69. ^ Western Loudoun County Powerline Project: Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line home page, Map of approved transmission line route, SCC Approval: Pleasant View-Hamilton Project; Case No. PUE-2005-00018, and SCC Final Order: Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on Dominion Virginia Power official website Accessed March 21, 2008.
70. ^ Section of W&OD Railroad Regional Park approved for transmission line route: From W&OD Trail Mile 36.2 at coordinates 39°06′51″N 77°35′50″W / 39.114029, -77.597283 (W&OD Transmission line route at Trail Mile 36.2) to Trail Mile 38.0 at coordinates 39°08′15″N 77°36′33″W / 39.137417, -77.609246 (Transmission line route at Trail Mile 38.0). Accessed March 21, 2008.
71. ^ Legislative history of HB 1319: "Underground transmission lines; pilot program established" and Text of H 1319 (2008 Virginia Acts of Assembly -- Chapter 799): "An Act to establish a pilot program to place certain transmission lines underground." in Virginia General Assembly official web site Accessed April 17, 2008.

[edit] External links

• Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park on Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority official website
• The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website
• Unofficial website of Washington & Old Dominion Trail
• Intersecting Bike Trails on Unofficial website of Washington & Old Dominion Trail
• Washington & Old Dominion Trail on Running Around Town: Washington, D.C., website Chart showing mileages along W&OD Trail
• Video of entire W&OD Trail labeled with distances, cross streets, and other items
• "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series in HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website Photographs and descriptions of NVRPA markers and other markers along and near the W&OD Trail.
• Washington and Old Dominion Trail in National Recreation Trails Database in American Trails official website
• Maps:
  • Map of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail Map in NVRPA marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington. Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, Alexandria, Virginia, September 8, 2007. In "Washington and Old Dominion Trail" in "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series on HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website. Accessed April 2, 2008.
  • Map of the W&OD on The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website Interactive map of entire W&OD Trail and trail segments showing mileages and features along trail
  • W&OD Trail Elevations on The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website Map and chart of elevations along W&OD Trail
  • Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) on Running Around Town: Washington, D.C., website Topographic map showing entire W&OD Trail
  • Washington & Old Dominion Trail on BikeWashington.org website Maps and descriptions of entire W&OD Trail and trail segments, showing connecting trails