CSX Traffic from South through DC??

Yes.

So I assume once the VAT is cleared for double track and double stacks...the Alexandria connection will also be double tracked (the new bridge has the room for it)?

Funny hearing the neighbors complain about the VAT project as if CSX is going to set of atomic bombs on the neighborhood.  In reality the end result will be a safer and unnoticeable operation.

A CSX bypass around the left side of DC would be a cool project.  Have they ever thought about this?   NS too.

A recent Washington Post article on this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/...d0d2130da_story.html

Mike,

Here is a link to some photos of double tracking and signal replacement along the Alexandria extension.

http://fullertography.blogspot.com

Mike.

There have been various proposals to bypass downtown DC over the years.  Upstream there was a proposal to run a line from the Metropolitan Branch (now CSX) to connect with the Virginia Midland  (now NS) in IIRC the 1870s.  Some land was acquired but I don't believe there was any construction.  Part of that route is now the Capital Crescent Trail.  Downstream there was a railroad ferry running from the Shepherd's Point branch to the Virginia Midland in Alexandria from the 1870s to around 1900.  I believe that service stopped when Potomac Yard was built, but the B&O kept the Shepherd Point branch.  During WW2 a temporary railroad bridge was installed so trains could run from the Shepherd Point branch into Potomac Yard.

Thanks for the links.  I knew they would have to double track that.  I was waiting on a flight in Reagan Airport for a couple of hours once and had clear view of the RF&P passing the Potomac Yard location.  It was literally one train after the other.

I wish I had seen Potomac yard in its working days.  Looked like it had multiple humps.