Vienna in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Electric Trains on the W&OD
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 2, 2007
1. Electric Trains on the W&OD Marker
By 1939, the year this man was photographed departing a trolley near Bluemont, Virginia, the W&OD had been operating on electricity for 27 years. Aging equipment was badly in need of modernization. In the early 1940s the railroad obtained its first self-propelled diesel-electric and gas-electric engines. Diesel power proved so efficient that by 1944 it had replaced electricity.
Erected by The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the NOVA Parks, and the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 38° 54.061′ N, 77° 15.55′ W. Marker is in Vienna, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is on Park Street
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James C. ("Jim") Martinelli (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil War Action at Vienna (about 800 feet away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Arlington & Fairfax Railway (approx. 0.3 miles away); Freeman House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Freeman Store and Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away); Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Great Falls Line (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vienna.
Another marker is no longer nearby. On June 17, 1861 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. This is one in a set of standard W&OD Trail markers discussing the Electric Train Service, and is duplicated at several locations. The marker has a background photograph described in the text, with the caption, “A passenger gets off of electric car No. 41 just east of Bluemont, Virginia, in February 1939.” An inset picture displays “A portable substation site near Ashburn, Virginia. It was transported wherever needed to convert electricity
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 2, 2007
2. Electric Trains on the W&OD Marker
Also see . . .
1. W&OD Railroad History Site - Pictures of Engines and Rolling Stock. Several of the electric powered trains are pictured. (Submitted on August 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Friends of the W&OD Trail - Video Clips. Some video clips of the electric passenger train service. (Submitted on August 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad. Book by Ames Williams available on Amazon.com (Submitted on May 7, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
4. Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847 - 1968. Book by Herbert Harwood available on Amazon.com (Submitted on May 7, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,169 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
