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Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

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The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park is a linear regional park in Northern Virginia. The park's primary feature is the Washington and 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][2] Most of the trail travels on top of the rail bed of the former Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, which closed in 1968.[3]

Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail
Stone arch at Clarke's Gap in Leesburg, Virginia in August 2008
Length44.7 mi (71.9 km)
LocationVirginia, U.S.
TrailheadsEast: Shirlington in Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
West: Purcellville in Loudoun County, Virginia, U.S.
UseBiking
Horseback riding
Running
Hiking
Elevation change469 ft (143 m)
Highest pointClarke's Gap, 610 ft (190 m)
Lowest pointShirlington, 141 ft (43 m)
DifficultyEasy
SeasonAll
Trail map
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Although the park is 44.6 miles (71.8 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 a shared use path that is suitable for walking, running, cycling, and roller skating.[1][4]

A crushed bluestone–surfaced bridle path travels near the paved trail in the park's most westerly 33 miles (53 km).[1][4] The path is suitable for horseback riding and mountain biking.[1]

NOVA Parks administers and maintains the park and its trails. NOVA Parks 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 (see Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Stations for locations of historical markers near the W&OD Trail).[5][6]

The headquarters office of the park is near the southwest side of the trail at Smith's Switch Road in Ashburn.[7] A park rest stop is adjacent to the trail near the park's headquarters.

Route

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  •  
    Looking east towards the start of the W&OD Trail in Arlington County (May 2014)
  •  
    The W&OD crushed bluestone bridle path just east of the junction with Wiehle Avenue (VA-828) in Reston, Virginia in August 2021.
  •  
    Marker at end of the W&OD Trail in Purcellville showing the trail's route (August 2018)
  •  
    W&OD Trail Elevation Map (2008)

The W&OD Trail begins in the Nauck neighborhood near the Shirlington section of Arlington County, close to the boundary between the County and the City of Alexandria.[8][9] 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 7).[10]

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.[8][11] 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).[8][12]

 
Bridge over Four Mile Run in Glencarlyn Park south of Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50) (July 2020)

The trail parallels the more curving and hilly Four Mile Run Trail throughout its route in Arlington.[13] 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.[8] The W&OD Trail's trailhead (Mile 0) is at the intersection of South Shirlington Road and South Four Mile Run Drive.[8][9] The trail starts in the Atlantic Coastal Plain at the trail's lowest elevation: 72 feet (22 m) above sea level.[14]

 
W&OD Railroad Regional Park sign in Falls Church (September 2012)

The trail climbs 213 feet (65 m) in 5.8 miles (9.3 km) while traveling northwest through Arlington County. While in Arlington, the trail ascends through the Atlantic Seaboard fall line while climbing upstream in the valley of Four Mile Run. The trail crosses the Run seven times in the valley on bridges whose abutments were constructed before the Civil War by the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad, a predecessor of the W&OD Railroad.[14]

After crossing Columbia Pike (VA 244), the trail enters a steeply-sloped woodland that covers both sides of the valley. The trail crosses under Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50) while within the woodland.[8][14]

Near the end of the woodland, the trail intersects the Bluemont Junction Trail, a 1.3 miles (2.1 km) long paved rail trail that travels to Ballston on the bed of a former W&OD Railroad branch that once ran to Rosslyn and Georgetown.[8] 0.6 miles (1.0 km) past that intersection, the W&OD Trail intersects the Custis Trail, a 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long paved shared use path that travels along Interstate 66 (I-66) (the Custis Memorial Parkway) to Rosslyn and which provides access to Washington, D.C. and the northern end of the Mount Vernon Trail.[8][14]

After crossing its intersection with the Custis Trail, the W&OD Trail travels northwest near an I-66 soundwall for most of its remaining course in Arlington. After crossing under North Sycamore Street next to Four Mile Run, the W&OD Trail crosses over the Run and passes the East Falls Church station on Washington Metro's Orange and Silver Lines.[8][14]

After leaving the fall line, the W&OD Trail enters the Piedmont plateau region near the west corner of the County. The trail continues to climb in the Piedmont while traveling northwest through the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County.[14]

The trail reaches an elevation of 489 feet (149 m) at its crossing of I-66 in Fairfax County. When it reaches this point, the trail has risen 417 feet (127 m) while traveling 8.4 miles (13.5 km).[14]

 
Bridge over Difficult Run in Fairfax County (October 2020)

After crossing over I-495 (the Capital Beltway) on a trail bridge and passing Dunn Loring, the trail begins a long descent as it travels through Vienna. After leaving Vienna, the trail continues to descend until it reaches Mile 14, where its elevation of 242 feet (74 m) is only 170 feet (52 m) higher than is its elevation at the trail's origin.[14]

After the trail crosses Difficult Run (Mile 14.3), it ascends and descends between additional streams (including Sugarland Run, Broad Run, Beaverdam Run, Goose Creek, Sycolin Creek and Tuscarora Creek) as it travels further northwest in the Piedmont through or near Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn, and Leesburg. While traveling through Reston, the trail crosses Wiehle Avenue (VA 828), 0.3 miles (0.5 km) northeast of the Wiehle–Reston East station on Washington Metro's Silver Line.[14][15]

 
View of Goose Creek from the W&OD Trail in March 2012

When crossing Tuscarora Creek in Leesburg, the trail's elevation of 315 feet (96 m) is only 2 feet (0.61 m) higher than the highest elevation 313 feet (95 m) that it reached in Arlington. After crossing that stream, the trail climbs northwest in 6.0 miles (9.7 km) to reach its highest elevation (606 feet (185 m)) while traveling on a bridge carrying VA 9 (Charles Town Pike) over VA 7 near the saddle point of Clarke's Gap in Catoctin Mountain.[16] 0.3 miles (0.48 km) before this crossing, the trail travels under an old stone arch that formerly carried VA 7 over the W&OD Railroad.[14]

The trail then turns west, descends through Paeonian Springs to Hamilton Station and climbs to reach Purcellville. When the trail terminates in Purcellville, its elevation is 513 feet (156 m) above sea level.[14]

Trail features

edit
Feature Jurisdiction[17] Distance from
Trailhead[18] 		Trail Elevation[19] Coordinates
Four Mile Run Trail-W&OD Trail Connector City of Alexandria

Arlington County

---- ---- 38°50′35″N 77°04′52″W / 38.8431797°N 77.0811698°W / 38.8431797; -77.0811698 (Four Mile Run Trail/W&OD Trail Connector)
Trailhead Arlington County 0 72 feet (22 m) 38°50′39″N 77°05′09″W / 38.844269°N 77.085878°W / 38.844269; -77.085878 (W&OD Trail trailhead)
Crossing of Columbia Pike (VA 244) Arlington County 1.6 miles (2.6 km) 131 feet (40 m) 38°51′23″N 77°06′35″W / 38.856398°N 77.109649°W / 38.856398; -77.109649 (W&OD Trail crossing of Columbia Pike)
Overlook of Sparrow Pond wetland Arlington County 2.0 miles (3.2 km) 91 feet (28 m) 38°51′43″N 77°06′56″W / 38.862077°N 77.115532°W / 38.862077; -77.115532 (Sparrow Pond)
Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50) bridge over trail and Four Mile Run Arlington County 2.7 miles (4.3 km) 190 feet (58 m) 38°51′59″N 77°07′26″W / 38.866501°N 77.123769°W / 38.866501; -77.123769 (U.S. Route 50 bridge over W&OD Trail)
Carlin Springs Road bridge over trail and Four Mile Run Arlington County 3.0 miles (4.8 km) 196 feet (60 m) 38°52′04″N 77°07′40″W / 38.867893°N 77.127749°W / 38.867893; -77.127749 (Carlin Springs Road bridge over W&OD Trail)
Intersection with Bluemont Junction Trail Arlington County 3.3 miles (5.3 km) 231 feet (70 m) 38°52′19″N 77°07′56″W / 38.871832°N 77.132108°W / 38.871832; -77.132108 (Intersection of W&OD Trail and Bluemont Junction Trail)
Bluemont Junction Railroad Display and Caboose Arlington County 3.4 miles (5.5 km) 231 feet (70 m) 38°52′23″N 77°07′57″W / 38.87306°N 77.132564°W / 38.87306; -77.132564 (Bluemont Junction caboose)
Wilson Boulevard bridge over trail and Four Mile Run Arlington County 3.5 miles (5.6 km) 216 feet (66 m) 38°52′30″N 77°08′01″W / 38.875012°N 77.133618°W / 38.875012; -77.133618 (Wilson Boulevard bridge over W&OD Trailand Four Mile Run)
Intersection with Custis Trail Arlington County 3.9 miles (6.3 km) 225 feet (69 m) 38°52′45″N 77°08′20″W / 38.879128°N 77.13877°W / 38.879128; -77.13877 (Intersection of W&OD Trail and Custis Trail)
Brandymore Castle (rock outcrop) Arlington County 4.8 miles (7.7 km) 270 feet (82 m) 38°53′02″N 77°09′12″W / 38.883792°N 77.153437°W / 38.883792; -77.153437 (Brandymore Castle)
N. Sycamore Street (near East Falls Church Metro Station) Arlington County 5.0 miles (8.0 km) 270 feet (82 m) 38°53′10″N 77°09′25″W / 38.886072°N 77.157047°W / 38.886072; -77.157047 (East Falls Church Metro Station)
Trail bridge over Lee Highway (U.S. 29) Arlington County 5.6 miles (9.0 km) 292 feet (89 m) 38°53′14″N 77°09′45″W / 38.887280°N 77.162366°W / 38.887280; -77.162366 (Trail Bridge over Lee Highway (U.S. Route 29))
Former site of Falls Church W&OD Railroad station Arlington County 5.6 miles (9.0 km) 292 feet (89 m) 38°53′14″N 77°09′45″W / 38.887358°N 77.162631°W / 38.887358; -77.162631 (Site of Falls Church station of W&OD Railroad)
Coal trestle remnant Arlington County 5.6 miles (9.0 km) 306 feet (93 m) 38°53′15″N 77°09′48″W / 38.8875844°N 77.1634462°W / 38.8875844; -77.1634462 (Coal trestle (Washington & Old Dominion Railroad))
Crossing of Little Falls Road Arlington County 5.9 miles (9.5 km) 277 feet (84 m) 38°53′18″N 77°09′57″W / 38.888313°N 77.165928°W / 38.888313; -77.165928 (Crossing of W&OD Trail and Little Falls Road)
W&OD Railroad station mile marker post City of Falls Church 5.9 miles (9.5 km) 285 feet (87 m) 38°53′18″N 77°09′59″W / 38.888471°N 77.166426°W / 38.888471; -77.166426 (W&OD Railroad station mile marker post)
Former site of West Falls Church W&OD Railroad station City of Falls Church 6.9 miles (11.1 km) 344 feet (105 m) 38°53′30″N 77°11′07″W / 38.891649°N 77.185226°W / 38.891649; -77.185226 (Site of West Falls Church station of W&OD Railroad)
Trail bridge over West Broad Street (VA 7) City of Falls Church 7.0 miles (11.3 km) 374 feet (114 m) 38°53′30″N 77°11′09″W / 38.891768°N 77.185972°W / 38.891768; -77.185972 (W&OD Trail bridge over West Broad Street (VA Route 7))
Trail and Virginia Lane bridge over I-66 and Washington Metro Fairfax County 8.4 miles (13.5 km) 489 feet (149 m) 38°53′28″N 77°12′38″W / 38.890995°N 77.2106°W / 38.890995; -77.2106 (Virginia Lane bridge over I-66 and Metrorail)
Trail bridge over I-495 (Capital Beltway) Fairfax County 8.8 miles (14.2 km) 430 feet (130 m) 38°53′26″N 77°13′04″W / 38.890555°N 77.217866°W / 38.890555; -77.217866 (W&OD Trail bridge over I-495 (Capital Beltway))
Crossing of Sandburg Street, Dunn Loring Fairfax County 9.1 miles (14.6 km) 392 feet (119 m) 38°53′30″N 77°13′20″W / 38.8916257°N 77.2223264°W / 38.8916257; -77.2223264 (Sandburg Street (Dunn Loring))
Crossing of Gallows Road (VA 650) Fairfax County 9.3 miles (15.0 km) 429 feet (131 m) 38°53′32″N 77°13′30″W / 38.892351°N 77.224982°W / 38.892351; -77.224982 (Gallows Road (VA 650))
Arlington & Fairfax Railway bridge abutments Town of Vienna 10.4 miles (16.7 km) 491 feet (150 m) 38°54′00″N 77°14′45″W / 38.89988°N 77.245718°W / 38.89988; -77.245718 (Washington-Virginia Railway bridge abutments)
Crossing of Maple Avenue E (VA 123) Town of Vienna 11.5 miles (18.5 km) 375 feet (114 m) 38°54′09″N 77°15′50″W / 38.902544°N 77.264003°W / 38.902544; -77.264003 (Freeman Store and Museum)
Freeman Store and Museum (Church Street NE) Town of Vienna 11.6 miles (18.7 km) 364 feet (111 m) 38°54′12″N 77°15′54″W / 38.903357°N 77.265113°W / 38.903357; -77.265113 (Freeman Store and Museum)
Railroad whistle post in Vienna Centennial Park Town of Vienna 11.7 miles (18.8 km) 360 feet (110 m) 38°54′12″N 77°15′56″W / 38.9033584°N 77.2655408°W / 38.9033584; -77.2655408 (Whistle post in Vienna Centennial Park)
Vienna Caboose Museum in Vienna Centennial Park Town of Vienna 11.7 miles (18.8 km) 360 feet (110 m) 38°54′13″N 77°15′57″W / 38.903608°N 77.265708°W / 38.903608; -77.265708 (Vienna Caboose Museum)
Vienna W&OD Railroad Station and model railroad Town of Vienna 11.8 miles (19.0 km) 360 feet (110 m) 38°54′15″N 77°16′01″W / 38.904142°N 77.266974°W / 38.904142; -77.266974 (Vienna W&OD Railroad Station and model railroad)
Eudora Park[20] Fairfax County 12.5 miles (20.1 km) 309 feet (94 m) 38°54′49″N 77°16′39″W / 38.913593°N 77.277627°W / 38.913593; -77.277627 (Eudora Park)
Clarks Crossing Road and Park[21] Fairfax County 13.2 miles (21.2 km) 285 feet (87 m) 38°55′15″N 77°17′09″W / 38.920971°N 77.285783°W / 38.920971; -77.285783 (Clarks Crossing Road and Park)
Trail bridge over Piney Branch Fairfax County 13.6 miles (21.9 km) 281 feet (86 m) 38°55′32″N 77°17′18″W / 38.925642°N 77.288381°W / 38.925642; -77.288381 (W&OD Trail bridge over Piney Branch)
Trail bridge over Difficult Run Fairfax County 14.3 miles (23.0 km) 252 feet (77 m) 38°55′51″N 77°17′54″W / 38.930942°N 77.29834°W / 38.930942; -77.29834 (W&OD Trail Bridge over Difficult Run)
Crossing of Hunter Mill Road (VA 674) Fairfax County 14.7 miles (23.7 km) 252 feet (77 m) 38°55′58″N 77°18′18″W / 38.932706°N 77.305038°W / 38.932706; -77.305038 (Hunter Mill Road (VA 674))
Crossing of Sunrise Valley Drive (VA 5320) Fairfax County 15.8 miles (25.4 km) 343 feet (105 m) 38°56′31″N 77°19′18″W / 38.941895°N 77.321618°W / 38.941895; -77.321618 (Sunrise Valley Drive (VA 5320))
Dulles Access Road and Dulles Toll Road (VA 267) bridges over trail Fairfax County 16.1 miles (25.9 km) 394 feet (120 m) 38°56′41″N 77°19′32″W / 38.944607°N 77.325618°W / 38.944607; -77.325618 (Dulles Access Road and Dulles Toll Road bridges over W&OD Trail)
Crossing of Wiehle Avenue (near Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station) Fairfax County 16.8 miles (27.0 km) 393 feet (120 m) 38°57′02″N 77°20′09″W / 38.950455°N 77.335805°W / 38.950455; -77.335805 (W&OD Trail crossing of Wiehle Avenue)
Sunset Hills W&OD Railroad Station, Reston Fairfax County 17.7 miles (28.5 km) 413 feet (126 m) 38°57′21″N 77°21′06″W / 38.955869°N 77.351789°W / 38.955869; -77.351789 (Sunset Hills W&OD Railroad Station)
Northbound Reston Parkway (VA 602) bridge over trail Fairfax County 17.9 miles (28.8 km) 442 feet (135 m) 38°57′25″N 77°21′17″W / 38.956859°N 77.354849°W / 38.956859; -77.354849 (Northbound Reston Parkway (VA 602) bridge over trail)
Intersection with trail to Reston Town Center Fairfax County 18.2 miles (29.3 km) 408 feet (124 m) 38°57′23″N 77°21′41″W / 38.956347°N 77.361318°W / 38.956347; -77.361318 (Intersection of W&OD Trail and trail to Reston Town Center)
Intersection with trail to Fairfax County Parkway Trail Fairfax County 18.3 miles (29.5 km) 390 feet (120 m) 38°57′28″N 77°22′06″W / 38.957696°N 77.368381°W / 38.957696; -77.368381 (Intersection of W&OD Trail and trail to Fairfax County Parkway Trail)
Sugarland Run culvert Town of Herndon 18.8 miles (30.3 km) 384 feet (117 m) 38°57′35″N 77°22′16″W / 38.9596028°N 77.3711514°W / 38.9596028; -77.3711514 (Sugarland Run culvert)
Intersection with Sugarland Run Valley Stream Trail Town of Herndon 18.9 miles (30.4 km) 384 feet (117 m) 38°57′37″N 77°22′18″W / 38.960155°N 77.371800°W / 38.960155; -77.371800 (Intersection with Sugarland Run Valley Stream Trail)
Herndon Depot Museum Town of Herndon 19.9 miles (32.0 km) 396 feet (121 m) 38°58′13″N 77°23′09″W / 38.970174°N 77.385716°W / 38.970174; -77.385716 (Herndon W&OD Railroad Station and Museum)
Herndon Caboose Town of Herndon 20.0 miles (32.2 km) 393 feet (120 m) 38°58′15″N 77°23′10″W / 38.970733°N 77.386073°W / 38.970733; -77.386073 (Herndon Caboose)
Fairfax County-Loudoun County boundary -------- 21.2 miles (34.1 km) 357 feet (109 m) 38°58′58″N 77°24′09″W / 38.98264°N 77.40257°W / 38.98264; -77.40257 (Fairfax County-Loudoun County boundary)
Crossing of S. Sterling Boulevard (VA 846) Loudoun County 22.4 miles (36.0 km) 346 feet (105 m) 38°59′37″N 77°25′04″W / 38.993672°N 77.417847°W / 38.993672; -77.417847 (Crossing of S. Sterling Boulevard)
West Church Road (VA 625) bridge over trail, Sterling Loudoun County 23.3 miles (37.5 km) 306 feet (93 m) 39°00′19″N 77°25′40″W / 39.0053911°N 77.4278775°W / 39.0053911; -77.4278775 (W. Church Street Underpass (Sterling))
Ruritan Circle (Old Church Road) (VA 859), Sterling (tracks near trail)[22] Loudoun County 23.4 miles (37.7 km) 316 feet (96 m) 39°00′22″N 77°25′42″W / 39.006113°N 77.428410°W / 39.006113; -77.428410 (W&OD Trail crossing of Ruritan Circle (Sterling))
Trail bridge over Sully Road (VA 28) (viewpoint) Loudoun County 23.9 miles (38.5 km) 346 feet (105 m) 39°00′41″N 77°26′00″W / 39.011481°N 77.433336°W / 39.011481; -77.433336 (W&OD Trail bridge over Sulley Road (VA Route 28))
Trail bridge over Broad Run Loudoun County 24.7 miles (39.8 km) 251 feet (77 m) 39°01′06″N 77°26′42″W / 39.01845°N 77.444923°W / 39.01845; -77.444923 (W&OD Trail bridge over Broad Run)
Trail bridge over Loudoun County Parkway (VA 607) Loudoun County 24.8 miles (39.9 km) 275 feet (84 m) 39°01′13″N 77°26′52″W / 39.020208°N 77.447865°W / 39.020208; -77.447865 (W&OD Trail bridge over Loudoun County Parkway)
W&OD Regional Park Headquarters, Ashburn Loudoun County 25.7 miles (41.4 km) 258 feet (79 m) 39°01′38″N 77°27′39″W / 39.027355°N 77.460783°W / 39.027355; -77.460783 (W&OD Regional Park headquarters, Ashburn)
Smiths Switch Station rest stop, Ashburn Loudoun County 25.7 miles (41.4 km) 258 feet (79 m) 39°01′39″N 77°27′37″W / 39.027615°N 77.460367°W / 39.027615; -77.460367 (Smiths Switch Station rest stop, Ashburn)
Trail bridge over Beaverdam Run Loudoun County 26.2 miles (42.2 km) 237 feet (72 m) 39°01′55″N 77°28′02″W / 39.031905°N 77.467293°W / 39.031905; -77.467293 (W&OD Trail bridge over Beaverdam Run)
Crossing of Ashburn Road (VA 641) Loudoun County 27.5 miles (44.3 km) 281 feet (86 m) 39°02′38″N 77°29′15″W / 39.0439736°N 77.487430°W / 39.0439736; -77.487430 (Crossing of W&OD Trail and Ashburn Road (VA 641))
Trail bridge over Claiborne Parkway (VA 901) Loudoun Parkway 28.6 miles (46.0 km) 325 feet (99 m) 39°03′11″N 77°30′10″W / 39.053159°N 77.502749°W / 39.053159; -77.502749 (W&OD Trail bridge over Claiborne Parkway (VA Route 901))
Crossing of Belmont Ridge Road (VA 659) Loudoun County 29.5 miles (47.5 km) 310 feet (94 m) 39°03′49″N 77°30′40″W / 39.063652°N 77.511090°W / 39.063652; -77.511090 (Crossing of W&OD Trail and Belmont Ridge Road (VA Route 659))
Overlook of Luck Stone Quarry Loudoun County 29.7 miles (47.8 km) 304 feet (93 m) 39°04′02″N 77°31′03″W / 39.067344°N 77.517481°W / 39.067344; -77.517481 (W&OD Trail overlook of Luck Stone Quarry)
Trail bridge over Goose Creek Loudoun County 30.1 miles (48.4 km) 263 feet (80 m) 39°04′10″N 77°31′10″W / 39.0695212°N 77.5195795°W / 39.0695212; -77.5195795 (W&OD Trail bridge over Goose Creek)
Entrance to Two Creeks Trail Area Loudoun County 30.2 miles (48.6 km) 262 feet (80 m) 39°04′14″N 77°31′14″W / 39.0705874°N 77.5206256°W / 39.0705874; -77.5206256 (Entrance to Two Creeks Trail Area)
Trail bridge over Sycolin Creek Loudoun County 30.4 miles (48.9 km) 256 feet (78 m) 39°04′20″N 77°31′29″W / 39.0723324°N 77.524707°W / 39.0723324; -77.524707 (W&OD Trail bridge over Sycolin Creek)
Crossing of Cochrane Mill Road (VA 653) Loudoun County 30.7 miles (49.4 km) 272 feet (83 m) 39°04′26″N 77°31′42″W / 39.073783°N 77.5281992°W / 39.073783; -77.5281992 (Crossing of W&OD Trail and Cochrane Mill Road (VA Route 653)
Pleasant View Substation of Dominion Virginia Power Loudoun County 30.8 miles (49.6 km) 275 feet (84 m) 39°04′33″N 77°31′43″W / 39.075888°N 77.528747°W / 39.075888; -77.528747 (Pleasant View substation of Dominion Virginia Power)
Crosstrail Boulevard bridge over trail Loudoun County 31.2 miles (50.2 km) 295 feet (90 m) 39°04′46″N 77°31′54″W / 39.079431°N 77.531618°W / 39.079431; -77.531618 (Crosstrail Boulevard bridge over W&OD Trail)
Trail bridge over Tuscarora Creek Town of Leesburg 32.4 miles (52.1 km) 315 feet (96 m) 39°05′44″N 77°32′32″W / 39.0955799°N 77.5422549°W / 39.0955799; -77.5422549 (W&OD Trail bridge over Tuscarora Creek)
VA 7/U.S. 15 bridges over trail Town of Leesburg 33.0 miles (53.1 km) 294 feet (90 m) 39°06′01″N 77°32′59″W / 39.100376°N 77.549829°W / 39.100376; -77.549829 (VA Route 7/U.S. Route 15 bridges over W&OD Trail)
19th century lime kiln Town of Leesburg 34.1 miles (54.9 km) 339 feet (103 m) 39°06′35″N 77°33′40″W / 39.109596°N 77.561014°W / 39.109596; -77.561014 (19th century lime kiln)
Crossing of Harrison Street SE Town of Leesburg 34.3 miles (55.2 km) 326 feet (99 m) 39°06′37″N 77°33′48″W / 39.1104°N 77.563198°W / 39.1104; -77.563198 (Crossing of W&OD Trail and Harrison Street SE)
Crossing of S. King Street (U.S. 15 (Business)) Town of Leesburg 34.4 miles (55.4 km) 320 feet (98 m) 39°06′43″N 77°33′58″W / 39.111986°N 77.566137°W / 39.111986; -77.566137 (Crossing of W&OD Trail and S. King Street (U.S. Route 15 (Business))
Trail bridge over VA 7 Town of Leesburg 35.5 miles (57.1 km) 433 feet (132 m) 39°06′37″N 77°35′16″W / 39.11035°N 77.587756°W / 39.11035; -77.587756 (W&OD Trail bridge over VA Route 7)
Crossing of Dry Mill Road (VA 699) Loudoun County 38.0 miles (61.2 km) 582 feet (177 m) 39°08′16″N 77°36′34″W / 39.137734°N 77.609582°W / 39.137734; -77.609582 (Crossing of W&OD Trail and Dry Mill Road)
Stone arch over trail at Clarke's Gap Loudoun County 38.2 miles (61.5 km) 579 feet (176 m) 39°08′22″N 77°36′39″W / 39.13957°N 77.610887°W / 39.13957; -77.610887 (Stone arch over W&OD Trail at Clarke's Gap)
Trail and VA 9 (Charles Town Pike) bridge over VA 7 at Clarke's Gap (trail high point) Loudoun County 38.4 miles (61.8 km) 606 feet (185 m) 39°08′27″N 77°36′45″W / 39.140942°N 77.612526°W / 39.140942; -77.612526 (VA State Route 9 bridge over VA Route 7)
Clarks Gap passenger shelter (relocated), Paeonian Springs Loudoun County 39.2 miles (63.1 km) 555 feet (169 m) 39°08′52″N 77°37′10″W / 39.147864°N 77.619434°W / 39.147864; -77.619434 (Clarks Gap passenger shelter (relocated))
Hamilton W&OD Railroad Station Loudoun County 40.9 miles (65.8 km) 443 feet (135 m) 39°08′39″N 77°39′05″W / 39.144091°N 77.651303°W / 39.144091; -77.651303 (Hamilton W&OD Railroad Station)
Crossing of Berlin Turnpike (VA 287) Loudoun County 43.0 miles (69.2 km) 519 feet (158 m) 39°08′44″N 77°41′29″W / 39.145532°N 77.691279°W / 39.145532; -77.691279 (Crossing of Berlin Turnpike (VA 287))
VA 7 bridges over trail and Berlin Turnpike (VA 287) Loudoun County 43.1 miles (69.4 km) 519 feet (158 m) 39°08′40″N 77°41′30″W / 39.144558°N 77.691665°W / 39.144558; -77.691665 (VA 7 bridges over trail and Berlin Turnpike (VA 287))
Crossing of N. Maple Avenue (VA 722) Town of Purcellville 43.8 miles (70.5 km) 503 feet (153 m) 39°08′31″N 77°42′03″W / 39.142063°N 77.700802°W / 39.142063; -77.700802 (Crossing of Hatcher Avenue (VA 722))
Crossing of Hatcher Avenue (VA 611) Town of Purcellville 44.4 miles (71.5 km) 516 feet (157 m) 39°08′18″N 77°42′47″W / 39.138467°N 77.713114°W / 39.138467; -77.713114 (Crossing of Hatcher Avenue (VA 611))
Purcellville Train Station (N. 21st Street) Town of Purcellville 44.6 miles (71.8 km) 513 feet (156 m) 39°08′18″N 77°42′58″W / 39.138441°N 77.716116°W / 39.138441; -77.716116 (Purcellville Train Station)
End of trail Town of Purcellville 44.6 miles (71.8 km) 513 feet (156 m) 39°08′19″N 77°42′59″W / 39.138561°N 77.716250°W / 39.138561; -77.716250 (End of W&OD Trail)

History

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When the W&OD Railroad closed in 1968, its 100 feet (30.5 m) wide right-of-way extended from Potomac Yard in Alexandria to the center of Purcellville. In October 1968, the Virginia State Highway Department started condemnation proceedings to acquire the right-of-way, which was eventually donated to the state, where it crossed Shirley Highway. The section where it crossed the future Interstate 66 was also donated.[23] In the same year that the railroad closed, the land that lay west of the Alexandria/Arlington boundary was sold for $4.91 million to Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) (part of which was incorporated into Dominion Virginia Power in 2000)[24] for power line right-of-way.[25] Also in 1968, the Town of Vienna rejected a proposal to ask the State Highway Commission to add the railroad ROW to the urban road system for Northern Virginia and instead sought to purchase the ROW and include part of it in the new Northside Park.[26] In 1969, Vienna asked VEPCO to give them the ROW through town.[27]

In 1971, voters in Fairfax County approved a $35 million park bond referendum that was to be used in part to buy the W&OD right of way in the county and buy another 590 acres of land along the route for campgrounds and picnic areas (but due to slow negotiations with VEPCO, that money was spent elsewhere).[28] In 1972, voters approved the construction of a trail, then called "The Virginia Creeper," along the right-of way.[29]

In 1973 a study of the right-of-way proposed using it for a linear park.[30]

Trail construction and extension

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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 VEPCO and the NVRPA.[31] It extended from Little Falls Street to Railroad Avenue. By late 1976 a second, 1-mile long section opened in Vienna - again with permission from VEPCO.[30] As the 1.5 miles (2.4 km) trails proved to be popular, the NVRPA and Fairfax County proposed building a 7.5 mile long trail to connect them as part of a Bicentennial project but VEPCO refused to give the land away, lease it for a $1 a year or sell it in pieces; instead it wanted sell the whole piece of property at once.[30]

After the state legislature passed a unanimous resolution in favor of the trail, and promised oversight of VEPCO, the impasse was overcome.[32] VEPCO agreed to sell the entire right-of-way to NVRPA on December 19, 1977 for $3.6 million, allowing regular purchases of it between 1978 and 1982; and Fairfax County voters passed another $51.1 million bond referendum that included money to pay for it.[32][33] 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.

The NVRPA was not able to acquire from the power company the portion of the right-of-way that lay within the City of Alexandria. The 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.

The NVRPA extended the trail east and west of Falls Church as it acquired portions of the right-of-way until it stretched from Alexandria to Purcellville.[34] In 1979, the trail was extended 26 miles (42 km) westward from Falls Church to Goose Creek with the aid of a federal Rails-to-Trails grant, although it was only paved as far as Maple Avenue East (VA Route 123) in Vienna - a distance of 6 miles (10 km).[35] Beyond that it was only suitable for hiking.[36]

In 1981, the NVRPA paved the trail from Vienna to Herndon. During the same year, the NVRPA also converted a section 12 miles (19 km) long from Herndon to Leesburg from a hiking trail to a gravel path.[37]

In 1982, the NVRPA completed a trail underpass at U.S. 15 (Leesburg Bypass) east of Leesburg, increasing the trail's total distance to over 30 miles (48 km). The trail's route west of Leesburg remained accessible only by foot.[38]

Also in 1982, the trail was extended and paved eastward from Little Falls Street in Falls Church to Patrick Henry Drive in Arlington as part of the construction of I-66.[38][39] During that same time period, the NVRPA began paving the easternmost section of trail from Shirlington Road to Columbia Pike (VA 244) in Arlington, with that work completed by the end of 1983.[40]

In September 1984, the NVRPA finished paving two sections of the trail, an extension westward from Herndon to Sterling and, two weeks later, an extension east from I-66 to Columbia Pike.[41] Prior to the 1984 completion, the Arlington section of the trail from Columbia Pike to Lee Highway had been a dirt and gravel path. A sewer construction project that traveled along Four Mile Run delayed the paving for years.[40]

In 1985, the NVRPA extended the paved portion of the trail through Leesburg, together with a parallel bridle path that NVRPA extended to Purcellville.[42] The paved trail reached its western terminus in Purcellville in 1988.[34]

In 2002, the NVRPA constructed the final section of the trail in and near Arlington County's Bluemont Park [ceb]. Construction was delayed for years after encountering opposition from the public because of the paved section's potential environmental impacts. When completed, the final section connected the W&OD Trail's intersection with the Bluemont Junction Trail to the section of the W&OD Trail that is just east of North Carlin Springs Road. The final section included a new trail bridge over Four Mile Run and an underpass below North Carlin Springs Road.[43]

On October 20, 2007, construction began for a paved trail that would connect the W&OD Trail at its origin with the Four Mile Run Trail by traveling for 3,000 feet (914 m) along a bank of the Run while passing beneath the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway (I-395) in Alexandria and West Glebe Road in Arlington.[44] On May 30, 2009, a ribbon-cutting ceremony heralded the completion and opening of the connecting trail.[11][45]

Spot changes

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After constructing most of the trail, the NVRPA focused on grade-separating the trail and making other spot changes, sometimes in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) or with developers of nearby properties. In 1989, the VDOT completed the Herndon Parkway on the east side of Herndon, which included a trail bridge over the Parkway.[46] In 1990, a trail bridge was constructed over VA 28 in eastern Loudoun County as part of a project to widen that road.[47][48]

In 1991, the trail crossing of Reston Parkway (VA 602) in Reston was moved from Sunset Hills Road (VA 675) to Bluemont Way.[49] On October 3, 1993, the NVRPA completed a bridge over West Broad Street (VA 7) in Falls Church.[50]

In 1999, a developer, Terrabrook Communities, built a 55 ft (16.8 m) wide and 15 ft (4.6 m) high arched-concrete trail underpass beneath Reston Parkway as part of an agreement with the NVRPA.[51] The 500 ft (152.4 m) of old trail in that section became connectors to the parkway at Bluemont Way.[52] The western section of the Herndon Parkway, with another trail bridge over it, was completed in 1997.[53] In 2001, the VDOT expanded the Fairfax County Parkway (VA 286) across the W&OD Trail right-of-way, building an overpass for the trail at about the same time.[54]

In 2005, the Sugarland Run Valley Stream Trail in Herndon was extended 1 mi (1.6 km) to connect to the trail.[55] In May 2006, the VDOT completed work on an extension of Claiborne Parkway (VA 901) that crossed NOVA Parks' right-of-way. As part of the project, the VDOT constructed a bridge that carried the W&OD Trail over the extended Parkway.[56]

On June 15, 2011, VDOT opened a new trail bridge over I-495 that was constructed as part of the Capital Beltway High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes project. The new bridge was both 4 ft (1.2 m) wider and 30 ft (9.1 m) higher than the one built in 1979.[57] In 2013-2015, an Arlington County streetscape and utilities project realigned the W&OD's Trail's crossing of Columbia Pike (VA 244). An associated Arlington County project constructed a plaza and a bicycle "learner's loop" adjacent to the realigned trail in the County's Glencarlyn Park.[58]

In late 2015, a truck-climbing lane project was completed on VA 7 in Clarke's Gap. The project realigned the trail to move its crossing of Charles Town Pike (VA 9) at Dry Mill Road (VA 699) to a new underpass beneath the Pike on the south side of VA 7.[59][60] The realigned trail bypassed the trail's former high point, reducing the trail's highest elevation above sea level from 680 feet (207.3 m) to 606 feet (184.7 m).[60][61]

In 2017, a bridge carrying Belmont Ridge Road (VA 659) over the W&OD Trail and a trail parking lot was constructed in Loudoun County as part of a project to widen the road.[62] Also in 2017, NOVA Parks made within the County a set of safety improvements at the trail's crossing of S. Sterling Boulevard (VA 846), including removing one left turn lane to reduce the trail's crossing distance, installing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, and widening the Boulevard's median [63]

On March 12, 2021, the VDOT opened a W&OD Trail pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lee Highway (U.S. 29) in Arlington County's East Falls Church neighborhood as part of its "Transform 66 - Inside the Beltway" I-66 eastbound widening project.[64] When planning the project, the VDOT hosted several public meetings that provided information about the bridge, which had raised concerns among neighborhood residents.[65] Shortly afterwards there was a campaign to name the bridge for cyclist Peter Beers.[66]

On July 9th, 2024 the Fairfax County Department of Transportation opened a new trail bridge over Wiehle Avenue in Reston. The bridge was recommended in an April 2008 study by the Reston Metrorail Access Group, an advisory committee created in spring 2006 to prepare for the arrival of Metro’s Silver Line. The Wiehle Metro station opened in 2014, but the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors didn’t approve a final design for the bridge crossing until July 2018. Preliminary work relocating utilities started in 2021, and construction started in March 2023.[67]

W&OD Dual Trails project

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Around 2017, NOVA Parks commissioned a feasibility study for a potential widening of the W&OD Trail or for adding a parallel trail to it within Falls Church and Arlington County because of high use at peak times. The study's author recommended that NOVA Parks make plans to construct a 16 feet (4.9 m) or 19 feet (5.8 m) wide trail within the two jurisdictions, while temporarily widening the trail to 11 feet (3.4 m).[68]

In June 2018, NOVA Parks received a $3.2 million grant from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority that enabled it to expand a 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long W&OD Trail segment within the City of Falls Church. The project converted an 11 feet (3.4 m) wide section of the trail and part of its adjacent green space into a dual paved path containing a 12 feet (3.7 m) wide bicycle trail and an 8 feet (2.4 m) wide pedestrian trail. A 2 feet (0.6 m) wide strip of pavement separated the two routes, creating a 22 feet (6.7 m) wide transportation corridor that doubled the W&OD Trail's width.[69]

The two imperviously-surfaced trails traveled through a 16 acres (6 ha) urban open space that a 2016 Falls Church master plan had called "The City's Greenest Street". The master plan's "Vision Statement" stated that the project would help "Develop the W&OD Park as a Great Street and greenway".[69]

Officials broke ground on the Falls Church "W&OD Dual Trails" project on August 26, 2020.[70] The widened trail formally opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 7, 2021.[71] The executive director of NOVA Parks, Paul Gilbert, stated during the event: "I envision over the next decade, more and more urban sections of the W&OD Trail will take on this dual trail methodology."[72]

Designations

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In 1987, the U. S. Department of the Interior designated the trail as a National Recreation Trail.[73] In 1999, Virginia Department of Historic Resources staff determined that the "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Historic District" (053-0276) was eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).[74] A 2000 NRHP registration form states that the Historic District is eligible for the listing because the District "is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history". The form contains an in-depth description of the District's historical resources and of the railroad's history, as well as maps that show the locations of the Districts's major historical features.[75]

Historic structures

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Purcellville Station, August 2008

The park and its immediate surroundings contain a number of historic structures, some of which date to the pre-Civil War period.[76] Most of these structures are railroad remnants, including intact stations[77] at Vienna,[78][79] Sunset Hills,[80] Herndon,[81] Hamilton[82] and Purcellville,[83][84][85] stone arches and culverts,[86] the piers and abutments of bridges, and a relocated passenger shelter (formerly at the site of the Clarks Gap station at the present crossing of the trail and Dry Mill Road (VA 699); now at the former site of the Paeonian Springs station near Simpson Circle).[87]

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.[88] The floor is located in the space between a soccer field and a Southern Railway caboose.[89][90]

A remnant of a coal trestle stands south of the W&OD Trail, near the west end of the trail's bridge over Lee Highway (U.S. 29) in Arlington. In June 2014, the owner of a property adjacent to the regional park demolished part of the structure to provide space for a planned self-storage facility. At the time, the Arlington County government was considering a proposal to designate the structure as a local historic district. In September 2014, the Arlington County Board designated the remaining portion of trestle, which was located on NVRPA property, as a local historic district.[91] The trestle 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 (1.6 km) east of the site of the railroad's demolished West Falls Church Station.[92] The station was located near the east side of the railroad's crossing of W. Broad Street (VA 7) in Falls Church.

 
Concrete abutment of the bridge that carried the Arlington & Fairfax Railway over the W&OD Railroad near the east end of Vienna (December 2006)

Near the east end of Vienna, the poured concrete abutment of a bridge that carried an interurban trolley line, the Arlington & Fairfax Railway, over the W&OD Railroad remains on the north side of the trail.[93] An inscription showing the month and year of the abutment's construction (July 1904) is visible on the structure's east side.

Portions of track were visible near the W&OD Trail's crossing of Ruritan Circle (Old Church Road, VA 859) in Sterling during 2016.[22]

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.[93][94] 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.[95][96]

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.[96]

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.[93] 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 also supplied farmers with agricultural lime and provided builders with lime plaster for walls and stone for roads.[97]

Near the saddle point 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 7 over the railroad's tracks at the railroad's highest point.[93][98] The arch now carries Dry Mill Road (VA 699) over the trail.

Displays and museums

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The Norfolk Southern Railway and its predecessors have donated three cabooses for display along the W&OD Trail.[99] 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 (number X441) within the Bluemont Junction Railroad Display in Arlington exhibits photographs, maps and other information related to the County's railroads and trolleys.[100][101] Staffed by a County park ranger, the caboose is open to the public on weekend afternoons from the Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.[102] 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, as well as a metallic crossbuck and a metallic marker post that was once located 1 mile (1.6 km) from a station.[89][100][103]

Adjacent to the Trail in Vienna, the Freeman Store houses a museum of the town's history.[104] 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.[105]

A cupola caboose near the Trail in Vienna Centennial Park contains a museum that houses materials that the W&OD Railroad once used.[106] Staffed by members of the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, bearing on its sides the name "WASHINGTON & OLD DOMINION RAILROAD" and numbered 503, the caboose is open to the public during the afternoons on selected weekends and holidays. Near the caboose is a historical marker, an NVRPA information sign, a metallic crossbuck on a wooden post and a metallic marker post that was once located 1 mile (1.6 km) from a station.[107] A metallic white railroad whistle post with black markings is located in Vienna Centennial Park on the north side of the Trail between Church Street NE and the caboose.

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.[108]

 
Retired Norfolk & Western Railway caboose repainted and renamed to W&OD 504 after relocating to W&OD Railroad Regional Park near Herndon Depot Museum (August 2012)
 
Herndon Depot Museum in August 2012
 
View south from Luck Stone Quarry overlook in March 2012

The W&OD Railroad station in Herndon houses the Herndon Depot Museum, which the Herndon Historical Society operates.[109] The museum, which is open on Sundays from noon to 3:00 p.m. from March to mid-December, displays photographs and newspaper articles relating to the history of the Town of Herndon and the W&OD Railroad.[109]

The museum also contains materials that the railroad once used. The museum additionally contains information about the history of a nearby Norfolk and Western Railway cupola caboose whose sides bore the name and logo of the W&OD Railroad and the number 504 in 2006.[110] A railroad whistle post is located near the caboose.[111]

An overlook at the Luck Stone Quarry east of Goose Creek displays a large trap rock quarry.[112] This mineral provides bulk for concrete, macadam and paving stones.[113]

The W&OD Railroad station in Purcellville houses the Loudoun Visitors Center. The Visitors Center contains a W&OD Railroad historical display and hosts wine-tasting events. The Visitors Center is open from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from late April through October.[114]

Natural resources

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Most of the landscaping in the park is left in a natural state to preserve green space and to provide wildlife habitat.[5] 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,[115] Brandymore Castle[116] and Four Mile Run[117] in Arlington, Piney Branch and Difficult Run in Fairfax County,[118] and the confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek in Loudoun County.[119]

Park interpreters, local teachers, environmental groups and amateur naturalists use the park as a resource 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.[5]

Transmission lines

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Transmission lines over W&OD Trail in Loudoun County (March 2012)

The W&OD Trail lies beneath a set of electric power transmission lines between its trailhead and the 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.[120] 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.[121] In response, on November 15, 2005, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution of continued opposition to the installation of the proposed transmission lines along the Trail.[122]

Citing the impending loss of trees along its trail, the NVRPA asked the public on December 13, 2005, to oppose Dominion Virginia Power's application for the transmission line project in hearings that the State Corporation Commission (SCC) was planning to conduct as part of its review of the project.[123] During 2005, 2006 and 2007, the NVRPA submitted testimony and briefs to the SCC that opposed the construction of transmission lines along the route of the trail.[124]

In January 2007, an SCC hearing examiner recommended the construction of an overhead transmission line that would follow a wooded segment of the W&OD Trail between Leesburg and Clark's Gap.[125] After the SCC ordered the examiner to consider construction of an underground line along that segment of the trail, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted on June 5, 2007, a resolution that supported the location of the line along that segment only if the SCC required Dominion to "install the line underground at a minimum width with the least amount of impact".[125]

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 the same segment of the trail.[126] The Commission's approval order stated that the SCC had adopted the Examiner's recommendation against underground construction "due to both the physical, and the cost to the ratepayers, of the impacts that would result therefrom."[126]

Less than three weeks later, on March 4 and 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 segment of the trail as part of a statewide pilot program for the development of such types of transmission lines. Sponsored by Delegate Joe T. May (Republican - Loudoun),[127] 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.[128]

The legislation went into effect when Virginia Governor Tim Kaine approved it on April 2, 2008.[129] Soon afterwards, the power company asked the SCC to approve construction of the underground transmission line in accordance with the terms of the legislation. The SCC approved construction of the underground line on May 28, 2008.[130]

The NVRPA expected the project to result in a significant loss of trees, as the power company planned to dig trenches on each side of the paved trail while installing duct banks to house its conduits.[131] Supporting the NVRPA's expectation, Dominion Virginia Power noted that the environmental impacts associated with underground cable installation in suburban and rural areas are significantly greater than are those of overhead line construction.[132] The W&OD Trail closed for a year in the project area while the power company constructed its underground lines. The trail reopened to the public in November 2010.[133]

Future plans

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Arlington County

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In July 2020, NOVA Parks received a $650,000 grant from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) that enabled NOVA Parks to make plans to extend the organization's "Dual Trails" project for 2 mi (3.2 km) eastward from the City of Falls Church into Arlington County (from North Roosevelt Street to North Carlin Springs Road). Although NOVA Parks had asked NVTA for sufficient funds ($5,646,000) to complete the project, the NVTA awarded only the amount that NOVA Parks had requested for design, engineering and environmental work.[134]

The reduced award followed an NVTA public comment period that attracted more than 300 responders. Most comments supported the expansion, although the majority of comments that NVTA could identify as coming from Arlington opposed it.[135]

Loudoun County

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There have been plans to extend the trail west to Bluemont and the Appalachian Trail since the 1980s.[136][137] Loudoun County's 2003 Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan and Virginia's 2013 and 2018 Outdoors Plans recommend such extensions.[138]

However, difficulties in identifying a route and acquiring land have prevented construction of a trail along the W&OD Railroad's abandoned right-of-way west of Purcellville.[137] Further, construction has occurred on a portion of the former right-of-way that travels through Round Hill.[139]

For those reasons, the Loudoun County government is no longer considering such a route. Instead, the County is now constructing a new trail that will travel between Purcellville and Round Hill along VA-7 (Business) when completed.

In 2019, the County solicited bids to build a 0.6 miles (1.0 km) shared-use trail that would travel between Main Street (VA 719) in Round Hill and Franklin Park west of Purcellville along East Loudoun Street (VA-7 (Business)).[140] Construction started on the project in 2020 and reached completion at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 27, 2022.[141] That section of the trail will connect to a trail under design that will travel along West Main Street (VA 7 (Business)) to connect Franklin Park and downtown Purcellville. County planners estimated in 2023 that the Franklin Park - Purcellville trail would reach substantial completion during the spring of 2028.[142]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d 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. See photographs and description of the marker in Prats, J.J. (ed.). ""Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
    W & OD Trail. The 100-foot-wide Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD; Trail) features a 45-mile asphalt trail for walking, running, skating, bicycling and other activities and a 33-mile parallel, gravel bridle path for horseback riding and biking. The W & OD Trail traverses the Piedmont between the Potomac River and the Blue Ridge Mountains creating a recreation corridor extending from the Virginia suburb of Arlington to the farming areas of western Loudoun County.     In "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  2. ^ Multiple sources:
  3. ^ History of W&OD Railroad in NVRPA marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington in Arlington County, Virginia: Prats, J.J. (ed.). "Tracks into History: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
    August 27, 1968 - W&OD; freight service ends and the line is abandoned. Virginia Electric and Power Company (Virginia Power) immediately buys the property to protect its existing easements and for future expansion.
    1978 - After six years of negotiations with Virginia Power, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority purchases the right-of-way from Shirlington to Purcellville for use as a multi-use trail which is completed in 1988.     In "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Neville, Section 7, p. 2.
  5. ^ a b c "Pre-Filed Direct Testimony of Paul E. McCray on behalf of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority" (PDF). November 30, 2005. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017. 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, Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission. Obtained in "Case Docket Search". Virginia State Corporation Commission. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  6. ^ Titles of and links to webpages of many NOVA Parks historical markers along the W&OD Trail are listed in ""Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Historical Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  7. ^ Multiple sources:
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Arlington County Bike Map" (PDF). Bike Arlington. Government of Arlington County, Virginia: Department of Environmental Services. May 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Photographs and description of the area and markers at the W&OD Trail's trailhead:
  10. ^ "Map of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail" (PDF). NOVA Parks. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Announcement of May 30, 2009, ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the completion of a trail extension linking the W&OD Trail at its origin with the Four Mile Run Trail: "Arlington Enhances Scenic Four Mile Run Trail with New Extension: Ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate safety and aesthetic improvements". News Release. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  12. ^ Coordinates of W&OD Trail trailhead: 38°50′39″N 77°05′09″W / 38.844269°N 77.085878°W / 38.844269; -77.085878 (W&OD Trail trailhead)
  13. ^ "W&OD TRAIL and FOUR MILE RUN TRAIL" (PDF). Arlington County 2005 Small Bike Map. Arlington County Department of Environmental Services. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 14, 2006. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k W&OD Trail locations, distances and elevations in detailed maps of portions of the W&OD Trail accessed from "Location of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail". The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2021..
  15. ^ Multiple sources:
  16. ^ U.S. Geological Survey topographic map of Clarks Gap Archived October 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine from website of TopoQuest Archived September 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed October 8, 2009.
  17. ^ Jurisdictions from "Map of the W&OD". The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  18. ^ Distances in detailed maps of portions of trail accessed from "Location of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail". The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  19. ^ Height above sea level in feet at listed feature or at the nearest 0.5 mileage marker in detailed maps of portions of trail accessed from "Location of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail". The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  20. ^ "Eudora Park". Parks in Hunter Mill: Vienna Area Parks. Fairfax, Virginia: Fairfax County, Virginia government. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  21. ^ "Clarks Crossing Park". Parks in Hunter Mill: Vienna Area Parks. Fairfax, Virginia: Fairfax County, Virginia government. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Image of railroad tracks near W&OD Trail crossing of Ruritan Circle in Sterling". October 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Google Street View.
  23. ^ Green, Stephen (October 5, 1968). "Virginia Road Unit Buys Hot Shoppes at Twin Bridges". The Evening Star.
  24. ^ "Dominion History: Rebranding of Dominion". About Dominion. Dominion Resources. 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  25. ^ "Real Estate Transfers in Northern Virginia". Northern Virginia Sun. October 29, 1968.
  26. ^ Herbut, Paula (November 5, 1968). "New Vienna Park Plan is Approved". Northern Virginia Sun. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  27. ^ Walsh, Kenneth T. (May 6, 1969). "Town Asks Who Was Beulah". Northern Virginia Sun. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  28. ^ Love, Thomas (February 12, 1975). "Cyclists Say They're Due 1 Bike Trail". The Evening Star.
  29. ^ Stone, Sue (April 12, 1974). "Beltway Railroad Bridge To Go Down; But Will It Go Back Up?". Northern Virginia Sun. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  30. ^ a b c Beck, Jody (October 7, 1976). "The Trail of a Broken Dream". The Evening Star.
  31. ^ "Harwood, p. 108" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  32. ^ a b Beck, Jody (March 29, 1977). "Fairfax Supervisors Take Us a Step Closer to 42 Mile Bike Path". The Evening Star.
  33. ^ Multiple sources:
  34. ^ a b "Harwood, p. 109" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  35. ^ Hodge, Paul (April 27, 1978). "Grant Money To Benefit Bikers, Hikers". The Washington Post.
  36. ^ Hodge, Paul (October 18, 1979). "Trail Blazers". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  37. ^ Hodge, Paul (May 7, 1981). "Happy Trails!: Park Service Throws a Party To Celebrate Upgraded Bike Path: Popular Bike Path Gets a New Face Lift". The Washington Post.
  38. ^ a b "Major Extensions Of Bike Trail To Be Celebrated". The Washington Post. September 22, 1982. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  39. ^ Hodge, Paul (December 22, 1982). "$2.5-Million Bicycle Path Along I-66 Wins Praise". Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  40. ^ a b "Arlington Bike Trail To Be Reconstructed". The Washington Post. December 1, 1983.
  41. ^ Hodge, Paul (September 28, 1984). "Bikers and Hikers: All Aboard the W&OD". Lifestyle. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  42. ^ Multiple sources:
  43. ^ Multiple sources:
    • Hong, Peter Y. (April 14, 1994). "Bicyclists Receive A Boost". Local. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 15, 2021. Some Arlington residents, however, opposed a proposal to build a bicycle trail through a meadow in Bluemont Park. The trail is intended to replace a bikeway that now runs through a parking lot and next to several playing fields. The Planning Commission also did not support the new Bluemont Park trail.
      "It's a nice, wooded meadowland. It would be better to correct the congestion problem on the other side," where the existing trail is, said Robert G. Atkins, president of the Stonewall Jackson Civic Association.
    • "BCA Opposes Bypass Trail Plan" (PDF). Bluemont Civic Association Newsletter. 2 (1). Arlington County, Virginia: Bluemont Civic Association: 2–3. July 1999. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2012. The Bluemont Civic Association voiced its opposition to a proposed bypass bicycle trail before a June 28 hearing of the Arlington County Environment and Energy Conservation Committee. .... The proposal is intended to divert high-speed bicycle and skater traffic from the W&OD Trail in Bluemont Park by constructing a parallel bypass trail on the opposite side of Four Mile Run. The bypass would begin at the intersection of the W&OD Trail and the Bluemont Junction Trail near the soccer field, run on the original W&OD railroad right-of-way under the VEPCO power lines. While BCA supports the concept of a bypass, we are opposed to the bypass as planned, due to the likelihood of significant environmental damage, the lack of a proper Environmental Assessment and the omission of key interested parties in the decision making process. As proposed, the bypass would virtually eliminate a meadow and could significantly disrupt Four Mile Run.
    • Donahue, William T., County Manager (October 4, 2000). "Memorandum to The County Board of Arlington County, Virginia: 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". Arlington County, Virginia: Arlington County Government. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) has requested a License Agreement (License) from the County to permit NVRPA to construct and maintain a portion of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and related improvements in Bluemont Park where it crosses North Carlin Springs Road. ..... The proposed trail will connect the existing W&OD Trail from just south of Carlin Springs Road to the intersection of the W&OD Trail and the Bluemont Junction Trail, thereby providing an alternative for pedestrian and bicycle traffic from the Four Mile Run Trail through Bluemont Park. ..... The proposed trail would also connect the only unpaved portion of the W&OD Trail on NVRPA property along its 45 mile path from Arlington to Purcellville. ..... At North Carlin Springs Road, the proposed trail is on County property as it approaches and goes under the bridge at Four Mile Run. After crossing under the bridge, the trail reenters the NVRPA property, and crosses a new bridge to connect with the existing W&OD Trail. ..... The NVRPA has desired to connect the W&OD trail segments since the original construction of the trail. NVRPA's property adjacent to Bluemont Park is the last section of the railroad right of way to be developed with the trail. In the early 1990s, funding by NVRPA was proposed to be included in its capital budget and public discussion of the project was initiated. ..... Because of concerns about the environmental impacts of the project, the County Board directed that the trail connection be reviewed by the Environment and Energy Conservation Commission (E2C2), and that citizens and bicycle advisory groups be included in that review. ..... NVRPA has agreed to limit routine mowing along the new trail to three feet from the edge of the asphalt, to install a storm water detention facility, and to identify and establish alternate meadow sites both within the project area and elsewhere along the W&OD trail. NVRPA again reviewed alternate routes and determined that the suggested alternative routes would not resolve the safety issues and would have greater impact on the environment than the proposed route.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    • A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new W&OD Trail section in and near Bluemont Park took place on May 11, 2002. See: "Washington & Old Dominion Trail Ribbon Cutting and Tree Planting, 9:30 a.m., Bluemont Park". News Release: Arlington to Celebrate Sixth Annual Neighborhood Day May 11. Arlington County, Virginia: Arlington County Government. April 29, 2002. Archived from the original on October 31, 2004. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  44. ^ Multiple sources:
  45. ^ "Four Mile Run-Area Connector Trail Officially Debuts". Sun Gazette. October 30, 2009. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  46. ^ Multiple sources:
  47. ^ "The W&OD Trail Heads Towards The Mountains". The Washington Post. January 21, 1998. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  48. ^ Bates, Steve (November 8, 1990). "Trail Clears Hurdle". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  49. ^ "BIKE TRAIL REALIGNED". The Washington Post. July 4, 1991.
  50. ^ Multiple sources:
    • Kaplow, Bob (August 20, 1992). "WORK BEGINS ON BRIDGE TO PROTECT WOD TRAIL USERS CROSSING RTE. 7". The Washington Post.
    • "New W&OD Bridge To Open Next Month". The Washington Post. September 17, 1992.
  51. ^ Coordinates of W&OD Trail underpass beneath Reston Parkway: 38°57′25″N 77°21′17″W / 38.956859°N 77.354849°W / 38.956859; -77.354849 (W&OD Trail underpass beneath Reston Parkway)
  52. ^ Multiple sources:
  53. ^ "Wishing They'd Quit Working On Toll Road". The Washington Post. May 7, 1997.
  54. ^ "Fairfax County Parkway Earns Top Quality Award". Virginia Department of Transportation. April 1, 2003. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  55. ^ "Sugarland Run Trail Open". The Connection. December 6, 2005. Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  56. ^ Multiple sources:
  57. ^ Williams, Sherrill (June 22, 2011). "VDOT Opens Improved Pedestrian Bridge in Annandale". Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  58. ^ Multiple sources:
    • Arlington County Manager (October 28, 2014). "Award of contract for the construction of park improvements in Glencarlyn Park at the intersection of the W&OD Trail and Columbia Pike, located at 4955 Columbia Pike". Arlington County Board Agenda Item: Meeting of November 15, 2014. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. Retrieved June 25, 2020. As part of the Spring 2009 Neighborhood Conservation funding round, the Barcroft Civic Association requested a Parks improvement project within Glencarlyn Park at the intersection with Columbia Pike. Parks staff worked with the community to design a plaza and bicycle learning loop to address the lack of bicycle space for young and beginning cyclists within Arlington. Following the funding round and approval of the project, staff was made aware that the Department of Environmental Services (DES) planned streetscape improvements along Columbia Pike directly adjacent to the project site. Staff worked with DES to ensure that these two projects would be coordinated. Part of DES's project included realigning the W&OD trail as it crosses Columbia Pike to improve safety, upgrading utilities and improving the sidewalks along Columbia Pike. The DES Columbia Pike streetscape project also agreed to install a waterline to enable inclusion of a drinking fountain at the park.
    • "Glencarlyn Park Ribbon CuttingCeremony: December 5". Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 2, 2015. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2020 – via Facebook.
  59. ^ "ROUTE 7 WESTBOUND TRUCK CLIMBING LANES PROJECT WRAPS UP" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  60. ^ a b Coordinates of W&OD Trail underpass beneath VA 9 at Clarke's Gap: 39°08′27″N 77°36′45″W / 39.140700°N 77.612382°W / 39.140700; -77.612382 (W&OD Trail tunnel under VA 9 at Clarke's Gap)
  61. ^ "Location of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail (map 2)". The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Archived from the original on January 22, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2021..
  62. ^ Glick, Jenny (July 15, 2017). "Bridge over W&OD Trail to open ahead of schedule". WTOP. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  63. ^ Kimley-Horn and Associates (March 23, 2018). Loudoun County W&OD Trail Crossings Study: Phase II Prioritization of the At-Grade Crossings: Final Report (Report). p. 5. Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020. Crossing ID# 1 – NOVA Parks implemented a short-term improvement in the summer of 2017 at the W&OD Trail and South Sterling Boulevard at-grade crossing to address safety concerns. The improvements included removing one left turn lane to shorten crossing distance, installing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), and widening the median. The foregoing report is attachment 1 in the PDF document.
  64. ^ Multiple sources:
  65. ^ Multiple sources:
  66. ^ "An Unauthorized Bid to Rename W&OD Bridge?". June 8, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  67. ^ Woolsey, Angela (July 8, 2024). "Pedestrian bridge over Wiehle Avenue set to open tomorrow". Fairfax Now. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  68. ^ "Nova Parks has studied widening the W&OD Trail to 16 or 19 feet". The WashCycle: cycling advocacy in the nation's capital. June 22, 2017. Archived from the original on July 27, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  69. ^ a b Multiple sources:
  70. ^ Multiple sources:
  71. ^ Multiple sources:
  72. ^ Leayman, Emily (October 8, 2021). "Dual W&OD Trail For Pedestrians, Bicyclists Opens In Falls Church". Health and Fitness. Falls Church, Virginia: Patch. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021. Gilbert told Patch he hopes the dual trail will be expanded to other urbanized areas of the W&OD and encourages localities to add it into their transportation plans. The next phase of the dual trail will be in Arlington, with $650,000 for design funded by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority in its six-year funding program.
    "I envision over the next decade, more and more urban sections of the W&OD Trail will take on this dual trail methodology," said Gilbert.
  73. ^ "Washington and Old Dominion Trail". National Recreation Trail Database. Redding, California: American Trails. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  74. ^ Multiple sources:
  75. ^ Neville
  76. ^ Neville, Section 7, pp. 4–9.
  77. ^ "Stations Still Standing in Remembering The W&OD Railroad". www.RailServe.com by Christopher Muller. February 14, 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  78. ^ "NVRPA "Vienna Station" marker near the Vienna Station of the W&OD Railroad". "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series. HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2013. In "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  79. ^ Wood, Rebekah K. (May 3, 2002). "Vienna Depot: Description and Historical Significance: Vienna, Virginia. Prepared for the nomination of the Vienna Depot to the National Register of Historic Places". Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, 1847 to 1968: A Photographic History, by Paul McCray. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  80. ^ "NVRPA "Sunset Hills Station" marker". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2021. In "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  81. ^ "NVRPA "Herndon Station" marker". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2021. In "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  82. ^ "NVRPA "Hamilton Station" marker". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2021. In "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  83. ^ Kalbian, Maral S; Peters, Margaret T. (November 20, 2009). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service): Purcellville Train Station" (PDF). Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  84. ^ Director, National Park Service (June 4, 2010). "Weekly list of actions taken on properties for the National Register of Historic Places: 5/24/10 through 5/28/10". U.S. Department of the Interior: National Park Service. Archived from the original on August 30, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  85. ^ Multiple sources:
  86. ^ Undated photograph of stone arch culvert under W&OD Trail west of Simpson Circle near Paeonian Springs
  87. ^ Multiple sources:
  88. ^ Multiple sources:
  89. ^ a b Bird's eye satellite image of Bluemont Junction Railroad Display: Fernie, Steve (January 15, 2010). "Caboose at Bluemont Junction". Virtual Globetrotting. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  90. ^ Coordinates of electrical substation floor in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display: 38°52′23″N 77°07′57″W / 38.872958°N 77.132521°W / 38.872958; -77.132521 (Electrical substation floor in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display)
  91. ^ Multiple sources:
  92. ^ "NVRPA "West Falls Church Station" marker". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2021. In "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  93. ^ a b c d Neville, Section 7, p. 5.
  94. ^ Description and 1960 photograph of Goose Creek bridge in Williams, Appendix II, Bridges and Structures.
  95. ^ Multiple sources:
  96. ^ a b Undated photograph of trail bridge over Sycolin Creek
  97. ^ ""The Leesburg Lime Company" marker". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2021. In "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  98. ^ Multiple sources:
  99. ^ "A Quartet of Cabooses in Remembering The W&OD Railroad". RailServe.com by Christopher Muller. February 14, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  100. ^ a b ""Bluemont Junction" marker (Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority)". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2010. In ""Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
  101. ^ Multiple sources:
  102. ^ Trail sign near caboose, April, 2017.
  103. ^ Multiple sources:
  104. ^ ""Freeman Store and Museum" marker". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. March 12, 2012. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. In "Virginia Civil War Trails Markers series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011.
  105. ^ "Freeman Store and Museum". Historic Vienna, Inc. September 27, 2011. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  106. ^ Photograph of Vienna caboose: Swain, Craig (July 2, 2007). "Photograph of Caboose #503". "Vienna Centennial Park" marker. HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  107. ^ Multiple sources:
    • ""Vienna Centennial Park" marker". The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2008. After repeal of the laws requiring manned cabooses in Virginia, the Norfolk Southern Corporation announced that it would donate cabooses to deserving organizations. The Town of Vienna received a caboose because of the importance of the railroad in Vienna's history and its plans for a Centennial celebration. .... Vienna's caboose was built in 1948 and weighs over 30 tons. It was renamed and renumbered as W&OD Caboose #503. Vienna Centennial Park and the caboose are within the boundaries of the W&OD Regional Trail right-of-way by permission of Virginia Power and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
    • Informational booklet containing photographs of the existing caboose, crossbuck and "Station 1 Mile" railroad marker in Vienna Centennial Park and of a wood caboose bearing the name "Old Dominion" and the number 502: "Optimist Club of Greater Vienna W&OD Trail Caboose Museum". Optimist Club of Greater Vienna. April 27, 2010. Archived from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018. How old is this caboose? Answer. W&OD #503 is a newer all steel model built for the Norfolk and Southern Railroad in 1948 and moved here in 1990 as a community project and re-designated W&OD #503 as part of the town centennial.
    • "Caboose Open House Schedule: 2017". Optimist Club of Greater Vienna. 2017. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
    • Francis, Doug (May 2013). "Photograph of Vienna caboose, crossbuck and "Station 1 Mile" railroad marker". dougfrancis.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  108. ^ Multiple sources:
  109. ^ a b "Museum Information". The Herndon Historical Society. Archived from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  110. ^ Multiple sources:
    • "The Caboose". The Herndon Historical Society. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018. In 1989, longtime Society member and railroad aficianado George Moore located a surplus Norfolk and Western caboose, arranged for it to be transported to Herndon, and coordinated with the Herndon Department of Public Works to install the section of track on which it sits. Located adjacent to the W&OD trail—formerly the W&OD railroad line—the caboose serves as a reminder of the town's rail history. Although the caboose is now the property of the Town of Herndon the Society continues to monitor its condition and to fund the interior maintenance. Following his death in 2003, the caboose was dedicated in George's memory. In 2008, the interior was restored and the windows were improved to make them water tight.
    • Prats, J. J. (March 10, 2006). "Photograph of Herndon Caboose". "Tracks into History: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad" marker. HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  111. ^ Lipsky, Richard A., The Washington Post. Slide number 3 in slideshow in Fisher, Marc (April 24, 2008). "A Slight Gap Where the Sidewalk Ends". Opinions: Columns & Blogs. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 29, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2020..
  112. ^ Multiple sources:
  113. ^ Multiple sources:
  114. ^ "Loudoun Visitors Center in Purcellville: Wine Tastings & Information". Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association (Visit Loudoun). 2016. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016.
  115. ^ Multiple sources:
  116. ^ ""Brandymore Castle" marker". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2010. In "Virginia Civil War Trails Markers series". HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011.
  117. ^ 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°N 77.118831°W / 38.861582; -77.118831 (Natural area in Glencarlyn Park)
  118. ^ 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°N 77.288926°W / 38.923793; -77.288926 (Natural area in Clarks Crossing Park)
  119. ^ 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°N 77.518898°W / 39.070737; -77.518898 (Natural area near confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek)
  120. ^ Chairman Connolly; Supervisors Smyth and Hudgins (July 26, 2004). "Joint Board Matter pertaining to clearance of vegetation near W&OD Trail". Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Fairfax County, Virginia, government. Archived from the original on September 29, 2006. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  121. ^ Slideshow: "Western Loudoun 230 kV Transmission Line Update, October 5, 2004". Dominion. Archived from the original on October 13, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  122. ^ Multiple sources:
    • "Transmission Line Hearings". Week in Loudoun. Connection Newspapers. November 21, 2005. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
      The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has adopted a resolution of continued opposition to the installation of a proposed Dominion Virginia Power transmission line along the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Board Tuesday, Nov. 15, also calls for continued support of underground construction as the preferred method of installation.
      The Board's resolution states that ″Loudoun County and its citizens will be best served and least damaged″ if the proposed transmission facility is placed underground and not on the W&OD Trail. Dominion Virginia Power has filed an application with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to construct a new 230,000–volt transmission line in western Loudoun County, from the Pleasant View substation to the Hamilton substation.
    • Reyes, Denise, Deputy Clerk for the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (November 15, 2005). "Copy Teste: DOMINION VIRGINIA POWER TRANSMISSION LINE FROM THE PLEASANT VIEW SUBSTATION TO THE HAMILTON SUBSTATION". Office of the County Administrator, Loudoun County, Virginia. Leesburg, Virginia: Loudoun County, Virginia, Government. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
      Whereas, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Virginia Power ("Dominion" or "Virginia Power") has caused to be filed an application (the "Application:") with the State Corporation Commission (the "Commission") for the installation of a 230kV transmission facility within Loudoun County between the existing Pleasant View Substation and a proposed substation to be located east of the Town of Purcellville (the "Hamilton Station"); .....
      Whereas, Loudoun County and its citizens will be best served and least damaged if the proposed transmission facility is placed underground and is not placed on the W&OD Regional Park (the "W&OD Trail") in any configuration; now, therefore,
      Be It Resolved that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Loudoun, Virginia, on behalf of the citizens of Loudoun County, will continue to oppose any installation of the proposed facility along the W&OD Trail; and will continue to support the underground installation of the proposed facility if it is to be located within the County or any independent political subdivision of the Commonwealth located within the County; and
      Be It Further Resolved that the Board of Supervisors will continue to work with the Town of Leesburg, other incorporated towns, state legislators, other stake holders, the Commission, The Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia Power to achieve the purpose and intent of this Resolution, including the use of all legal means to ensure that any transmission facility is constructed in accordance with this Resolution      {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[permanent dead link‍]
  123. ^ Buschow, Barry (NVRPA Board Member) (December 13, 2005). "Dear Friends and Supporters of the W&OD Trail: NVRPA open letter asking public to oppose transmission line project on W&OD Trail in Loudoun County". W&OD Needs Your Help Again. MORE - Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  124. ^ Multiple sources:
  125. ^ a b Reyes, Denise, Deputy Clerk for the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (June 5, 2007). "Copy Teste: IN RE: PLEASANT VIEW — HAMILTON 230KV TRANSMISSION LINE". Office of the County Administrator, Loudoun County, Virginia. Leesburg, Virginia: Loudoun County, Virginia, Government. Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  126. ^ a b Multiple sources:
  127. ^ Multiple sources:
  128. ^ "Text of H 1319 (2008 Virginia Acts of Assembly -- Chapter 799: "An Act to establish a pilot program to place certain transmission lines underground.")" (PDF). Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line: SCC Approval Process. Dominion. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012. The Commission shall not be required to perform any further analysis as to the impacts of this route, including environmental impacts or impacts upon historical resources.
  129. ^ "Legislative history of HB 1319: "Underground transmission lines; pilot program established"". Virginia General Assembly. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  130. ^ Multiple sources:
  131. ^ "W&OD Trail Project Update: Underground Electric Transmission Lines: June 3, 2008" (PDF). nvrpa.org. Retrieved September 9, 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  132. ^ "Details on Underground Lines: Construction Impacts". Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line. Dominion. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  133. ^ "Project Schedule". Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line. Dominion. Archived from the original on June 11, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  134. ^ Multiple sources:
    • "Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Adopts $539M Funding Program to Reduce Congestion Throughout Region" (PDF). Press Release. Fairfax, Virginia: Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. July 9, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
    • "Four Arlington Transportation Projects to Receive Regional Funding". News. ARLnow.com. July 10, 2020. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020. Four major transportation projects in Arlington will receive tens of millions in regional funding, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority announced today. ....
      W&OD Trail Enhancements in Arlington, which would widen a busy, two-mile stretch of the W&OD Trail in Arlington. The plan has been criticized by a group of tree and environmental advocates worried about tree removal and stormwater runoff.
      The project is only set to receive $650,000 of the requested $5.6 million, which would have covered the entire cost.
    • "Arlington W&OD Trail Enhancements" (PDF). NVTA FY2020-2025 Six Year Program. Fairfax, Virginia: Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. March 5, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
    • "Funding approved to design dual-use segment of W&OD Trail in Arlington". Transportation Notes. Sun Gazette Newspapers: Inside NOVA. July 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) didn't get all the funding it was seeking to create a dual-use trail on about two miles of the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Trail in Arlington. ....
      The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority included $650,000 for design of the project in its recently adopted six-year, $539 million spending package. That was far less than the $5.64 million sought by NOVA Parks to cover the cost of design and construction, with a goal of segregating walkers from bicyclists on the popular trail in an effort to improve safety and mitigate congestion.
      The decision represented a compromise, after Arlington officials received complaints from some residents about the proposal. County Board member Katie Cristol said the decision "will allow NOVA Parks to move forward" and come back for "a more substantive conversation on impacts" at a future date.
  135. ^ "FY2020-2025 Six Year Program: Summary of Public Comments" (PDF). Fairfax, Virginia: Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. June 16, 2020. pp. 4, 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020..
  136. ^ "The W&OD Trail Heads Towards The Mountains". The Washington Post. January 21, 1998. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016..
  137. ^ a b Bates, Steve (November 8, 1990). "Trail Clears Hurdle". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016. Park Authority officials first must decide where they want the trail extension to go. The linear park follows the right of way of the defunct Washington & Old Dominion Railway between Shirlington, near Interstate 395, and Purcellville. But the portion of the train line's old path that is west of Purcellville is privately owned and probably unavailable for the trail extension, park officials said.
    The agency said it may try to find a new path through the rolling hills or, more likely, it may try to persuade the Virginia Department of Transportation to let it use part of the right of way along Route 7, which connects Purcellville and Bluemont
  138. ^ Multiple sources:
  139. ^ Thomas, Ann Whitehead (2004). A Story of Round Hill, Loudoun County, Virginia. Leesburg, Virginia: Friends of the Thomas Balch Library Inc. p. 224. ISBN 0-9724754-8-6. OCLC 58973927. Home of Virginia Scott Lincoln "at the intersection of Jail [Cedar] Street and the Southern boundary of R. R. property." [LDB-14-G-1790, 4 December 1953] Built in 1942 by Robert Grayson on land purchased by him from E. C. Iden [LDB-11-P-106, 28 April 1942]
  140. ^ "Long-planned Round Hill Trail Projects Move Toward Construction". Loudoun Now. September 9, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  141. ^ Multiple sources:
    • "Park to Purcellville Trail Options Get Early Airing". Loudoun Now. Leesburg, Virginia. June 8, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2019 – via Electronic Ink of Leesburg, VA.
      Construction is about to start on another trail project that will link Franklin Park to the Town of Round Hill. That work comes after a decade of planning.
    • "Active Project: Round Hill to Franklin Park Trail: Capital Projects Report: FY 2021 Oct - Nov - Dec: CAPITAL PROJECT REPORT" (annotated map with links to PDF files). Capital Projects Active and Planned in Loudoun County: Adopted FY 2017- FY 2023. Leesburg, Virginia: Loudoun County, Virginia, Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure. Retrieved March 18, 2021. This project designs and constructs a mixed use trail from the center of the Town of Round Hill to Franklin Park. .... In this quarter, initiated Phase 1 and 2 cut and fill operations for the trail within Franklin Park, installed E&S controls along East Loudoun Street, relocated the water line at East Loudoun Street and began the storm water infrastructure at East Loudoun Street. In the next quarter, H&SS expects to continue Phase 1 and 2 cut and fill operations at the park. Storm water infrastructure along East Loudoun Street will continue, weather permitting. The 3Q FY 2020 report referenced a delay in the project construction completion from fall 2021 to winter 2020; this was an error. The report should have reported the construction completion delay as winter 2022.
    • "Ribbon Cutting for Round Hill to Franklin Park Trail Project Set for September 27". County News. Leesburg, Virginia: Loudoun County, Virginia, government. September 13, 2022. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
    • "Franklin Park". Leesburg, Virginia: Loudoun County, Virginia, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Archived from the original on February 6, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019 – via Government Websites by CivicPlus.
      Franklin Park is a regional park in western Loudoun County. Its 203 acres of rolling hills harbor majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. .... The park opened on July 4, 1998, and offers a wide variety of outdoor activities.
  142. ^ Multiple sources:
    • "Park to Purcellville Trail Options Get Early Airing". Loudoun Now. Leesburg, Virginia. June 8, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2019 – via Electronic Ink of Leesburg, VA.
      About two dozen Purcellville area residents gathered at Emerick Elementary School on Wednesday night to learn more about plans to build a pedestrian and bicycle trail between the town and Franklin Park. ..... Now, the planners are looking at a 1.1-mile route from the park's swimming pool complex, following along Tranquility Road and then connecting with the sidewalk on Main Street at South 32nd Street. The main question is whether the path would be built on the north or south side of Rt. 7 Business/Main Street.
    • "Active Project: Franklin Park to Purcellville Trail: Capital Project Report: FY 2021 Oct - Nov - Dec" (annotated map with links to PDF files). Capital Projects Active and Planned in Loudoun County: Adopted FY 2017- FY 2023. Leesburg, Virginia: Loudoun County, Virginia, Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure. Retrieved March 18, 2021. This project provides funding to develop a trail alignment and preliminary design for a recreation trail from Franklin Park to the Town of Purcellville. .... In this quarter, the design consultant, Dewberry, analyzed options for the proposed trail to cross West Main Street (Business Route 7) at Tranquility Lane and preparations for a future public information meeting continued. In the next quarter, DTCI staff will schedule a public information meeting for the project. Since there are tight ROW and utility constraints associated with the proposed trail, additional time has been required to analyze alternative alignment options. As a result, the completion of the design phase has been delayed from fall 2020 to fall 2021.
    • "Franklin Park to Purcellville Trail". Projects, Studies & Plans. Leesburg, Virginia: Loudoun County, Virginia, government. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
    • "Franklin Park to Purcellville Trail". Hot Topics and Important Issues. Purcellville, Virginia: Town of Purcellville, Virginia, government. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.

References

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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), Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission. Obtained in "Case Docket Search". Virginia State Corporation Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
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), Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission. Obtained in "Case Docket Search". Virginia State Corporation Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
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  Media related to Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park at Wikimedia Commons

Maps and elevation tables

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