I put together this quick-and-dirty overlay of the proposed changes to the easternmost yard in Georgetown from the late 1940s compared to the current satellite photo. As you can see, it’s quite a striking difference. Probably the only thing still in place are the bulkheads along the waterways and the Whitehurst Freeway. Fascinating.
Just discovered this while perusing some websites. It dates back to 2008 but it includes links to the author’s Flickr page with many photos of this iconic bridge that dates back nearly 100 years! Interesting read. Enjoy!
Mr. Norm Nelson, an oft-quited source for B&O history passed away Monday. I met and got to know Norm on a few occasions when working at the B&ORRHS archives and at various meetings and get-togethers. He was always friendly and approachable, full of wonderful stories and detailed descriptions of how the railroad operated, what it was like and what the people who worked the trains were like. I remember one entertaining story in particular that had to do with a dispatcher in DC accidentally making some inappropriate comments into an open mic which was broadcast down the line to where Norm was waiting with his crew. He said that there were some funny responses back to the dispatcher which I’m not going to mention here. He was such an amazing contributor to the B&O Yahoo! Group as well, and a search through their archives will reveal a trove of first hand stories about the B&O and its inner workings. Some folks on the list will admit that they stick around just to hear his input. Norm, you will be missed. Hope you’re having fun with all the other ‘Domers up there sharing stories of the good old days. Thank you.
I recently discovered the most excellent Bethesda Chevy Chase Back In The Day Facebook group, which is loaded with memories from back in the day. A few railroad related photos and stories, which are fun, but I particularly enjoyed this dark, psychedelic film which ends with a sort of twisted murder rampage. It’s not that graphic but the music and filming style makes it pretty fun to watch. Anyway, what’s this got to do with the Georgetown Branch? Well, the final “scene” of the film part of this movie was staged on the bridge across Bradley Blvd.! You get some neat scenes (albeit short) showing the tracks and surrounding area. Enjoy!
Bethesda ’74-75 – featuring a short clip of the Georgetown Branch
I was interviewed for an article recently published in the Gazette, a local Montgomery County paper. The article covers the tracks recently uncovered in Bethesda (old team tracks, I believe) and how they provide a link to Bethesda’s industrial past. I myself got to see some of the tracks uncovered a month ago and it was a really special sight.
The article is available to read here: http://www.gazette.net/article/20120829/NEWS/708299661/1123/construction-project-reveals-ties-to-bethesda-s-past&template=gazette
Mr. Mumford passed away last Tuesday unexpectedly on Dec 13, 2011. His enthusiasm and pride for each and every photograph and story he shared with me was wonderful. I always considered his photo collection depicting the Georgetown Branch as the “missing link” of my research. I have never found any other sets of photos that document the railroad in the 40s and 50s as well as his. He was always friendly and helpful to me and I will never forget that. God Speed, Mr. Mumford.
To view photographs from the collection, click here.
Anyone who follows the Metro Purple Line news knows the Georgetown Branch between Bethesda and Silver Spring (the Metropolitan Branch) is about to undergo a major transformation. The most significant since the line was removed in the 1980s and 1990s and perhaps since it was laid down in the early 1890s. The Metro is planning to build a new line connecting Silver Spring and Bethesda, built on the old Georgetown Branch road bed. The Capital Crescent Trail will remain as a dual line trail, with half being for trail users and the other half being for the light rail. It will be an impressive feat and on one hand I’m sad to see more of the Georgetown Branch right-of-way go away, but on the other hand this will be the closest I’ll get to being able to ride the rails of the GB itself! Very excited about that. How wonderful will it be to swing down away from the Met and cruise through the woods, across Rock Creek and into Bethesda?
The Purple line transformation will be enormous. I just saw this PDF map posted on another blog and realized just how massive the changes will be. If I want to get photos of existing right of way, now is the time.
Found this neat shot on eBay and scooped it up right away. It’s an original 35mm negative showing B&O S1 226 parked in Georgetown in the “new yard”. Very excited about this one, as I have this model in HO scale and it will have a home on my layout. This image is similar to one found on G. Elwood’s Fallen Flags site, found here. Enjoy!
I’ve found quite a lot of GB photos, maps and documents over the years and I share most of what I find in my Gallery. (only if I have permission, of course) These files are exciting to anyone like me who treasures the hard-to-find imagery of the GB and even harder to find documentation. Here are a couple links to some Galleries that have some of my newer finds:
Georgetown Branch maps, photos – including track charts, building plans and photos.
http://gallery.sluggyjunx.com/railroad_and_industrial/georgetownbranch/gb_prototype_photos/misc_prototype_photos
R. Pearlman collection – a few color slides from one of the railfan excursions!
http://gallery.sluggyjunx.com/railroad_and_industrial/georgetownbranch/gb_prototype_photos/rpearlman
My layout (basement) construction photos
http://gallery.sluggyjunx.com/railroad_and_industrial/georgetownbranch/modelrailroad/2010-11_model_rr
It’s been a while since I’ve made an update here, so I figured I’d check in and let everyone know how things have been moving forward. I’m still collecting information on the Georgetown Branch, via friends, acquaintances and online sources like eBay. I’ve found a handful of great images, some of which I’ve shared in the Gallery and others which I’m trying to find ways to scan (odd-shaped negatives). My real focus over the last several months has been working on the model railroad. Well, the room that will house the model RR and the workshop next to it, actually. Between being laid off in November, saving money, planning, buying materials and having friends and family assist in the actual construction, I’ve made some real progress. The layout room and the workshop are nearly complete. Right now I’m in the process of moving back into the rooms and fitting all my tools, model kids and other junk back into them. My layout room is functioning as staging while I outfit the workshop first. One step at a time.
I’m also working out a whole new track plan. The initial track plan I drew up for this new house incorporated nearly all of the GB elements I wanted to include; Georgetown Jct., Rock Creek trestle, Bethesda, Dalecarlia tunnel and the reservoir facilities, C&O Canal bridges and Georgetown. I’d like to include Chevy Chase, but I have to work hard to fit that in. The current space is slightly larger and allows for me to put the helix outside of the room, giving me a whole new approach to the design. As such, I’m attempting to modify the original plan to fit the new space, and hopefully fit Chevy Chase into the design. We shall see.
I hope you all will stay tuned to my progress. I hope to share some stories here as I move forward. I’ve been inspired by similar blogs and sites that outline layout construction and design and if I can find/make the time, I will. I’ve learned so much through this process. From gutting the room right down to the studs, removing and re-routing all of the electrical lines and designing and building the new room from scratch. Learning to frame, install insulation, drywall and electrical, it’s all been awesome. But now the real fun begins. The layout is about to be started. Thanks!
