04-06-24 Classic Photos: Camden Line WMATA Trip

Back in the spring of 2004 I was on break from school and figured I should use the opportunity to explore some of the DC Metrorail system with fellow enthusiast Oren "Mr. Metrorail" Hirsch. Not entirely sure what all we did that day since my camera wasn't great in the low light tunnels, however it seems I went out to Vienna-Fairfax, the Yellow Line terminal at Huntington and eventually, Greenbelt, MD. My return to Baltimore was via the MARC Camden Line, where I was able to get some photos of the B&O CPL signaling out the rear. You can find the full gallery of photos here ( mirror ).

I'll begin part way through the trip at the Huntington Yellow Line terminal with a recently rebuilt 2k series car, #2066, looking pretty snappy. It's easy to overlook the 70's charm of the classic WMATA cars. 

The unique design of the station is partly above ground similar to Ft Totten on the Green Line. Huntington is one of only two stations that are exclusive to the Yellow Line and although it seems that it was built with a southward extension in mind, there are currently no such plans. Huntington station also has Metrorail's only incline elevator, which we rode to get this photo looking down on the station.

2k car #2073 also at Huntington. The 2k cars had been recently renovated with the new look 90's interior.

The motivation for visiting Huntington was the installation of WMATA's first public self cleaning restroom by Exeloo. We stayed inside after use to witness the full cleaning cycle, although I unfortunately did not yet have a digital video capability. The Exeloo is still in place, although it has not functioned since 2017. Between 2003 and 2019 WMATA spent over $400,000 maintaining the system.

At DC Union Station we traveled up to the parking deck to look down on the station tracks and K TOWER. Over in the Amtrak NEC section we were able to identify AEM-7 #942, HHP-8 #652 and combination Phase IV heritage and 9/11 tribute AEM-7 #911.

On the MARC tracks were a pair of GP40WH-2s including #62.

It's impossible to understate just how much the area north of Union Station has changes. In 2003 the New York Ave station was still being built in pretty much a vacant area of the city. Today everything except the tracks themselves has been replaced by mid-rise office and residential development. Also visible in this photo is the low rise Greyhound terminal that was demolished around 2014.

Traveling to Greenbelt we find 3k car #3015 with an old school manual destination sign sitting next to 5k car #5113. The brown brake grime on the 3k cars contrasts with the shiny aluminum of the brand new 5k's. The grime is actually a function of the car cleaning process, not age.

I made an effort to get some photos of the B&O CPL signals at Greenbelt, but would ultimately need to return 16 years later to finish the job.

Heading back on the MARC Camden Line passing through HALETHORPE interlocking where the B&O interlocking tower actually outlasted the interlocking, which was replaced and removed in 2006.

MARC GP40WH-2 #52 departing the Baltimore Camden Terminal on the dedicated MARC track while the eastbound train enters Bailey's Wye on track #1.

I assume I came in on this trainset parked at the Camden terminal that featured not only a sibling pair of GP40WH-2's, #64 and #65, but also one of the converted heritage fleet long distance coaches that bulked out MARC's roster before the arrival of the Nippon cars. These would be stored and then disposed of in the coming years.

I'll close out with this photo of MTA Maryland LRV #5048 at the Camden Light Rail station. 20 years later these venerable LRV's were chosen for a rebuild over a new equipment purchase.

That's all for this set of Classic Photos, just wanted to belatedly thank Oren and his friend whom I also see on Facebook from time to time for a great day!