In 2014, the first phase opening was scheduled for a weekend morning which made it pretty easy to attend. Unfortunately the phase 2 opening was set for the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, which required me having to leave work early and make and catch a train with 7k car #7694 at Greenbelt.
Pacing a CSX intermodal train on the adjacent Capitol Sub west of Greenbelt.
The on board maps had already been updated. The phase 2 segment would open a total of six stations between Wiehle-Reston and Ashburn including flagship stop at Dulles International Airport.
The on board maps had already been updated. The phase 2 segment would open a total of six stations between Wiehle-Reston and Ashburn including flagship stop at Dulles International Airport.
The other problem was the absolutely abysmal weather. Mid-November is always cool, but this day was outright cold with a miserable drizzle that never let up and blocked the waning late afternoon sun. Here we find 6k car #6120 that due to service cutbacks wound up leading the final "Phase 1" arrival at Wiehle-Reston.
The plan for a VIP train to depart Wiehle-Reston at the proscribed time and run express to Ashburn at which the first two revenue trains would begin their journeys. As you can see here the Ashburn express is showing on the track #2 departure board, however the "classic style" 6k trainset was occupying track #2.
Of course the Metro brass wasn't going to put the VIP's on a "classic" style train and I think the plan was to pull the 6k into the pocket and replace it with another 7k set, but then the VIP ceremony was delayed by about 20 minutes and the decision was made to use the 7k set led by #7646 on track 1 and cross it over via the Wiehle-Reston pocket track.
The VIP train, dubbed the Silver Ticket Express, was intended for both VIPs and a group of 50 regular riders chosen by lottery. I had been expecting a degree of access control, but when the ribbon-cutting participants finished up with their thing and marched down to the platform, the 7k train on track #1 was just sitting there with all of its doors open like any other. Being announced as "Ashburn express departing on track #1" I decided to just get on the front car that was only populated by a pair of "winning" railfans.
Although one of the two fans was able to finagle his GoPro up on the front window I did my best to document the express run zooming through both front windows. The results weren't great due to the rain, but I still managed to capture the express-ness. Unfortunately the train had to reduce speed through the stations and was held to 45mph to reach Ashburn on schedule.
#7646 at Ashburn, which had that new station smell. Unfortunately the vast majority of railfans had chosen to take the first inbound train from Ashburn and when I arrived they had already run out of pennants.
The WMATA GM was taking photos with some of the actual Silver Ticket winners before piling back on the same trainset, not led by 7k car #7568, for a revenue run back towards DC.
The front car was packed full of VIP's, railfans and press.
I struck out on pennants at Herndon, but found #2064 instead.
I finally managed to find a supply of pennants at Innovation Center, one of which is seen here with my Silver Line Phase 1 commemorative SmarTrip card. I had purchased the card at Wiehle-Reston in 2014 and it still had its initial $10 value that I was able to use for my Phase 2 fare!
Of course I had to go check out the new Dulles Airport station.
Heading back inbound on #6118, I was trying to meet up with Sandbox John from the Subchat Message board.
I didn't locate John, but I did run into the WMATA GM again at Herndon Station where he was having a chat with one of the first Dulles riders, a United pilot who had not only been aware of the opening time, but made a point to use the new service.
Healthy opening day crowds with their Metro swag bags at Herndon.
Daylight was fading quickly and with a 90 minute travel time back to Greenbelt, I decided to call it a day. Here is #3268 at L'Enfant Plaza along with #6083, leading my eastbound Green Line train.
I'll close things out with this cab speed indication on the #2 signal at L'Enfant Plaza.
Next time its back to RBMN country to bag more searchlights.
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