Misplaced Pages

The Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad (GF&OD) was an interurban trolley line that ran in Northern Virginia during the early 20th century.

History

Chartered in 1900 by a group of local landowners and acquired in 1902 by John Roll McLean (owner of The Washington Post) and Senator Stephen Benton Elkins, the 15-mile electrified railroad began operating from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., in 1906. The first trial run was in March 1906, but only went as far as Difficult Run and the first scheduled car reached Great Falls Park in Fairfax County, Virginia, on July 3 of that year. They laid a second track in 1908.

From Georgetown, the railroad crossed the Potomac River on a superstructure built on the upstream side of the old Aqueduct Bridge to Rosslyn in Arlington, where it made connections with an older electric trolley line, the Washington, Arlington & Falls Church Railway (see Northern Virginia trolleys). From Rosslyn, the railroad traveled northwest along the north side of Lee Highway (now part of U.S. Route 29) to Cherrydale and then on its own right-of-way (now Old Dominion Drive, Virginia State Route 309) in Arlington and Fairfax Counties through forests, farmland and fruit orchards, bypassing the existing villages of Lewinsville and Langley. At Great Falls, the GF&OD constructed a trolley park, which became a popular destination.

The owners gave their own names to two stations located at the railroad's crossings of major roads: McLean Station at Chain Bridge Road (Virginia State Route 123) and Elkins Station at Old Georgetown Pike (Virginia State Route 193). The station at Chain Bridge Road became a focus for development that evolved into the community of McLean, Virginia.

In 1911, McLean and Elkins incorporated the Washington & Old Dominion Railway (W&OD) and in 1912, the new W&OD signed a 50-year lease on the Southern Railway's Alexandria-Bluemont line. In the same year, it then constructed a double-tracked Bluemont Division connecting line that traveled between two new junctions in Arlington: Bluemont Junction on the Alexandria-Bluemont line and Thrifton Junction on the Georgetown-Great Falls line. The Georgetown-Great Falls line became the Great Falls Division of the W&OD, sharing trackage with the W&OD's Bluemont Division between Rosslyn and Thrifton Junction. In 1935, Fairfax and Arlington counties obtained the right-of-way west of Thrifton Junction in settlement of delinquent taxes. Most of the right-of-way was converted into Old Dominion Drive.

Remnants

Not much remains of the Great Falls Division.

The right-of-way west of Thrifton Junction became Langston Blvd (formally Lee Highway) and Old Dominion Drive; and the right-of-way between the Key Bridge and Thrifton Junction became Interstate 66. The trestle over Difficult Run lasted until 1979, when it was replaced because it could not handle the loads required of it.

Great Falls Trolley Park became Great Falls Park, part of the National Park Service.

Several area names, like the town of McLean, also remain.

Stations

Download coordinates as:

• KML
• GPX (all coordinates)
• GPX (primary coordinates)
• GPX (secondary coordinates)

The stations on the Great Falls Division of the W&OD (with locations of sites in 2008) were:

Maps

W&OD Railway system maps

• "Washington and Old Dominion Railway system map". c. 1920. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via r2parts.net.

Topographic Maps

• 1915 topographic map of northwestern Fairfax County, showing the route of the W&OD Railway's Great Falls Division (Electric RR) between Difficult Run and Great Falls: Marshall, R. B.; Sutton, Frank (1915). "Topography: Virginia: Fairfax Quadrangle". Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Interior: United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 20, 2020 – via Virginia Historical Topographic Maps, Perry–Castañeda Library Map Collection, Perry–Castañeda Library, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.
• 1915 topographic map of Washington, D.C., the city of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Falls Church and northeastern Fairfax County, showing the route of the W&OD Railway's Great Falls Division between Georgetown and Great Falls: Marshall, R. B.; Sutton, Frank (1915). "Topography: Maryland — District of Columbia — Virginia, Washington and vicinity". Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Interior: United States Geological Survey. LCCN 87691472. Retrieved July 24, 2020 – via Library of Congress.
• 1917 topographic map of Washington, D.C., the city of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Falls Church and northeastern Fairfax County, showing the route of the W&OD Railway's Great Falls Division between Georgetown and Great Falls: Marshall, R. B.; Sutton, Frank (1917). "Washington and Vicinity: Maryland: District of Columbia: Virginia". Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Interior: United States Geological Survey. LCCN 87691475. OCLC 15519039. Retrieved July 24, 2020 – via Library of Congress.
• 1929 topographic map of Washington, D.C., the city of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Falls Church and northeastern Fairfax County, showing the routes of the W&OD Railway's Great Falls Division between Rosslyn and Great Falls:"Washington and Vicinity: Maryland: District of Columbia: Virginia". Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Interior: United States Geological Survey. 1929. LCCN 87693006. OCLC 15653164. Retrieved July 24, 2020 – via Library of Congress.

See also

• Northern Virginia Trolleys
• Washington and Old Dominion Railroad

Notes

1. Harwood, p. 37.
2. Harwood, pp. 39-40.
3. Burns, John. "The llistirry of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad" (PDF). Retrieved July 20, 2023.
4. Undated photograph of Great Falls & Old Dominion Railroad car crossing the Potomac River on the Aqueduct Bridge
5. "Undated photograph of Washington & Old Dominion Railway tracks and Lee Highway near Cherrydale". Retrieved November 9, 2018 – via Pinterest.
6. "Bridge Work". The Washington Post. February 15, 1979.
7. Locations of stations from distances along railroad route from Interstate Commerce Commission. "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Maps". Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: History. NOVA Parks. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2018. and Harwood, pp. 139 and 141.
8. Side of tracks from Interstate Commerce Commission. "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Maps". Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: History. NOVA Parks. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
9. ^ "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 2" (PDF). W&OD Railroad Maps. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
10. Rosslyn Station historical marker located at site of Bluemont Junction station of Washington and Old Dominion Railroad.
11. Albee, Carrie E.; Trieschmann, Laura V. (EHT Traceries. Inc.) (November 2002). "Maywood Historic District" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places: Registration Form. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. p. 65 (Section 8). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018. and Accompanying map
12. Albee, Carrie E.; Trieschmann, Laura V. (EHT Traceries. Inc.) (November 2002). "Maywood Historic District" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places: Registration Form. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. p. 50 (Section 8). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
13. ^ "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 3" (PDF). Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: History: W&OD Railroad Maps. NOVA Parks. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
14. ^ Albee, Carrie E.; Trieschmann, Laura V. (EHT Traceries. Inc.) (November 2002). "Maywood Historic District" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places: Registration Form. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. 59–60 (Section 8). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
15. 1929 topographic map of Washington, D.C., the city of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Falls Church and northeastern Fairfax County, showing the location of the Lee Heights station on the W&OD Railway's Great Falls Division: "Washington and Vicinity: Maryland: District of Columbia: Virginia". Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Interior: United States Geological Survey. 1929. LCCN 87693006. OCLC 15653164. Retrieved July 24, 2020 – via Library of Congress.
16. Harwood, p. 141.
17. "Old Dominion Citizens' Association Neighborhood Conservation Plan" (PDF). Government of Arlington County, Virginia. pp. 8–10. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
18. Note: Rixey station in undated photo Archived June 12, 2017, at the Wayback Machine was on southwest side of tracks, east of N. Glebe Road (Coordinates: 38°54′14″N 77°07′41″W / 38.903779°N 77.128192°W / 38.903779; -77.128192 (Former location of later Rixey Station (Great Falls & Old Dominion Railroad)).
19. ^ "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 4" (PDF). Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: W&OD Railroad Maps. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
20. ^ "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 5" (PDF). Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: W&OD Railroad Maps. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
21. "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 5" (PDF). Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: W&OD Railroad Maps. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
22. Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail. "The Georgetown Branch Railroad". HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database (photographed by Tom Fuchs, Greenbelt, MD, January 21, 2006). Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2012. Description of planned Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad branch in Virginia.
23. ^ "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 6" (PDF). Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: W&OD Railroad Maps. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
24. ^ "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 7" (PDF). Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: W&OD Railroad Maps. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
25. ^ "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 8" (PDF). Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: W&OD Railroad Maps. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2015.

References

• Harwood, Herbert H. Jr. (April 2000). "Chapter 3: The Great Falls Trolley: 1903-1911". Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847 – 1968 (PDF) (3rd ed.). Fairfax Station, Virginia: Northern Virginia Parks Authority. pp. 33–42. ISBN 0-615-11453-9. LCCN 77104382. OCLC 44685168. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2020. 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 July 25, 2020.

Further reading

• Williams, Ames W (1989). The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad. Arlington, Virginia: Arlington Historical Society. ISBN 0-926984-00-4. OCLC 20461397.
• Interstate Commerce Commission (July 1, 1916). "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Maps". Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: History: W&OD Railroad Maps. NOVA Parks. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
• King, W.E. (1934-07-19). Index map showing Washington & Old Dominion Railway's line abandoned in relation to other railroads and common carriers in lower left corner of "GF&OD Railroad 1916 ICC Valuation Map No. 3" (PDF). Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park: History: W&OD Railroad Maps. NOVA Parks. July 1, 1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.

External links

• "Historic Great Falls of Potomac: Scenic Beauty Around Great Falls and Picturesque—Waterfalls Reached by the Washington, Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad". Industrial and Historical Sketch of Fairfax County, Virginia. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. 1907. p. 92. Retrieved April 10, 2021 – via Google Books.
• "Historical Background: Old Dominion Drive Notable Facts (Formerly the Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad)". greenwayheightshistory.com. Eloise Lorenze. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019. Photographs of stations, tickets and promotional materials about the Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad and the Great Falls Division of the Washington & Old Dominion Railway.
• "Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority historical marker: "The Great Falls Line"". The Historical Marker Database. February 2, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
• Swain, Craig (photographer) (November 22, 2009). "Circa 1920 system map of Washington and Old Dominion Railway". Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2015. In "Close-up of the Railroad Map". Photograph number 2 in "Bluemont Junction" marker. The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved December 28, 2015. Map shows stations and route of Great Falls Division of W&OD (former route of GF&OD).
• McCray, Paul (October 25, 2020). "Great Falls & Old Dominion Railroad and the W&OD Railway" (video). NOVA History Remembered. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021 – via YouTube. (10:32 minutes)

• Defunct Virginia railroads
• Defunct Washington, D.C., railroads
• Streetcars in Virginia
• Streetcars in Washington, D.C.
• Transportation in Arlington County, Virginia
• Transportation in Fairfax County, Virginia
• Electric railways in Virginia
• Interurban railways in Virginia
• Interurban railways in Washington, D.C.