Light Rail on the WO&D… Uhm…

[JorgeGortex]

https://wtop.com/local/2025/04/advocates-push-to-build-commuter-rail-to-western-loudoun-co-along-wod-trail/

Nice idea for transportation purposes, but the construction woes and impact on the trail… yikes!

Topic

[randomduck]

That’s the rub of rail-trails: in the end they retain their rail right-of-way and can be reverted.

See the Purple Line reclaiming the Georgetown Branch as evidence.

[lordofthemark]

It’s not a good idea, IMO. If it’s done as light rail or commuter rail (rather than heavy rail metro) its not connected to an existing maintenance facility. It crosses multiple roads at grade – acceptable with the infrequent service on the Old W&OD RR, when the whole are was less dense – but to justify the investment in new track you’d need frequent service, and that level of road closure is simply not going to happen – so you would need an overpass at EACH road crossing. Adding to expense. It doesn’t actually give transit service to many dense areas – basically just old town Herndon, and Leesburg. There are several much more important rail transit projects around NoVa, not to mention bus rapid transit projects that need funding. Oh, and homeowners adjacent to the trail will fight this.

It’s a “crayonista” dream, no serious policy makers are interested.

[lordofthemark]

The trail will be restored along the Purple line when that is done, IIUC.

And the W&OD trail is not going anywhere. This is not a serious project. The best way to provide transit service to Leesburg is improved bus service on the Greenway. The rail line is being pushed by Loudoun County rail fans, afaict, not even by pols from out there.

Im very pro rail, but there are higher priority rail projects (can we finally get funding for the new Rosslyn station, first step towards a tunnel to Georgetown? For a yellow line extension to Hybla Valley?).

[Judd]

There’s a railfan guy at every meeting for the Alexandria power plant redevelopment who is the sole advocate for retaining the Norfolk Southern spur into Old Town instead of turning it into a park and trail.

[Alessandro Mires]

The issue of service levels and safety at crossings, especially during peak hours, is critical, and overpasses can significantly increase the cost of the project. It is also true that the route coverage is limited: if it does not pass through key population and employment centers, its effectiveness is questionable.
On the other hand, it is worth acknowledging that converting an old railway into a transport corridor is an idea that could be viable if properly developed. Perhaps not in the form of light rail transport, but, for example, as part of a hybrid solution with BRT or with phased implementation.
Something similar has been described on Tuttotek.

[Author]

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