4th track will start to untangle congested passenger rail service between Va. and DC

The major goal of Virginia’s partnership with Amtrak, CSX and Virginia Railway Express is to reduce frequent bottlenecks of passenger and freight trains traveling between Virginia, D.C. and up and down the East Coast.

Final design is underway to construct 6 miles of a fourth railroad track between Alexandria and Arlington. Eventually, the four tracks will be integrated with the Long Branch construction, to create an opportunity to separate freight and passenger rail service.

https://wtop.com/local/2023/05/4th-trac ... va-and-dc/

It should be noted that prior to the closing of Potomac Yard passenger trains made use of 2 track that bypassed the yard from RO to AF. At that time there were 4 tracks passing through Alexandria Union Station.

Sand Box John wrote: ↑Tue May 09, 2023 9:12 pm It should be noted that prior to the closing of Potomac Yard passenger trains made use of 2 track that bypassed the yard from RO to AF. At that time there were 4 tracks passing through Alexandria Union Station.

I remember on the 611 excursions out of ALX, as a kid, it was 4 tracks.
When did one get removed?

scratchyX1
I remember on the 611 excursions out of ALX, as a kid, it was 4 tracks.
When did one get removed?

It was removed in the early 1990s after Potomac Yard was decommissioned in 1989.

The realignment of the mainline tracks from the west side of former site of the yard to it present location was done around the same time.