by Volanova
I'm looking to learn a little more about the old industrial branch lines that served the waterfront and power station in the Old Town section of Alexandria, Virginia. It branches off the Norfolk Southern (I think...) main line just north of the Route 1 overpass, loops back past the power station (which ceased operations in 2012), and continues on to the waterfront to a small warehouse district at Pendleton and Union streets. There used to be an active port terminal complex here that has since fallen into disuse because of a lack of modern crane facilities and small wharves that are unable to handle anything other than small break-bulk cargo ships and barges, and were last used to deliver newsprint, possibly as late as 1998.
It appears as though the line fell in to disuse after the closure of the power station, when it was no longer needed to bring coal fuel to the station. The lines near the station are still in decent condition, with marked at-grade road crossings, intact ballast, and minimal overgrowth, though the sleepers do appear to be starting to rot in places.
Anyone have any idea of the history of this little branch, or the industry it served other than the power plant? I'd love to know the history of the seaport, and when the last ships docked at the two remaining terminal wharves in Alexandria.
It appears as though the line fell in to disuse after the closure of the power station, when it was no longer needed to bring coal fuel to the station. The lines near the station are still in decent condition, with marked at-grade road crossings, intact ballast, and minimal overgrowth, though the sleepers do appear to be starting to rot in places.
Anyone have any idea of the history of this little branch, or the industry it served other than the power plant? I'd love to know the history of the seaport, and when the last ships docked at the two remaining terminal wharves in Alexandria.