Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park is a popular and unusually-shaped regional park in Northern Virginia. The park's primary feature is the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail (abbreviated as W&OD Trail), an asphalt-surfaced paved rail trail that runs through densely populated urban and suburban communities as well as through rural areas. [Description and map of W&OD Trail in NVRPA "Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park" marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington in Arlington County, Virginia. Photographs and description of marker in [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406 "Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker] page "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.] [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/17/AR2008061702948.html Uenuma, F., "A Long Journey on the Trail: The W&OD Is Park, Path and Community, And Paul McCray Has Been the Man in Charge", Washington Post, June 19, 2008, Loudoun Extra, p. LZ12] "in" [http://www.washingtonpost.com Washington Post official website] Accessed June 20, 2008.] Most of the trail travels on top of the rail bed of the former Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, which closed in 1968. [History of W&OD Railroad in NVRPA [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2500 "Tracks into History"] marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington in Arlington County, Virginia. Photographs and description of marker in [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] "in" [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.]

Although the park is convert|44.7|mi|lk=on long, it is only about convert|100|ft|lk=on wide. The rail trail is approximately convert|10|ft wide through much of its length and is suitable for walking, running, cycling, and roller skating. A crushed bluestone surfaced bridle path travels near the paved trail in the park's last convert|32|mi. [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 2, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 7 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 24, 2008]

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) administers and maintains the park and its trails. NVRPA keeps most of the parkland surrounding the trails in a natural state. The park authority has placed alongside the paved trail a series of mile markers and a number of interpretative exhibits that describe the historic and natural features of the park. [Direct Testimony of Paul E. McCray, page 6, "in" NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005, Part 1 of 5, page 37 of 59; obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 21, 2008] [Photographs and descriptions of some, but not all, NVRPA exhibits along the W&OD Trail are included in the [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.]

The headquarters office of the park is near the east side of the trail at Smith's Switch Road near Ashburn. [ [http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/wod/index.php Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park page] on [http://www.nvrpa.org Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority official website] . Accessed March 17, 2008.] A park rest stop is adjacent to the trail near the park's headquarters.

Trail route

The W&OD Trail begins near the Nauck neighborhood in the Shirlington section of Arlington County, close to the boundary between the County and the City of Alexandria. [History of the Nauck neighborhood in NVRPA's [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2504 "Nauck: A Neighborhood History"] marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington in Arlington County, Virginia, "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.] The trail ends in Purcellville in western Loudoun County. Its route largely parallels the routes of the Potomac River and Virginia State Route 7 (VA Route 7).

The trail connects at its origin to the paved Four Mile Run Trail, which travels eastward through Arlington along a stream embankment to meet the Mount Vernon Trail at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, near the Potomac River. [ [http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/images/11x17_05.pdf "W&OD TRAIL" and "FOUR MILE RUN TRAIL" "in" "Arlington County 2005 Small Bike Map"] "in" [http://www.arlingtonva.us Arlington County Government official website] Accessed June 11, 2008.] The start of the trail is also accessible from the Shirlington exit (Exit 6) of Interstate 395 (I-395) (the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway).

The trailhead (Mile 0) is at the intersection of South Shirlington Road and South Four Mile Run Drive. [Photographs and description of the area and markers at the W&OD Trail's trailhead in [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406 "Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker] page "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.] The trail starts in the Atlantic Coastal Plain at the trail's lowest elevation (convert|141|ft above sea level). [Trail elevations from first chart and graphic representation in [http://www.wodfriends.org/elevations.html W&OD Trail Elevations] on [http://www.wodfriends.org The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website] ]

The trail first climbs convert|195|ft in convert|5.9|mi while traveling northwest through Arlington County. While in Arlington, the trail ascends through the fall line while climbing upstream in the valley of Four Mile Run. The trail crosses the Run seven times on bridges whose abutments were constructed before the Civil War by the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad, a predecessor of the W&OD Railroad. After leaving the fall line, the trail enters the Piedmont plateau region near the west corner of the County.

The W&OD Trail parallels the more curving and hilly Four Mile Run Trail in its route through Arlington. [ [http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/images/11x17_05.pdf "W&OD TRAIL" and "FOUR MILE RUN TRAIL" "in" "Arlington County 2005 Small Bike Map"] "in" [http://www.arlingtonva.us Arlington County Government official website] Accessed June 11, 2008.] Although they coincide in several locations, the two trails generally travel on opposite sides of the Run. There are no restrooms and few water fountains alongside the W&OD Trail in the County. Restrooms and additional water fountains are available near ball fields and picnic areas along the Four Mile Run Trail.

While in the valley of Four Mile Run, the W&OD Trail intersects the Bluemont Junction Trail, a paved rail trail that travels to Ballston on the bed of a former W&OD Railroad branch that once ran to Rosslyn and Georgetown. [ [http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/images/11x17_05.pdf "BLUEMONT JUNCTION TRAIL" and "W&OD TRAIL" "in" "Arlington County 2005 Small Bike Map"] "in" [http://www.arlingtonva.us Arlington County Government official website] Accessed June 11, 2008.] convert|0.6|mi past that intersection, the W&OD Trail meets the Custis Trail, which travels along Interstate 66 (I-66) between East Falls Church and Rosslyn and which provides access to Washington, D.C. [ [http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/images/11x17_05.pdf "CUSTIS TRAIL" and "W&OD TRAIL" "in" "Arlington County 2005 Small Bike Map"] "in" [http://www.arlingtonva.us Arlington County Government official website] Accessed June 11, 2008.] After joining at their intersection, the W&OD and Custis Trails share the same path as they travel northwest near an I-66 soundwall for most of their remaining courses in Arlington.

After leaving Arlington, the W&OD Trail continues to climb in the Piedmont while traveling northwest through Falls Church and Fairfax County. The trail reaches an elevation of convert|450|ft at its crossing of I-66 in Fairfax County. When it reaches this point, the trail has risen convert|309|ft while traveling convert|8.4|mi.

After crossing the Capital Beltway (I-495) and passing Dunn Loring, the trail begins a long descent as it travels through Vienna. After leaving Vienna, the trail continues to descend until it reaches Difficult Run (Mile 14.3), where its elevation of convert|240|ft is only about convert|100|ft higher than is the elevation at the trail's origin.

After the trail crosses Difficult Run, it ascends and descends between additional streams (including Sugarland Run, Broad Run, Beaverdam Run, Goose Creek, Sycolin Creek and Tuscarora Creek) as it travels further northwest in the Piedmont through or near Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn, and Leesburg. When crossing S. King Street in downtown Leesburg (Mile 34.4), the trail's elevation of convert|327|ft is convert|9|ft lower than the highest elevation that it reached in Arlington.

After leaving downtown Leesburg, the trail climbs convert|280|ft northwest in convert|3.8|mi to reach its highest elevation (convert|610|ft) at the summit of Clarks Gap in Catoctin Mountain. Near this point (Mile 38.2), the trail travels under an old stone arch that formerly carried VA Route 7 over the W&OD Railroad.

The trail then turns and travels west through Paeonian Springs and Hamilton. When the trail terminates in Purcellville, its elevation is convert|564|ft above sea level.

W&OD Trail features

History of the regional park

When the W&OD Railroad closed in 1968, its 100-foot wide right-of-way extended from Potomac Yard in Alexandria to the center of Purcellville. Soon after the railroad closed, the Virginia Department of Highways purchased the railroad's property from the line's owner, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, with the intent of using a portion of the right-of-way for the construction of I-66. [Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, pp. 102-103 "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 of 5, pages 85-86 of 144); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed April 22, 2008.] [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 4, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 9 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 25, 2008.] Shortly thereafter, the Virginia Electric and Power Company (part of which was incorporated into Dominion Virginia Power in 2000 [ [http://www.dom.com/about/history.jsp Dominion History] "in" [http://www.dom.com/about/index.jsp Dominion official website] Accessed April 22, 2008.] ) purchased most of the property from the highway department, as the company's electric power transmission lines were travelling within the right-of-way. [Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, page 103 "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 of 5, page 86 of 144); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed April 22, 2008.]

The first portion of the W&OD Trail opened in 1974 within the City of Falls Church under a lease agreement between the City government, the power company and NVRPA. [Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, page 108 "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 of 5, page 91 of 144); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed April 22, 2008.] As the trail proved to be popular, NVRPA purchased this and additional segments of the right-of-way from the power company between 1978 and 1982. [ [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406 "Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker] page "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Accessed April 22, 2008.] The power company retained an easement that permitted the company to maintain its lines and to extend them along the right-of-way if needed.

NVRPA was not able to acquire from the power company the portion of the right-of-way that lay within the City of Alexandria. NVRPA also could not acquire the portion of right-of-way that the highway department had retained for construction of I-66 near East Falls Church in Arlington and various portions of the right-of-way that contained existing or potential highway crossings

NVRPA extended the trail east and west of Falls Church as it acquired portions of the right-of-way. [Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, page 109 "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 of 5, page 92 of 144); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed April 22, 2008.] In 1987, the National Park Service designated the trail as a National Recreation Trail. [ [http://tutsan.forest.net/trails/FMPro?-db=nrt.fp5&-format=traildetail.htm&-lay=allfields&Trail%20name=Washington%20and%20Old%20Dominion&-op=eq&Trail%20state=VA&-recid=32913&-find= Washington and Old Dominion] "in" [http://tutsan.forest.net/trails/ National Recreation Trails Database] "in" [http://americantrails.org/default.htm American Trails official website] Accessed April 22, 2008] The trail reached Purcellville in 1988. [Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA, page 109 "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 of 5, page 92 of 144); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed April 22, 2008.] After encountering opposition from the public because of its potential environmental impacts, the final section of the trail opened in and near Arlington's Bluemont Park in 2002. [The final section of the W&OD Trail connected the portion of the trail that is south of Carlin Springs Road to the portion of the trail that is north of the trail's intersection with the Bluemont Junction Trail. The section travels through Arlington's Bluemont Park when approaching the bridge that carries Carlin Springs Road over the trail and Four Mile Run ( [http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/meetings/2000/oct7/11..htm October 4, 2000, Memorandum to The County Board of Arlington County, Virginia "from" William T. Donahue, County Manager, "Approval of License Agreement With Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) to Construct and Maintain a Section of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail Along with Related Improvements On County Owned Property (Bluemont Park) for the Public’s Use", William T. Donohue, County Manager, October 4, 2000] "in" [http://www.arlingtonva.us Arlington County Government official website] Accessed April 22, 2008.). A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new trail section took place on May 11, 2002 ( [http://www.arlingtonva.us/NewsReleases/Scripts/ViewDetail.asp?Index=790 "Washington & Old Dominion Trail Ribbon Cutting and Tree Planting, 9:30 a.m." "in" News Release, April 29, 2002: "Arlington to Celebrate Sixth Annual Neighborhood Day May 11"] "in" [http://www.arlingtonva.us Arlington County Government official website] Accessed April 22, 2008.).] [ [http://www.bluemontcivic.org/newsletters/Jul99.htm "BCA Opposes Bypass Trail Plan" "in" Bluemont Civic Association newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 1, July 1999] Accessed April 22, 2008.]

Historic structures in the regional park

The park and its immediate surroundings contain a number of historic structures, some of which date to the pre-Civil War period. [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 4, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 9 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 25, 2008.] Most of these structures are railroad remnants, including intact stations [ [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/railroad.html "Stations Still Standing" in "Remembering The W&OD Railroad" page] of [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/index.html "The W&OD Trail" website.] Accessed March 28, 2008.] at Vienna [NVRPA [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2090 "Vienna Station" marker] near Vienna Station of W&OD Railroad "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.] , Sunset Hills, Herndon [NVRPA [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=152 "Herndon Station" marker] near Herndon Station of W&OD Railroad "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.] , Hamilton [ [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/images/hamiltonsta.jpgPhotograph of Hamilton W&OD Railroad Station after closing] in [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/images Potomac River Greenways website (website under construction)] Accessed April 2, 2008.] and Purcellville [ [http://va-purcellville.civicplus.com/index.asp?NID=193 Purcellville Train Station] "in" [http://va-purcellville.civicplus.com Town of Purcellville, Virginia, official website] Accessed April 2, 2008.] [ [http://www.ppa-va.org/Proj_TrainStation.htm Preserving the Train Depot] "in" [http://www.ppa-va.org Purcellville Preservation Association offical website] Accessed April 2, 2008.] , stone arches and culverts, the piers and abutments of bridges, and a relocated passenger shelter (formerly at Clarks Gap; now at Paeonian Springs). [The NVRPA relocated the intact Clarks Gap (Clarkes Gap) passenger shelter of the W&OD Railroad to the former site of the railroad's demolished Paeonian Springs station (see [http://www.geocities.com/pem20165/wodph149PaeonianSpringsStation.html Paeonian Springs Station] on [http://www.geocities.com/pem20165/index.html Paul McCray's website: "Washington & Old Dominion Railroad,1847 to 1968: A Photographic History"] Accessed April 2, 2008.). A photograph entitled "Marker in front of the Shelter Along the Trail" pictures the shelter in a web page that describes NVRPA's [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2903 "Paeonian Springs Station" marker] ("in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] ) Retrieved March 28, 2008.]

Part of the reinforced concrete floor of a brick electrical substation that the railroad constructed in 1912 to help supply power to its new electric locomotives and trolley cars is visible in Arlington County's Bluemont Junction Railroad Display south of Wilson Boulevard. [Harwood, H.H., Jr. (2000), Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847-1968, 3rd edition, pub. by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax Station, VA (description and photograph of electrical substation at Bluemont Junction on pp. 48 and 115) "in" Appendix K of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (description and photograph of electrical substation at Bluemont Junction in Part 5 of 5, pp. 31 and 97 of 144); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed April 22, 2008] ["Power House" in display sign illustrating Bluemont Junction between W&OD Trail and substation floor] The floor is located in the space between a soccer field and a Southern Railway caboose. [Coordinates of electrical substation floor in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display: coord|38.872958|-77.132521|type:landmark|name=Electrical substation floor in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display]

A partially intact elevated railroad siding remains visible south of the W&OD Trail on private property west of the trail's crossing of Lee Highway (U.S. Route 29) in Arlington. The siding was once adjacent to the west side of the railroad's Falls Church (East Falls Church) station, which was dismantled after the railroad closed.

A white metallic marker post lettered in black with the words "Station 1 Mile" stands on the north side of the trail west of Little Falls Road near the boundary between Arlington and Falls Church. This post, which once stood next to the W&OD Railroad's tracks, is one mile east of the site of the railroad's demolished West Falls Church Station. [ [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2901 "West Falls Church Station"] marker at former site of West Falls Church station of W&OD Railroad "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.] The station was located near the east side of the railroad's crossing of W. Broad Street (VA Route 7) in Falls Church.

Near the east end of Vienna, the poured concrete abutment of a bridge that carried an interurban trolley line, the Washington-Virginia Railway, over the W&OD Railroad remains on the north side of the trail. [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 5, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 11 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 25, 2008] An inscription showing the month and year of the abutment's construction (July 1904) is visible on the structure's east side.

The trail crosses Goose Creek in Loudoun County on a span that NVRPA built on top of the piers and abutments of the highest and longest (convert|268|ft) bridge that the railroad constructed within the present boundaries of the regional park. [Williams, A.W. (1970), The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, Meridian Sun Press, Alexandria, VA (description and 1960 photograph of Goose Creek bridge in Appendix II, Bridges and Structures)] [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 5, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 11 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 25, 2008.] Visitors can view these remnants and the intact span, pier and abutments of the railroad's deck girder bridge over Sycolin Creek from unpaved paths that travel between the streams in NVRPA's Two Creeks Trail Area on the north side of the trail. [ [http://www.pecva.org/anx/index.cfm/1,325,792,-1,html Two Creeks Trail Area page] on [http://www.pecva.org Piedmont Environmental Council official website] . Accessed March 17, 2008.] [Coordinates of path to view of piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Goose Creek: coord|39.070379|-77.519703|type:landmark|name=Trail to view of piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Goose Creek; Coordinates of path to view of span, piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Sycolin Creek: coord|39.071604|-77.521259|type:landmark|name=Trail to view of span, piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Sycolin Creek] [Williams, A.W. (1970), The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, Meridian Sun Press, Alexandria, VA (description and 1972 photograph of Sycolin Creek bridge in Appendix II, Bridges and Structures)] .

The Sycolin Creek bridge bears the only remaining span that once carried trains of the W&OD Railroad. As the trail travels on the concrete deck of the bridge, visitors can only see the span and the structures below if they leave the trail.

The piers and abutments of the railroad's bridge over Tuscarora Creek are visible south of the trail near the east end of Leesburg. The bridge was the second longest (convert|149|ft) that the railroad built within the present boundaries of the regional park. [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 5, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 11 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 25, 2008.] The piers and abutments are the only ones along the trail's route that do not presently support a bridge.

Remnants of the facilities of a 19th century lime company are visible in Leesburg on the northeast side of the trail, southeast of Harrison Street SE. Limestone (calcium carbonate) from a company quarry was mixed with coal and burned in a nearby kiln that was adjacent to the railroad's tracks. Quicklime (calcium oxide) was brought out of the kiln through two arched openings that visitors can see from the trail. The company supplied farmers with fertilizer (agricultural lime) and provided builders with plaster for walls and stone for roads. [NVRPA [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2108 "The Leesburg Lime Company" marker] at site of lime kiln "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved April 3, 2008.] arch once carried the original VA Route 7 over the railroad's tracks at the railroad's highest point. [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, Section 7, Page 5, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 11 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 24, 2008.] [NVRPA [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2031 "Clarkes Gap" marker] at former site of Clarkes Gap (Clarks Gap) station of W&OD Railroad "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved March 28, 2008.] The arch now carries Dry Mill Road over the trail.

A registration form prepared to support the nomination of the park for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places contains an in-depth description of the park's historical resources and of the railroad's history, as well as maps that show the locations of the park's major historical features. [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, pages 1-46 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 24, 2008] The form states that the park is eligible for listing on the Register because its property "is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history." [Neville, Ashley M., National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276), Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 2000, page 3, "in" Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4 of 5, page 3 of 64); obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 24, 2008]

Displays and museums along the W&OD Trail

The Norfolk Southern Railway and its predecessors have donated three cabooses for display along the W&OD Trail. [ [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/railroad.html "A Quartet of Cabooses" in "Remembering The W&OD Railroad" page] of [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/index.html "The W&OD Trail" website.] Accessed March 28, 2008.] While none of these resemble the cabooses that once travelled along the route of the W&OD Railroad, two of the three cars house exhibits of materials relating to the W&OD Railroad and Trail.

A Southern Railway bay window caboose within the Bluemont Junction Railroad Display in Arlington exhibits photographs, maps and other information related to the County's railroads and trolleys. [ [http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/facilities/ParksRecreationScriptsFacilitiesCaboose.aspx Bluemont Junction Caboose] in [http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/ParksRecreation/ParksRecreationMain.aspx Arlington County, Virginia, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources official website] Accessed March 28, 2008.] [ [http://www.bscl.org/images/hrbcaboose.jpgPhotograph of Southern Railway caboose in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display] in [http://www.bscl.org/histride.htm Swart, R. "Arlington History Ride: A Self-Guided Tour of Arlington, Virginia, USA, for Bikers and Hikers" (2007 version)] on [http://www.bscl.org Barcroft School and Civic League, Inc. official website] Accessed April 2, 2008.] Staffed by a County park ranger, the caboose is open to the public on weekend afternoons from May through October. [Signs on wall and window of caboose in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display, May 2008] The display also contains outdoor signage and photographs that describe and illustrate the history of the W&OD Railroad and of its junction that once operated at the site of the exhibit.

A cupola caboose near the Trail in Vienna Centennial Park contains a museum that houses materials that the W&OD Railroad once used. [ [http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=2089 Vienna Centennial Park marker] page with photographs of caboose "in" [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved September 17, 2008.] Staffed by members of the Vienna Optimist Club and bearing on its sides the name "WASHINGTON & OLD DOMINION", the caboose is open to the public during the afternoons on selected weekends and holidays. [ [http://www.viennaoptimist.org/CabooseBooklet6.pdf W&OD Trail Caboose Museum booklet, April 4, 2004, with photograph of caboose] on [http://www.viennaoptimist.org Optimist Club of Vienna, Virginia official website] . Accessed March 28, 2008]

The Freeman Store in Vienna houses a museum of the town's history. [ [http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=1643 Freeman Store and Museum marker] page "in" [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=3 Virginia Civil War Trails Markers series] "in" [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Retrieved September 17, 2008.] The museum contains maps, books and other materials that relate to the W&OD Railroad. Operated by Historic Vienna, Inc., the museum is open to the public during the afternoons of each week from Wednesdays through Sundays. [ [http://www.historicviennainc.org Official website of Historic Vienna, Inc.] Accessed March 17, 2008.]

The W&OD Railroad station in Vienna houses a museum and a model railroad layout. Operated by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, Inc., the museum displays materials that the W&OD Railroad once used and a model of the station as it appeared when steam locomotives stopped at the station. The model railroad and museum is open to the public during the afternoon of one Saturday of each month except June and August. [ [http://www.nvmr.org/portal Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, Inc. home page] Accessed March 28, 2008.]

An overlook at the Luck Stone Quarry east of Goose Creek displays a large trap rock quarry. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/06/11/VI2008061102438.html Paul McCray (former Manager, W&OD Regional Park) discussing Luck Stone Quarry overlook in Uenuma, F, "Two Decades Along the W&OD Trail", Washington Post video] "in" [http://www.washingtonpost Washington Post official site.] Accessed June 20,2008.] [ [http://www.luckstone.com/crushed/locations/location.php?plantid=31 Leesburg Plant page] on [http://www.luckstone.com Luck Stone Construction Aggregates official website] Accessed March 17, 2008.] This mineral provides bulk for concrete and macadam.

The W&OD Railroad station in Herndon houses a museum and a visitor center that the Herndon Historical Society, Inc., operates. The museum displays photographs and newspaper articles relating to the history of the Town of Herndon and the W&OD Railroad. The museum also contains materials that the railroad once used. The museum addditionally contains information about the history of a nearby Norfolk Southern Railway cupola caboose whose sides bore the name and logo of the W&OD Railroad and the number 504 in 2008. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/21/AR2008042101280.html Photograph of Herndon Caboose, by Richard A. Lipsky, Washington Post] , Slide number 3 in Slideshow, "in" Fisher, M, "Slight Gap Where the Sidewalk Ends", [http://www.washingtonpost.com Washington Post] , Prince George's Extra section, Thursday, April 24, 2008, Page PG27. Accessed April 29, 2008.] The station is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. [ [http://www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org Official website of Herndon Historical Society, Inc.] Accessed September 18, 2008.]

Natural resources of the regional park

Most of the landscaping in the park is left in a natural state to preserve green space and to provide wildlife habitat. [Direct Testimony of Paul E. McCray, page 6, "in" NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005, Part 1 of 5, page 37 of 59; obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 21, 2008] Some natural areas within the park are contiguous to larger natural areas in adjacent public parks, including those in and around the Sparrow Pond wetland, [ [http://www.co.arlington.va.us/NewsReleases/Scripts/ViewDetail.asp?Index=867 "DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR SPARROW POND WETLAND SET FOR AUG. 24" in August 23, 2002, "News" page] on [http://www.co.arlington.va.us Arlington County, Virginia, official website] . Accessed March 17, 2008.] [ [http://buckinghamheraldtrib.blogspot.com/2007/04/sparrow-pond-deluxe.html Thurston, Steve, "Sparrow Pond Deluxe: Sparrow Pond Dredging and the Unfortunate Beavers"] in [http://buckinghamheraldtrib.blogspot.com/ The Buckingham Herald Tribblog] April 4, 2007. Accessed May 21, 2008.] Brandymore Castle [ [http://www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org/learn/sites_properties/neighborhood.html "Brandymore Castle" on "Neighborhoods, boundary stones, and roadways" page] of [http://www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org Arlington Historical Society official website] ] and Four Mile Run [Coordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and Four Mile Run in Glencarlyn Park in Arlington County: coord|38.861582|-77.118831|type:landmark|name=Natural area in Glencarlyn Park] in Arlington, Piney Branch and Difficult Run in Fairfax County, [Coordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and Piney Branch in Clarks Crossing Park in Fairfax County: coord|38.923793|-77.288926|type:landmark|name=Natural area in Clarks Crossing Park] and the confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek in Loudoun County. [Coordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and the confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek in Two Creeks Trail Area in Loudoun County: coord|39.070737|-77.518898|type:landmark|name=Natural area near confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek]

Park interpreters, local teachers, environmental groups and amateur naturalists use the park as a resouce for plant and animal study. These groups have identified approximately 450 species of wildflowers and more than 100 species of birds in the park. Wildlife in the park includes mammals such as foxes, river otters and beavers, and reptiles such as turtles and snakes. A variety of hawks and owls and other resident, non-resident and migratory birds, both upland and aquatic, find habitat in the park. [Direct Testimony of Paul E. McCray, page 6, "in" NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005, Part 1 of 5, page 37 of 59; obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 21, 2008]

Transmission lines in the regional park

The W&OD Trail lies beneath a set of electric power transmission lines between its trailhead and Dominion Virginia Power's Pleasant View Substation in Loudoun County southeast of Leesburg. The power company removes trees along this section of the trail to protect its lines, at times eliciting protests from members of the public and elected officials in the impacted jurisdictions. [ [http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/providence/W_OD_bm.htm Joint Board Matter, Chairman Connolly, Supervisors Smyth and Hudgins, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, pertaining to clearance of vegetation near W&OD Trail, July 26, 2004] on [http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov Fairfax County Government official website] Accessed March 20, 2007.] Trees shade much of the remainder of the trail.

In 2004, Dominion Virginia Power announced plans to extend its transmission lines in Loudoun County above ground from the Pleasant View Substation northwestward along the route of the W&OD Trail. [ [http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/pres_100504/sld001.htm "Western Loudoun 230 kV Transmission Line Update, October 5, 2004" slideshow] on [http://www.dom.com Dominion Virginia Power official website] Accessed March 20, 2008.] In response, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted on November 15, 2005, a resolution of continued opposition to the installation of the proposed lines. The resolution also called for continued support of underground construction as the preferred method of installation. [ [http://inter4.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1622 "Powerline Proposals Affecting Loudoun"] on [http://inter4.loudoun.gov Loudoun County government official website] Accessed March 20, 2008.]

Citing the impending loss of trees along its trail, the NVRPA asked the public on December 13, 2005, to oppose the transmission line project in hearings that the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) was planning to conduct on the proposed project. [ [http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-2971.html December 13, 2005, NVRPA open letter asking public to oppose transmission line project on W&OD Trail in Loudoun County] on [http://www.more-mtb.org MORE - Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts official website] Accessed March 20, 2008] During 2005, 2006 and 2007, the NVRPA submitted testimony and briefs to the SCC that opposed the construction of aboveground transmission lines along the route of the trail. [NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005; NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - POST HEARING BRIEF, September 18, 2006; NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - DIRECT TESTIMONY ON REMAND OF KATHERINE H. RUDACILLE, CHARLES SIMMONS, DONALD E. ZIMAR, JASON H. GART, AND STEVEN A. STUDABAKER, June 15, 2007, obtained in [http://docket.scc.virginia.gov/vaprod/main.asp Case Docket Search] for documents in Case No. PUE-2005-00018 on [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission] . Accessed March 21, 2008]

The SCC nevertheless approved on February 15, 2008, a transmission line route that would travel above ground for convert|1.8|mi along a wooded portion of the W&OD Trail between Leesburg and Clarks Gap. [ [http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/index.jsp Western Loudoun County Powerline Project: Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line home page] , [http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/pdf/approved_route.pdf Map of approved transmission line route] , [http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/sccapp.jsp SCC Approval: Pleasant View-Hamilton Project; Case No. PUE-2005-00018] , and [http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/pdf/finalorder.pdf SCC Final Order: Case No. PUE-2005-00018] on [http://www.dom.com Dominion Virginia Power official website] Accessed March 21, 2008.] [Section of W&OD Railroad Regional Park approved for transmission line route: From W&OD Trail Mile 36.2 at coordinates coord|39.114029|-77.597283|type:landmark|name=W&OD Transmission line route at Trail Mile 36.2 to Trail Mile 38.0 at coordinates coord|39.137417|-77.609246|type:landmark|name=Transmission line route at Trail Mile 38.0. Accessed March 21, 2008.] Less than three weeks later, on March 4 and March 5, 2008, the Senate and the House of Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed emergency legislation that ordered the SCC to approve the underground construction of the line along that section of the trail as part of a state-wide pilot program for the development of such types of transmission lines. Sponsored by Delegate Joe T. May (Republican - Loudoun), [ [http://www.joetmay.com/ Official website of Delegate Joe T. May] and [http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/a7b082ef6ed01eac85256c0d00515644/c427a712743a64658525738a0052b633?OpenDocument Virginia House of Delegates home page of Delegate Joe T. May] Accessed July 1, 2008.] the legislation exempted the project from any requirements for further SCC analyses relating to the impacts of the route, including environmental impacts and impacts upon historical resources. [ [http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?081+ful+HB1319ER Text of H 1319 (2008 Virginia Acts of Assembly -- Chapter 799): "An Act to establish a pilot program to place certain transmission lines underground."] "in" [http://legis.state.va.us Virginia General Assembly official web site] Accessed April 17, 2008. ] The legislation went into effect when Virginia Governor Tim Kaine approved it on April 2, 2008. [ [http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb1319&Submit2=Go Legislative history of HB 1319: "Underground transmission lines; pilot program established"] "in" [http://legis.state.va.us Virginia General Assembly official web site] Accessed April 17, 2008.] The NVRPA expects the project to result in a significant loss of trees, as the power company plans to dig trenches on each side of the paved trail while installing duct banks to house its conduits. [ [http://www.nvrpa.org/documents/file/wodtrailprojectupdate.pdf W&OD Trail Project Update: Underground Electric Transmission Lines: June 3, 2008] "in" [http://www.nvrpa.org NVRPA official website] Accessed September 9, 2008.]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/wod/index.php Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park] on [http://www.nvrpa.org Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority official website]
* [http://www.wodfriends.org/ The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/ Unofficial website of Washington & Old Dominion Trail]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/biketrails.html Intersecting Bike Trails] on [http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/ Unofficial website of Washington & Old Dominion Trail]
* [http://www.rundc.com/Trails/VA/WOD.htm Washington & Old Dominion Trail] on [http://www.rundc.com Running Around Town: Washington, D.C., website] Chart showing mileages along W&OD Trail
* [http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D03465551D73033D Video of entire W&OD Trail] labeled with distances, cross streets, and other items
* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/06/11/VI2008061102438.html Paul McCray (former Manager, W&OD Regional Park) discussing history of W&OD Trail in Uenuma, F, "Two Decades Along the W&OD Trail", Washington Post video] "in" [http://www.washingtonpost Washington Post official site.] Accessed June 20,2008.
* [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website] Photographs and descriptions of NVRPA markers and other markers along and near the W&OD Trail.
* [http://tutsan.forest.net/trails/FMPro?-db=nrt.fp5&-format=traildetail.htm&-lay=allfields&Trail%20name=Washington%20and%20Old%20Dominion&-op=eq&Trail%20state=VA&-recid=32913&-find= Washington and Old Dominion Trail] "in" [http://tutsan.forest.net/trails/ National Recreation Trails Database] "in" [http://americantrails.org/default.htm American Trails official website]
*Maps:
** [http://www.hmdb.org/PhotoFullSize.asp?PhotoID=6780 Map of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail] Map in NVRPA marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington. Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, Alexandria, Virginia, September 8, 2007. "In" [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406 "Washington and Old Dominion Trail"] in [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] on [http://www.hmdb.org HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database official website.] Accessed April 2, 2008.
** [http://www.wodfriends.org/map1.html Map of the W&OD] on [http://www.wodfriends.org/ The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website] Interactive map of entire W&OD Trail and trail segments showing mileages and features along trail
** [http://www.wodfriends.org/elevations.html W&OD Trail Elevations] on [http://www.wodfriends.org The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website] Map and chart of elevations along W&OD Trail
** [http://www.rundc.com/Trails/VA/WODMap.htm Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD)] on [http://www.rundc.com Running Around Town: Washington, D.C., website] Topographic map showing entire W&OD Trail
** [http://bikewashington.org/trails/wad/wad.htm Washington & Old Dominion Trail] on [http://bikewashington.org BikeWashington.org website] Maps and descriptions of entire W&OD Trail and trail segments, showing connecting trails