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Along the Union Street Rail Spur

Join Dick Chait as he discusses the historic importance of the Union Street Rail Spur to the economy of Alexandria.

The rail line that is part of Old Town North is seen daily by many people. The line runs from the end of Union Street (Union & Pendleton Streets) to the Slaters Lane area west of the  George Washington Parkway, a distance of less than 2 miles. Here, the tracks switch onto the CSX mainline, formerly the RF&P mainline.  Despite the spur’s rather short length, the line contributed significantly to the economy of Alexandria and the surrounding area. 

During the mid-1900s, the line brought raw materials to both the Washington Post warehouse (the recently demolished Robinson Terminal North) at West’s Point as well as to the now decommissioned GenOn power plant along Bashford Lane.

Today, the history line can be appreciated as it has become part of the scenery in the popular Oronoco Bay Park as well at the Wythe Street Plaza.