Railfanning Washington, D.C. Union Station

[ke8bp]

Nice video, thanks. I watched this prior to taking the Capital Limited two years after your filmed it. You had a great spot to film from.  It sure looks different looking up at that building. I wish you were able to film from there now. Thanks again for sharing.

[gibb1991]

Remember, if you're on public property, such as a sidewalk on an overpass or adjacent to the tracks, the police can't do anything. If I cop still challenges you, do not give them your name or ID or let them confescate your camera. If the officer takes you in, it's illegal and the police department can be challenged and/or sued.

[penntrains]

i was just there for national train day. i was in the parking lot where this building is. i was stopped by 2 dc metro cops. they never heard of national train day. they searched me my car took my id. then they called amtrak police. 4 cars came with lights and sirens. the amtrak police said since i was a railfan there was no problem. i just couldnt be there. never again.

[gibb1991]

@penntrains That's crap. You weren't causing any harm nor were you violating any laws. I would challenge.

[yarmo28]

Are there any plans to continue modernizing, i. e. electrifying the rails to the south and west of DC?

[gibb1991]

@yarmo28 Yes. But there is no detailed plan yet. Sometime in the future there is a plan to extend electrification and the Acela service to Charlotte, NC.

[yarmo28]

@gibb1991 That will be super! I'd really like to try it out from Boston to Charlotte. What a trip that would be.

[NorthFolkSouthern960]

Union Station Is FULL Of AmTrak Trains.You Usually See The In The Morning Too.

[yarmo28]

Great video. I recognize the trains that come up here to New England; they're all electric. What are the diesel locomotives used for?

[msmith624]

Diesels are used for trains heading south or west of D.C.

[travelsonic]

"I have a connection to someone there and got special permission."

From the building, I assume? Excellent vantage point.

[TommyTrain99]

if you look closely you see a metro arriving

[worthyman54]

why do police get upset when you use the camera up there?

[sportsmovieman]

Great job! I normally go to the top of the parking garage and watch as I wait for my train to arrive! (But I know not to use camera as I know how crazy DC police can get with railfans).

[Amtrak839]

@sportsmovieman Yeah that's a nice view from up there. I usually go up for a few minutes every time I'm at WUS.

[penguinsix]

Top of the Union Station parking garage is great. Recommend both of the ELEVATORS down (note: one for garage - all levels and then a different one for garage - station) as there is a hallway (with windows) that goes over some of the tracks and allows a view of any private rail cars that might be in the station.

[strench707]

I railfan from the REA building all the time! Great angle man!

[Amtrak839]

@strench707 Yeah, I love the REA Building. Group in the office I shot this from moved though, so I probably won't be filming there anymore, I'm sorry to say.

[strench707]

@Amtrak839 Aw thats too bad, still the lower level is pretty cool!

[andrewscott1990]

Would the H street bridge be a good place to look into Union Station?

[Amtrak839]

@andrewscott1990 Theres a fence and some sort of wall with a mural on it, so no. If you just want to look, there is a nice view from the parking garage. I wouldn't try railfanning there though, that'd look pretty suspicious.

[Yzerfan55]

The same for Me me and my brothe were railfanning on top of the parking garage their. So after about five minutes a police officer came up to us and asked " did you park your car here " of course I didn't, i don't have a cxar, Im not even old enough to drive. So he kicked us off, by the way if you have a camera with good zoom that is a really good place to rail fan

[Trainlover4ever2006]

It's getting impossable to railfan anywhere. I tried to film the Ethan Allen Express at a railway crossing in Schenectady and the Schenectady City police almost stopped me from get the train. He asked me who I was and I told him who i was. But thats none the cop's bussiness who I am. I still managed to get the Ethan Allen on video. And Amtrak can Shove there policy up there behind.

[xtremepadrefan]

exactly I went to DC last summer DC absolutely Sux everywhere for railfanning!

[nyynym25]

The Best spot that i've found to railfan at Union where you won't get chased away is at the top of the parking garage of the station.

[AmtrakBoys]

I Shot three videos from the top of that parking strcture and guess what? "Amtrak Police" chased me away!

[Amtrak839]

Yeah, this is private property so they can't stop me here. Most other places in the immediate area of WUS, they'll getcha. Funny thing is, Amtrak Police is actually the next door down the hall from the office I was shooting from. Amtrak Police isn't very popular, I know a couple guys who work for Amtrak and they think the guys at Amtrak Police are complete idiots.

[AmtrakBoys]

Whats the big deal your just gonna video tape trains?

[nyynym25]

Was it after they arrested that suspected terrorist in Colorado? If so, the feds warned amtrak of a potential terror threat. If not... I don't know why they went up in that area.

[Amtrak839]

Amtrak Police have always been defensive of the WUS area. I can the the Capitol Building from where I shot this. So it's understandable.

[Yzerfan55]

I got chased away by amtrak police their too, but you are right that is a good place to railfan

[InappropriateGesture]

what is railfanning?

you must be a terrorist.

[xtremepadrefan]

Are u freaking serious?

[Amtrak839]

@xtremepadrefan Yes, yes I am.

[eeeman07]

@xtremepadrefan that inappropriate gesture guy doesn't know anything, trust me i know him.

[AmtrakBoys]

Nice shots 5/5!

[hokierailfan]

where did you film it?

[Amtrak839]

in your basement

[RFandPRailfan]

Nice video!!!

[AmtrakVA54]

Sweet video! The quality was pretty good besides it being a little shaky.

[eeeman07]

Which train 30 was deadheaded? AKA when they were turning it.

[eeeman07]

u really need a new camera.

[Amtrak839]

Indeed.

[AmtrakSmurf]

Amtrak #2256 does not run on a weekday.

[Amtrak839]

I meant to type 2266. Thanks for the correction.

[AmtrakSmurf]

No, there's no 2266 either. I think that's 2166.

[Amtrak839]

Ok, that just proves that I am completely incapable of reading a timetable. At 1 am at least. Again, thanks for the correction.

[msmith624]

2166 is the 1 PM Acela out of WAS.

[msmith624]

Acela 22's run on weekends, Acela 21's are weekday Acelas.