The Georgetown Branch: Gallery: 01_18_03-gb_tour Barry Rubin hosted the "First Annual Georgetown Branch Tour" at his home. We met and discussed the Branch in detail, reviewing track charts, maps, photographs and drawings. Layout plans were shared, as many a story and insight into this neat line. Around 10am we headed out to where the Branch crossed River Road in Bethesda. We debarked and walked Westward down the line for a few hundred yards or so and then back the other direction across River Road. Highlights were trackage still in place to the Betco Block factory (which is still producing masonry block), spur trackage across ROW from Betco spur, rails embedded in Landy Ln., old Briggs Filtration buildings, old Marriott/Hot Shoppes buildings, and track in the ground leading to old Auto Body Shop. I had to depart early so I missed all that took place after 11am or so. A special thanks to Duane Carrel for sharing all the fantastic stories, photos and maps, and also to Barry Rubin for warmly opening up his house and sharing many experiences and resources with us enthusiasts. I hope we have many more trips to discover more of the Branch! click on a photos name to open a larger image Page 1 | Page 2
	01_18_03-gb_tour-01.jpg Standing on the ROW facing NE, just South of River Rd. At this point there was a spur that branched off to the right and served Washington Petroleum Products, Inc. This facility was a coal & fuel oil dealer. Apparently there was also a trestle here as well for the cars to unload from.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-02.jpg Standing in the same position as the previous photo, now looking North along the ROW. The Capital Crescent Trail's River Road Bridge now occupies the ROW across River Rd.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-03.jpg Now a few paces further South, looking NNE. The Washington Petroleum Products facilities were just off to the right.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-04.jpg Sorry, I just couldn't resist. Who else would love to have a bonafide Leisure Van?
	01_18_03-gb_tour-05.jpg Concrete bridge across Willett Branch. Have to check my track chart to get a bridge number. Facing East.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-06.jpg If you look hard enough, you find the traces of the branch off the beaten path. Here a tie plate sinks further into the mud.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-07.jpg Facing South. At this point there was a short siding that branched to the West side of the ROW. Duane recalled seeing a caboose on this track many years ago when he walked the line. Look closely and you can see a few feet of rail peeking out from the dirt right in the center of the photo above that small pile of salt.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-08.jpg Standing in the same position as the previous photo, now looking North along the ROW.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-09.jpg Looking South towards the Betco Block Co., which is still in business producing concrete block. Rails are still in place on this siding, as you can see; one of the few places on the line where this is the case. Recently Betco has cut the end of the siding back for storage purposes.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-10.jpg Further into the siding, the rails are more visible..
	01_18_03-gb_tour-11.jpg The main building of the Betco Block factory.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-12.jpg Standing in the same spot, now facing NE back towards the ROW.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-13.jpg We found this curiosity leaning up against a sapling there on the branch. Its a wooden pole, about 6.5' tall with two metal plates bolted to the end. It appears to be some sort of brace (possibly from a line pole?), but we couln't figure it out. Any ideas? Let me know - cpl_clegg@yahoo.com UPDATE 03/08/2004: While sitting in a traffic light at Edmonston Rd. & Rt. 355 in Rockville, MD, I noticed one of these on a telephone pole. It was fastened to a bracket at the top of the pole on one end, and the other end fastened to a cable keeping tension on the pole, which was then anchored into the ground. I guess that it's used as a sort of insulator? Mystery solved.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-14.jpg Back on the ROW, now facing SE looking towards the Betco Block plant and the siding.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-15.jpg Here are 6 of the 7 who made the trek! Betco Block plant is in the background.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-16.jpg A more formal portrait of the group. From left to right: Kelly Regan, C.E. Close, Duane Carrell, Barry Rubin, Daniel Rubin and Joe Nevin. (I apologize if I misspelled any of the names!)
	01_18_03-gb_tour-17.jpg Now at the same spot as the first couple shots, with a view Eastward of the area where Washington Petroleum Products, Inc. was.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-18.jpg Now right at River Rd., facing North. The ROW passed right at my feet, crossing directly below what is now a pedestrian bridge. In the distance, to the left, is the old Auto Body Works, as denoted on old Sanborn Maps.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-19.jpg Another view, just a little bit more to the Northwest.
	01_18_03-gb_tour-20.jpg Another view a bit towards the Northeast. Landy lane is to the Right of the white sign and the large facility in the background is the old Marriott/Hot Shoppes facility.
Continue to next page: Page 1 | Page 2 home | news | history | layout | equipment | gallery | links | contact
email: cpl_clegg@yahoo.com