The Georgetown Branch: Some photos along the Branch, 1983-84. 03/08/2004, 04/19/2004 - One of the things that I'd hoped would come out of having a website about this neat little railroad is that folks would contact me and share their personal experiences about the Georgetown Branch. Matthew G. Vurek is one such person, who was kind and generous enough to dig up some old photos he had shot, scan and send them to me so that I might put them on my site. The phots were shot in 1983-1984 and show some things I had never seen before. Like a hi-rail on the branch, the "other" side of the B&O Freight Station in Bethesda and what downtown Bethesda looked like back in the early 1980's. Thank you Matthew for a glimpse into the past!
	mvurek-1-gt_jct.jpg B&O EMD GP38, Number 3846 makes its way around the curve coming down off the Metropolitan Branch, past the E.C. Keys warehouse (above the retaining wall to the left). In a moment the "Met Local" will cross Stewart Ave. on its way down to Chevy Chase. Photo by Matthew G. Vurek, July 1983.
	mvurek-2-conn_av.jpg The Met Local crossing Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase. (The tracks are still embedded in the pavement in 03/2004). Notice the rudimentary crossing signal arrangement; anyone who is familiar with this area today knows that that arrangement just wouldn't stand nowadays! Photo by Matthew G. Vurek, July 1983.
	mvurek-3-little_falls.jpg Here 3846 makes its way across Little Falls Parkway having just come from Bethesda & across Bradley Blvd. Next crossing is River Road, where it will enter the woods, proceed thru the Dalecarlia Tunnel, down the Palisaides, along the C&O Canal and on into Georgetown. Most likely it's dropping off a load of at the Coal & Ash House at the end of the line. Are those Chessie hoppers? Photo by Matthew G. Vurek, July 1983.
	mvurek-4-beth_frt.jpg The Bethesda freight house. This view is one that I'd never seen before, and it's definitely the most revealing. The depot was up for lease at this point in time (the sign is blocked by the telephone pole); a flower shop was the previous tenant. This depot was unusual in that it never had actual rail service to it. The tracks were located behind, and several feet away from the depot itself. As to the eventual destruction of the depot, Matthew writes: "The brick freight station was VAPORIZED when Woodmont Avenue was extended through to Bethesda Avenue in the late 1980's...the station was RIGHT IN THE WAY." Photo by Matthew G. Vurek, May 16, 1984.
	mvurek-5-cs_hi-rail.jpg Now here's a real gem! There is so much going on in this photo. First of all, the Chessie Hi-Rail car! What a rarity! The number appears to be 63208 and it's a Ford F250 or F350. In the background first you see the passing siding. Then you'll see the large parking lot which is now the Ourisman Honda dealership. Further back you'll see some shops - one of them is Whatsa Bagel which is still in business in the same location today! Those buildings have been transformed, but some of the layout remains. Photo by Matthew G. Vurek, December 26, 1984.
	mvurek-6-maloney_concrete.jpg Maloney Concrete in Bethesda. Probably the most exciting photo of the bunch to me! Look at the sign on the Maloney Concrete plant! Photo by Matthew G. Vurek.
	mvurek-7-bethesda_yard-eas.jpg Bethesda Yard, facing to the East. Not much left, the branch tracks are in the grass between the gravel & tarmac parking lots. This is now a car dealership. Here is a link to a modern map of the area. Photo by Matthew G. Vurek.
	mvurek-8-bradley_blvd_overp.jpg Three Bridges across Bradley Blvd. (the third span is just off to the right). Installed in 1959 they replaced a smaller deck bridge. During construction of this bridge a shoofly track was constructed with a wooden trestle across the street. The track swung to the West (the other side) of the bridges. They removed the old bridge, demolished the piers, poured new ones and installed the bridge. Note the logo on the bridge pier. Bethesda is to the right, view is West. Photo by Matthew G. Vurek.
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