Real 3-rail track
Spotted some this morning on the way in to work via VRE
some bonus pictures taken this morning at and near Manassas, Va.
Well, if the track gets a rebuild with new rails, they always put the new trackparts between the old rails. it also looks like a 3rd rail.
What really suprises me on the last picture is that it really looks like a picture of lionelville or something. The same streetfurniture, laterns, houses etc…
daan,
Hard to see from those pictures but appeared to be oil or coal spil. But at train speed from my vantage, looked to be Gargraves.
Downtown Manassas has some interesting structures dating to the 19th century. It was an important junction during the Civil War, and in fact still is.
Not as picturesque (Lionelesque) perhaps as most of Holland, but nonetheless is our USA real, live version of Plasticville.
I’ve seen ‘3-rail’ years ago when I was but a lad at the Cog Railway on Mt. Washington NH. (Not quite the same thing) but the ride was neat. 
David, does anyone on VRE ever comment on your picture taking? I used to shoot out the window at the RoW but Metra’s a bit paranoid.
Really doing some good work with that camera. I am going to have to take lessons from you and Tom.
Thanks Chief, but I’ve gotten the hang of using it mostly from Tom.
Doug,
Not a problem. I don’t look quite as suspicious as you (just pulling your leg :-)).
Truly tho, in the photo biz, to get the great shots, you need to follow this line of reasoning:
“It’s always preferrable to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.”
There have been instances of a prototype third rail in the middle; but the idea never seemed to catch on. The tiny pantographs on early Lionel boxcabs are prototypical and were meant to run on an overhead third rail–not a wire–in the tunnels around Manhatten. The London Underground (subway) uses four rails, two to run on and one in the middle and one at the side for power.
Dave. Looks like you took a photo of real life Super “O” In Manassas. Maybe you found the prototype of Super “O” That Lionel used.[;)][:)]