Quest for 243

A global nomad's pursuit to see all 195 countries, 39 territories, & 9 de-facto nations

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Transit Enthusiast Sets New 98-Station
Metrorail Speed Record of 8:20

A 46-year-old transportation fanatic arrived into Ashburn Station at 3:28 this afternoon, completing all 98 Metrorail stations in 8 Hours 20 Minutes.

Lucas Wall of Capitol Hill set off from Huntington Station at 7:08 a.m. with a goal of crossing the finish line in less than 8.5 hours. Wall believes he’s the first person to accomplish seeing all 98 Metro stations consecutively since Potomac Yard Station opened in May. His 8:20 mark establishes the time to beat for future Metro racers.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 15: Walking 7:52 from United
Baggage Claim to IAD Station

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 15: After a long, exciting day of opening ceremonies and train rides, I time the walk from United Airlines Baggage Carousel 2 to the new IAD Metro station platform: 7 Minutes 52 Seconds.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 14: Walk from New IAD Metro
Station to United Check-In Area (8:42)

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 14: After riding the expanded Silver Line almost an hour and a half from Largo, Maryland, to the new IAD station, I timed the walk from the platform to the United Airlines check-in Area at 8 Minutes 42 Seconds.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening Video 13: Full Trip 2nd Silver Train Ashburn-Largo (1:35)

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 13: The second regular-service eastbound Metro Silver Line train departed Ashburn Station at 2:09 p.m. carrying transit fans and officials along the newly opened Phase 2 track to Wiehle/Reston East Station. In this segment, the train continues onward through Fairfax and Arlington counties, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and to Largo, Maryland – a total trip of 1 Hour 35 Minutes.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 12: 2nd Train Departs Ashburn
Carrying Transit Fans & Officials to Reston

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 12: The second regular-service eastbound Metro Silver Line train departs Ashburn Station at 2:09 p.m. carrying transit fans and officials along the newly opened Phase 2 track to Wiehle/Reston East Station (then onward through Washington to Largo, Maryland).


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 11: Silver Ticket Train Arrives
Ashburn Station & Passengers Celebrate

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 11: The Washington Metro Silver Ticket train arrives at the new Ashburn Station, western terminus of the Silver Line. The transit authority invited 50 transit fans and their guests who shared their favorite Metro memory to a special ceremony and train ride right before the Silver Line extension opened to the public.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 10: Silver Ticket Train
Passes Through Dulles Airport

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 10: The Washington Metro Silver Ticket train passes through the new Washington Dulles International Airport Station on its way from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station. The transit authority invited 50 transit fans and their guests who shared their favorite Metro memory to a special ceremony and train ride right before the Silver Line extension opened to the public.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening Video 9: Silver Ticket Train from Reston to Ashburn –
View Out Front Window 22-Minute Trip

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 9: View out the front window of the WMATA Silver Ticket train as it travels 22 minutes from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station. The transit authority invited 50 transit fans and their guests who shared their favorite Metro memory to a special ceremony and train ride right before the Silver Line extension opened to the public.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 8: VIP Train from Ashburn to Wiehle/
Reston East to Pick Up Silver Ticket Holders

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 8: WMATA Silver Line VIP train travels from the grand-opening ceremony at Ashburn Station to Wiehle/Reston East Station to pick up Silver Ticket holders. The transit authority invited 50 transit fans and their guests who shared their favorite Metro memory to a special ceremony and train ride.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 7: Ashburn Station Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened Nov. 15, 2022, Silver Line Phase 2 from Wiehle/Reston East Station to Ashburn Station via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Video 7: Ribbon-cutting ceremony to open Ashburn Station in Loudoun County, Virginia, western terminus of the Silver Line.