Quest for 243

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

WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 6: Arriving at Ashburn Station for 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 6: A WMATA Silver Line VIP train from Dulles Airport Station arrives at Ashburn Station in Loudoun County to officially open the western terminus. Dignitaries make their way from the train to the northern entrance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 5: VIP Train Departs Dulles Airport 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 5: A WMATA Silver Line VIP train departs Dulles Airport Station after the ribbon cutting heading for Ashburn Station in Loudoun County to officially open the western terminus.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening Video 4: Ribbon Cutting & VIPs Board First Train to Ashburn

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 4: Dignitaries cut the ribbon at Washington Dulles International Airport Station to ceremonially open the Silver Line extension, then board the first VIP train heading to Ashburn Station in Loudoun County, the western terminus.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 3: Transportation Secretary Pete
Buttigieg Delivers Closing Remarks

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 3: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg delivers closing remarks at the grand opening of the Washington Dulles International Airport Metro Station.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 2: Ceremony Begins at Dulles Airport 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 2: The WMATA Transit Police Department Honor Guard presents the flags at the start of the grand-opening ceremony at IAD station. Metro Board Chairman Paul Smedberg and General Manager Randy Clarke deliver opening remarks.


WMATA Silver Line Phase 2 Grand Opening
Video 1: Walking from IAD Int’l Arrivals to 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 1: I timed the walk from IAD’s international arrivals exit to the airport’s new Metro station at 5 minutes 50 seconds prior to the grand opening ceremony.


WMATA Transit Race 8:54 Record
Segment 14: King Street to Huntington

Lucas Wall established Nov. 16, 2022, the new speed record to pass through all 97 Washington Metrorail stations in a single day, making the 14-segment journey from the brand new Ashburn Station to Huntington Station in 8 Hours 54 Minutes. This contest is called the WMATA Transit Race – also known as D.C. Metro Challenge (WMATA = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority).

Segment 14: Blue Line Extra (normally Yellow Line) from King Street/Old Town to Huntington. New stations = 2; total all 97 stations. Time elapsed = 8:54.


WMATA Transit Race 8:54 Record
Segment 13: Franconia/Springfield to King Street

Lucas Wall established Nov. 16, 2022, the new speed record to pass through all 97 Washington Metrorail stations in a single day, making the 14-segment journey from the brand new Ashburn Station to Huntington Station in 8 Hours 54 Minutes. This contest is called the WMATA Transit Race – also known as D.C. Metro Challenge (WMATA = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority).

Segment 13: Backtracking 2 stops on the Blue Line from Franconia/Springfield to King Street/Old Town. Penultimate segment. New stations = 0; total 95 stations down, 2 to go. Time elapsed = 8:49.


WMATA Transit Race 8:54 Record
Segment 12: Downtown Largo
to Franconia/Springfield

Lucas Wall established Nov. 16, 2022, the new speed record to pass through all 97 Washington Metrorail stations in a single day, making the 14-segment journey from the brand new Ashburn Station to Huntington Station in 8 Hours 54 Minutes. This contest is called the WMATA Transit Race – also known as D.C. Metro Challenge (WMATA = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority).

Segment 12: Entire Blue Line from Downtown Largo to Franconia/Springfield. New stations = 15; total 95 stations down, 2 to go. Time elapsed = 8:27.


WMATA Transit Race 8:54 Record
Segment 11: New Carrollton to Downtown Largo

Lucas Wall established Nov. 16, 2022, the new speed record to pass through all 97 Washington Metrorail stations in a single day, making the 14-segment journey from the brand new Ashburn Station to Huntington Station in 8 Hours 54 Minutes. This contest is called the WMATA Transit Race – also known as D.C. Metro Challenge (WMATA = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority).

Segment 11: Prince George’s County Transit The Bus 21 from New Carrollton to Downtown Largo. This is the first time I hit a significant delay. Bus 21 departed 17 minutes late and arrived 16 minutes tardy. But it was still a few minutes quicker than backtracking by trains. New stations = 1; total 80 stations down, 17 to go. Time elapsed = 7:04.