Silver Spring: Then and Now, a Personal Reflection By Bill Hakkarinen

“To meet the needs of increased traffic, a new, larger, and more imposing passenger station has recently been completed at Silver Spring; offering B&O passengers destined to or from Northwest Washington the very latest conveniences in station facilities.” The 1946 B&O system timetable carried this notice, with a map to the station location. Completed in 1945, the new station stood poised to handle the expected new growth and new era of passenger train service in the years following World War II.

It was the era of the streamliner. New cars and new trains would follow on the B&O and other major railroads. The “Columbian” was delivered in 1947, and, when my family moved to Prince George’s County in 1948, an annual relationship was established, one that would lead to a life-long avocation.

My family of origin was all in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Each summer, there would be the annual pilgrimage back to see “Grandpa(s) and Grandma(s) in Negaunee, where the families were next-door neighbors. It was a number of years before I realized that all kids’ grandparents didn’t live next door to each other. These trips all began at Silver Spring as harried parents herded an increasing number of kids and carry-on A&P shopping bags aboard the coaches of B&O #25.

My memories of the train trips are memories of pure fun. From the excitement of the dome car, to the fascination of watching the rails disappear behind us from the observation car, the train opened a world of adventure to me. And, of course, the trips were usually associated with happy family times.

However, the Interstate was coming, and eventually the lure of the open road was too great. Although we kids would beg and plead to go on the train, my father’s insistence on driving won out after about 1958. As I grew older, trips from Silver Spring became sporadic, eventually being limited to the occasional railfan excursion.

Passenger service continued, though, into the Amtrak era. Amtrak eventually moved its intercity service to Rockville, leaving MARC at the station until 2003.  In the 1980s, a car ran though the front doors and discussion of demolition ensued.

Citizen interest in the historic structure was high, and Montgomery Preservation led a group to seek preservation. Over $500,000 was raised. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, and the building restored to its original condition. Today, one can see the classically simple Colonial Revival style with a hipped slate roof, fanlight dormers, granite sills and keystones.  The interior as well is restored to its original condition, complete with the tubular design furniture with vinyl upholstery. It is truly like stepping back in time.  Outside, a sheltered trackside canopy and bench, protected by a fence, offers a safe place for children and adults to watch trains and the Washington Metro.

The station is open for public visitation on the first Saturday of each month, April through December, from 10 AM to 3 PM. It is also available for rental for special events, meets and parties.  The Washington DC Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, now alternates its monthly meetings between Silver Spring Station and an Alexandria, VA location at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

At the August meeting of the society, I had my first look at the restored station. It was everything I remembered from those many childhood trips. A model railroad has been added to the baggage room, installed by the Rockville Model Railroad Society, but the waiting room and central ticket counter are exact.

Further information about the current usage of the station may be found on the website: http://montgomerypreservation.org/BOStation.html