New to Slugging

http://www.slug-lines.com/AM_Lines/Am_Slug_lines.asp

Not sure what specific information you are looking for, but this should help you get started. You will see the links to the morning slug lines from Lorton, so you can determine which line you will leave from based on your actual location/destination/parking/etc. The home page also includes a link to the Slug Ettiquette/Rules: http://www.slug-lines.com/Slugging/Etiquette.asp if you are unsure of anything before you get started.

Good luck, and happy slugging!

When you say get into town do you mean D.C.? What is your destination?

Worse comes to worse, I can just catch the train at the VRE if I dont get picked up....

Jim

Just thought I'd update info on Lorton. It would be nice to expand the slugs going to the VRE in the morning, so there will be enough people to build a return line. Lorton Shell appears to have died a long time ago, and having it on the web might be keeping away people who would otherwise try the VRE lot line.

The slug lines go in to L'Enfant station or Pentagon. A few people ask for Crystal City too, and there are the occasional drivers for Metro Center (besides me). Some drivers go in on 14th, then turn right on C SW towards L'Enfant. So you could potentially get dropped of at 14th and C.

The best times appear to be between 7:15 and 7:45. At least that is what I've been told, since I never seem to make it there in time.

10 minutes before any of the trains are supposed to arrive might be the sweet spot. There is a 7:18, 8:03 and 8:27 trains.

L'Enfant people tend to be mostly before 8. More Pentagon people come in the 8 to 8:25 time span.

If you are a slug that doesn't get a ride, buying a single ride ticket on the platform is easy, but you have to pay by credit card. It is easier and cheaper to buy a 10-ride ticket and validate before you ride each time. Since you will probably go back on the VRE, it's best to do it anyways. You can also buy the 10-ride tickets online, or at one of the Commuter store locations.

If you are driving north on Lorton Station Blvd from Lorton Rd, you will pass a stop sign that goes into the little shopping center on your left. You go north up to the next entrance to the left which goes to the main VRE station entrance. There is a clock tower and a medical building to your right as you turn in.

As you go in, there are these little grassy areas at the ends of the rows. The slug line is to your left on the second to last row. If driving, make a U-turn and pull up to the line. If riding as a slug, you will have to park fairly far away to find an open spot (it is a big lot) and then walk back.

Since the last train comes at 8:27, drivers should assume that any possible slugs hopped the train rather than risk being stuck at the slug line location. If you come by after 8:30, or if you don't have enough slugs at that point, head up to Bob's.

From the VRE station, keep going north on Lorton Station Blvd. You will hit a T intersection onto Pohick road. Go left, and you will immediately turn right onto Alban Rd. Alban turns into Backlick later on, and then you will be approaching Bob's from the south side. It is on your left. While you are going N on Backlick, close to Bob's, you will see a point where part of Backlick veers to the left. You want to follow the part to the left. You will see Backlick rise up to go over a bridge. Turn left right before you get to the bridge.

I know people know where Bob's is, but I didn't know if they knew the back way to get there from Lorton VRE without hitting traffic.