MARC experiences Frederick <-> DC (Germantown, Damascus: buying a house, buying)

[elbows]

Considering buying a house north of Frederick. Would need to come into DC for work once a week or so.

Will be sample-commuting, but appreciate hearing people's thoughts on relying on MARC between Frederick and DC. I know its reliability is variable and that there is some criticism given VA's recent VRE investments. Looks like there are a couple of trains per day each direction.

Do users generally park in the parking garage by the station (East All Saints St Garage)? Does it fill up?

When there is a serious service interruption, what do people generally do?

How is the experience of riding the train?

Other things being equal, is it preferable train-wise to be on the Martinsburg line?

[brettwasbtd]

MARC is so much better than driving all the way or going to a metro station. I haven't ridden the train since the start of covid, but I am in Damascus and would drive to the Germantown station. I know a lot of folks still drive from frederick area down to germatown since there are more train options out of there. Anyways, it is about 50mins from Germantown to Union station.

[MidValleyDad]

Originally Posted by brettwasbtd

MARC is so much better than driving all the way or going to a metro station. I haven't ridden the train since the start of covid, but I am in Damascus and would drive to the Germantown station. I know a lot of folks still drive from frederick area down to germatown since there are more train options out of there. Anyways, it is about 50mins from Germantown to Union station.

Or drive to Point of Rocks and Pick up the train there. The train From Frederick goes out to Point of Rocks to get on the main line to DC. I would rather drive to PoR instead of Germantown