Scrapyard

Scrapyard is a location south of Minefield. From Vault 101, it is northeast, past the Potomac River. More specifically, from Vault 101, in your map it is 3 squares north and 3 squares east almost exactly. It can be hard to find because it is somewhat of a depression in the ground. Looping along the south side of Scrapyard is an elevated railway, and south of that is geography sloping downwards into the river basin.

The Scrapyard can be entered through several breaches in the southwest, west, or north sides or through a gate on the south side.

In the northeast corner of scrapyard Dogmeat can be found fighting bandits. You will hear gunfire as you near this location.

Entrances near the southwest including the south gate will trigger a scripted event where a woman (wastelander) will approach you and tell you bandits have strapped explosives to her. You have the option to attempt to disarm the explosives or leave her. The skill test for this appears to be fairly high (50 or higher explosives?).

If you fail to disarm the explosive, she will start beeping and run away, then explode. After she explodes, the bandits will approach. One of these bandits has a Flamer. The rest have small arms and melee weapons.

This area has several radioactive pools that can be avoided, but appears to be empty of useful items. There is a locked shed in the scrapyard that requires a key to enter.

There is, however, a useful "safe" in the top Northwestern area. It contains three skill books. Look for the big red train car to the right of a radiation cesspool. Touching the red car's southern tip is a bus/train car that is cut in two. Enter the bus and look for two stairs (for leaving the bus) facing south. On the ground is John's Treasure Box. It looks like an ammunition box and is locked (hard). Inside are: Grognak the Barbarian, U.S. Army: 30 Handy Flamethrower Recipes, and Guns and Bullets. The key can be found on a random Wastelander, who you'll find being attacked by dogs near Meresti Station and possibly other locations. He will also have a note leading you to the Scrapyard and John's Treasure Box.

Appearances
Scrapyard appears in Fallout 3