A stunning move by DC Metro Rail....personally I think there is more to the story than what is being told, either in the condition of the electrical system or something else. Lots of talk about possibility of terror threat.
There will be NO, again, NO rail service in the DC area on Metro from 12 Midnight tonight to at least 5 am Thursday. Approx. 700,000 people use the rail system.
Info HERE
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An unprecedented move, for sure.
New GM making a statement to EVERYONE, including employees about safety. I hope those employees not involved in the inspection do a safety stand down exercise. The safety culture of Metro has been un-sat for a decade (since before the Red line collision). Asides from the risk of a rush hour fire and more casualties, the red line wreck, Falls Church wreck, derailments caused by spreading rails, operation of cars that NTSB has warned aren't safe, workers on tracks hit by moving trains and MoW gear, the recent death of a rider due to smoke, with a careful look, you can see the culture just isn't there after 3-4 years without a GM.
This also a message to the local pols; who are now starting to complain they weren't consulted before hand; the same pols have fought each other for years over funding.
And finally a message to everyone in the city that the city is somewhat crippled without Metrorail. I'll be working from home tomorrow and I normally don't ride it, but I'm not going to drive a 1/3 of the way around the beltway tomorrow.
A list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...the_Washington_Metro
Bob
BART in the SF Bay Area uses the same type of cars.
Most of the cars are 40 years old now.
They have had electrical problems with newer transformers burning out train electronics.
And We thought only model trains had electronic control problems.
There has been a lack of accountability within the employee ranks of Metro for many years - it is run as a jobs program more than a railroad. Combine this incompetence with an aging system and politicians who pass the buck on oversight and it is frankly only due to the grace of God that there aren't more injuries.
The new GM is likely unsettled by the fact that the insulator that burned had already been "repaired" raising questions whether the prior work and representations made could be relied upon.
Here's an article in the Washington Post this morning discussing the jumper cable issue, jumper cable. Fortunately, OPM gave many federal employees the option of unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework today, to try and get some folks off the roads.
Jim
As an example of what Ray mentions; everyday, teams of three employees WALK every mile of the system to inspect the track. I'm curious. Anyone know if any other major transit system in the US has employees walk the entire system daily?
Last year, NTSB recommended to Department of Transportation that Metrorail be placed under FRA jurisdiction. A cited reason for this were incidents of track being out of gauge, but nothing being done about it for long periods of time or until a derailment took place. Under FRA rules, the track would had to be taken out of service immediately. Local pols complained and in the end, DOT elected not to enact the change. I would expect labor was involved in lobbying as well.
Bob
The system needed to be shut down. But why not a WEEKEND? And on a day where people are not voting. Interesting!
bbunge posted:As an example of what Ray mentions; everyday, teams of three employees WALK every mile of the system to inspect the track. I'm curious. Anyone know if any other major transit system in the US has employees walk the entire system daily?
Last year, NTSB recommended to Department of Transportation that Metrorail be placed under FRA jurisdiction. A cited reason for this were incidents of track being out of gauge, but nothing being done about it for long periods of time or until a derailment took place. Under FRA rules, the track would had to be taken out of service immediately. Local pols complained and in the end, DOT elected not to enact the change. I would expect labor was involved in lobbying as well.
Bob
WHY FRA? It is considered heavy rail as in transit, so should it be considered under FTA?
Dominic Mazoch posted:The system needed to be shut down. But why not a WEEKEND? And on a day where people are not voting. Interesting!
I think the GM looked at the results of Monday morning's fire and started to wonder if the next fire couldn't happen later that day, tomorrow or Friday. And I suspect he wanted to make a statement that he's in charge and this is serious. It could also be it would cost more money to bring in all the needed employees to do the inspection on a Saturday and pay them over time. Add to this DC is just starting the tourist season. Over the next couple of weeks, Metro will start to be flooded with spring break school groups coming to town and by the end of the month, Metro will experience some of their heaviest weekday and weekend traffic periods during the Cherry Blossom peak.
No voting today in DC/VA/MD.
Bob
Dominic Mazoch posted:bbunge posted:Last year, NTSB recommended to Department of Transportation that Metrorail be placed under FRA jurisdiction.
Bob
WHY FRA? It is considered heavy rail as in transit, so should it be considered under FTA?
Ah, it is temporarily under FTA:
Dominic Mazoch posted:The system needed to be shut down. But why not a WEEKEND? And on a day where people are not voting. Interesting!
A few things:
1) I think the problem is major and the public may not be told the full extent. For them to do this on a weekday means that the problem must be substantial.
2) Cherry Blossom festival starts, I think, this weekend. Metro would like to avoid a national PR nightmare
3) The new guy wants to show that he isn't playing around and pushing things to the next guy.
I believe the other systems that shut down have people doing inspections and repair work overnight, I believe the Boston Subway does that if I recall correctly. One of the arguments they make for shutting the system down at night is it allows for efficient repair in the non service hours, so having people walk the system might simply be SOP because they can, unlike the NYC system that is 24/7.
For them to shut down like this indicates major problems, I agree with others, that is unprecedented outside terrorism threats or major storms. I suspect they believe they have major problems out there with a high potential to have a major instance, it is the only reason they would shut down like this on a weekday, especially since the system is not 24/7, if it were routine maintainence they could do it then.
It will be interesting to see what all they did find.
This reports says they found 26 "issues" and include a photo of one frayed cable.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/t...tions-372204272.html
Previous management said these cables were checked last year after the fatal Yellow line fire. I wonder how many of these cables are original to the system? I do hope the new GM can root out and fire the folks who likely gundecked the previous inspection. Note the article says electrical engineers (drivers? ... run and duck for cover :-) from Amtrak and other commuter rail systems were included on the teams.
Bob
Dominic Mazoch posted:It will be interesting to see what all they did find.
That no matter what the problem it's not a people issue of "finding and fixing it right the first time". It could only have been solved with a few more millions or billions of dollars.
My guess is that on the last inspection those doing the inspection work were told to not look that close, that the managers knew they had a major problem on their hands but knowing asking for money to fix the problem would be a major problem, basically put their head in the sand. Generally, when something like this happens, it isn't 'lazy and indolent' workers, the usual scapegoat, but rather management foul ups. I remember when the NYC subway system by the 1970's was a mess, and heard all kinds of horror stories about TA employees and the TA unions and how they didn't care, did crappy work, and the reality was it was many,many years of deferred maintainence coming home to roost.
Inconvenient to be sure -- and very short notice -- but informal sampling of comments from riders I heard and read were mostly supportive of WMATA and the new Director's decision to make this move in the name of safety.
While you guys discuss the DC Metro can any of you make a recommendation of a hotel to stay at close to a metro station ? I plan to visit Washington in June with the family.
The Metro system is suffering from YEARS of complete mismanagement and deferred maintenance. I refuse to ride it any more. I currently work for the federal government and they will pay to take metro at no expense to me. I would rather pay for my own gas and drive and sit in traffic rather than deal with Metro.
CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:While you guys discuss the DC Metro can any of you make a recommendation of a hotel to stay at close to a metro station ? I plan to visit Washington in June with the family.
Best hotels are pretty expensive. This Marriott is right above Metro Center. Can't get any closer than that.
If I stay at that hotel I would not need the Metro. I want to stay in the cheaper suburbs and commute into D.C.
If you want suggestions on where to stay, then it would help to let us know where you want to go, and what commute time might be acceptable. Also, do you want a hotel that is within walking distance of metro or would you take a hotel shuttle or drive to the metro. As an example, Rockville is at the north end of the Red Line. You could drive to Shady Grove and park (about $5 weekdays, free on weekends). You could also have a hotel at Twinbrook or White Flint ( a couple of stops towards D.C.) and walk a couple of blocks to the Metro.
Jim
jd-train posted:If you want suggestions on where to stay, then it would help to let us know where you want to go, and what commute time might be acceptable. Also, do you want a hotel that is within walking distance of metro or would you take a hotel shuttle or drive to the metro. As an example, Rockville is at the north end of the Red Line. You could drive to Shady Grove and park (about $5 weekdays, free on weekends). You could also have a hotel at Twinbrook or White Flint ( a couple of stops towards D.C.) and walk a couple of blocks to the Metro.
Jim
Rockville, Shady Grove, etc is my stomping ground. I live in Potomac but know the area like the back of my hand. Rockville, Shady Grove and others are substantially more than "a couple" stops toward Washington. Assuming you want to go right downtown to the monuments, museums, etc, expect a good 40 minute train ride from the Rockville/Shady Grove/Twinbrook area IF you are lucky and there isn't some meltdown. Did that commute for several years, don't miss it a bit.
Downtown Bethesda is an option, lots to do in town, easy walk to Metro and is relatively close in to the city. Would also be an easy drive if you took that option. Rockville town center is also a good option. Lots of hotels, Metro is walking distance (near the courthouse). From Rockville you could also take the MARC train (diesel commuter train) into Union Station.
White Flint has a very nice new-ish Marriott within walking distance. Twin brook has an older, not as nice Hilton within walking distance.
I personally would avoid Metro on the weekends - infrequent service, occasionally closures of track for work, high prices. Would be quicker, easier and cheaper to drive.
CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:If I stay at that hotel I would not need the Metro. I want to stay in the cheaper suburbs and commute into D.C.
I didn't respond at first because of the large range of options and that living here, I don't often say in hotels. But based on this response, you will find a wide range of hotels in Silver Spring, Md. There are many within walking distance of metro and it is a nice but short metro ride to Union Station (Capitol Hill) and the museum/mall area. Some hotels have free parking and some might charge. I generally hear good things about the hotels from co-workers who stay in them while here on trips. Silver Spring has a large number of restaurants and a very active night life with hundreds of mid-to-high priced apartments and condos coming on line each year that are occupied by young professionals who work downtown. The hotels will be cheaper as you move away from the immediate Silver Spring downtown and the metro station. There will also be a slightly higher risk of crime, especially at night, as you walk from metro to the hotel.
The Silver Spring MARC station isn't a bad spot to fan CSX, MARC and Amtrak 30 and 31 but there is no ATSC and no signals for clues as to what is coming. Driving from Silver Spring, if you time trips around the 3-4 hour long traffic rushes, you can reach places like Point of Rocks (CSX), Relay, MD/St Denis MARC (CSX) and Amtrak/NEC MARC stations like Bowie State and Seabrook in 30 minutes to 2 hours. Or you can ride (metro or MARC) to Union Station and catch MARC out to some of those spots. It is sort of a good time to fan Metro (as strange as that sounds to a local!) since you can catch and ride cars from the slowly being scraped 1000 series to the brand new 7000 series - all of the different cars ever run on Metro.
Bob
Sorry, if any confusion. Twinbrook and White Flint are a couple of stops from Shady Grove (the north end of the Red Line.)
It is my area of familiarity as well, as I live in Frederick County and have worked in Rockville for more than 20 years.
There are several newer hotels near White Flint that are only a couple of blocks from the Metro. Parking is generally free at these hotels. I would probably select White Flint over Rockville. Once you get to Bethedsa, you begin to pay daily parking fees. May or may not be a deal breaker, as the metro fares into D.C. would be slightly lower from Bethesda. Lots of restaurants in Bethesda as well. One other nice thing about Bethesda, is that there is more frequent metro service than White Flint/Twinbrook/Rockville/Shady Grove, in that many of the Red Line north trains will end at Grosvenor station.
Short of driving everywhere on the weekend, I'm not sure how you would avoid Metro. If you are driving to the Zoo, leave early as there is limited parking. Every where else downtown D.C., I would rather (and do) take metro and avoid the hassle of driving and parking in downtown D.C.
MARC is certainly an option, with the limitation being the schedule is only weekdays and pretty much limited to the rush hours.
If I were flying into Reagan National, I would probably look for a hotel near the airport area, maybe Crystal City, in Virginia. Very convenient to downtown D.C., and off two metro lines (blue and yellow).
Personally, if I was going to be in D.C. for only a couple of days, I would look for a hotel downtown D.C. More expensive, but I could come or go as I like. Weekend prices aren't to bad, and once in a while, we will find a deal on Groupon. We will take the old car and park it for free at the Shady Grove Metro garage and take the Metro into D.C. Makes for a fun, and not very expensive weekend.
Jim
+1 on Bob's suggestion for downtown Silver Spring as well. 
Jim
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