WMATA Washington Metro

I thought it was powered down after service ended... Thought I remembered them saying something about that after that big accident a couple years ago... I think that the metro is set up in "blocks" like a conventional train set and turns on and of when a train goes in a certain area....

I could be way wrong though.

Ding ding, Ding Ding next stop door opening , right side, branch avenue.

Was a green line rider myself for a while while stationed there

I do not know about WMATA, but at BART, which is a similar system, the main line third rail is always energized unless maintenance or operations request that it be shut off.  The yard tracks with cars on them are shut off at night as a energy saving effort.

Thanks for the replies. I know the third rail on WMATA is always energized when the system is open and running, unless shut down by Central. I pass through the Brentwood yards (part of Amtrak's Ivy City yard) each day and I would imagine some of the yard tracks holding MOW equipment or even the lesser used yard tracks have the power cut. 

 

Not meaning to turn this political, but the entire system is a mess, not what many non-regular riders think it is. Daily major issues, delays, etc, etc, etc. See un suck DC metro blog! Everything posted there is 100% ACCURATE! 

RE: The Red Line

 

Agreed on the issues and problems which have become a daily occurrence. I rode Metro back in the 70s when it first opened  (and admittedly was a much smaller system ), and it was a great way to commute. And of course fares and parking were about a fourth of current rates.

 

My son takes the MARC train down to Union Station for school and loves it. He switched over from taking Metro and has never looked back. Fewer stops, more room, and a generally better experience. 

John: I also use Metro for my school trip to Catholic University each day. On occasion I will take the MARC train, particularly when I know METRO is having a meltdown. Each time I take the MARC, it is cheaper, cleaner, quieter, nicer people, etc. Plus, I get to see some cool trains I wouldn't usually see from the Metro running past US - always a plus! 

 

Regardless, if I switched to MARC for my daily trips, I would still have to take Metro a bit. That and my schedule doesn't mesh very well with Marc. 

SJC,

 

Yes, his sentiments exactly. My youngest son is at Gonzaga and has the easy 5-7 walk from Union Station. His older brothers were in car pools for the most part but I think he’ll probably continue to take MARC from here on out (he’ll be a senior next year).  He really enjoys the ride and doesn’t miss Metro.  And as you mention, with his monthly pass (and a partial student discount) MARC ends up being cheaper than the Metro.

 

He’s become a bit of a train spotter, too. He’ll tell me about different looking trains he sees on occasion, especially some of the private Pullman cars (Dover Harbor, for one) that are parked in the yards outside Union Station.