Roger Bowles

Preliminary Report: 6/5/18 – WMATA Red Line Incident at Forest Glen Station

This is a preliminary review and as such is subject to change as our review continues. At about 5:05pm EDT on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, Glenmont-bound Red Line Train 133, consisting of six 3000-series cars, experienced a separation of a roof-mounted HVAC access panel (located on the ends) on the lead pair of cars—3213 andContinueContinue reading “Preliminary Report: 6/5/18 – WMATA Red Line Incident at Forest Glen Station”

Preliminary Report: 5/31/18 – WMATA Red Line Service Suspension Due to Arcing Insulator

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Red Line train service was suspended between Farragut North and Gallery Place on Thursday, May 31 from approximately 10:15 a.m. until 10:48 a.m. after a train operator reported seeing fire on the trackbed. At 10:09 a.m., the operator of 6-car Train 153 (T-153) en route from Metro Center toContinueContinue reading “Preliminary Report: 5/31/18 – WMATA Red Line Service Suspension Due to Arcing Insulator”

How long will an incident take?

Incidents happen on the railroad with varying severity, from door issues to brake problems, single-tracking, and trains hitting people. While each situation is unique, they typically follow the same general timeline. Our attempt here is not to predict exactly what will happen, but to shed light onto what actions need to happen and how longContinueContinue reading “How long will an incident take?”

February 28 Service Suspension on Orange and Silver Lines and Uncommanded Movement of WMATA Train 916

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Orange Line Train 916 became disabled and unable to release its brakes at the Ballston station at approximately 7:12 a.m. on Wednesday, February, 2018. Train 916 was a six-car train with cars 5003-5002-5187-5186-5172-5173 en route from Vienna to New Carrollton. Upon berthing at Ballston, Train 916 entered a condition calledContinueContinue reading “February 28 Service Suspension on Orange and Silver Lines and Uncommanded Movement of WMATA Train 916”

Recommendation to WMATA Regarding Potential Third Rail Condition

January 30, 2018 On January 25th and January 29th, two Vienna bound WMATA Orange Line trains experienced a brakes in emergency (BIE) condition while approaching the Stadium-Armory station, requiring both trains to be recovered by another. In light of this, Rail Transit OPS Group recommends the following: Perform an immediate detailed inspection of the contactContinueContinue reading “Recommendation to WMATA Regarding Potential Third Rail Condition”