Category WMATA

Recommendation to WMATA Regarding Potential Third Rail Condition

Rail Transit OPS Group

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 contact (third) rail on the inbound track over a distance of 3,000 feet from Chain Marker D2 245 to D2 275.
  • Until the results of the inspection are complete, implement absolute block procedures from signal D98/32 to Stadium-Armory platform to restrict trains to one at a time in the area of concern.
  • Perform a detailed inspection of rail cars 3060-3061; these cars were in both trains involved.

Events that preceded this recommendation:

On Thursday, January 25, 2018 at about 5:28 p.m., Orange Line Train 919 consisting of six 3000 series cars enroute to Vienna lost brake pipe pressure while in approach to Stadium-Armory station, came to a stop, entered a condition known as Brakes in Emergency in the approximate area of Chain Marker D2 250+00, and had to be recovered by another train.

On Monday, January 29, 2018 at 6:59 a.m., Orange Line to Vienna Train 919, also consisting of six 3000 series cars, experienced an identical malfunction in the same track circuit.

During our review of train movements through the area, eight car trains that stopped in the circuit were unaffected, as were trains that continued moving.

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Rail Transit OPS Group is an independent, publicly-funded organization that monitors rail transit operations, performance, and safety procedures to proactively address potential issues. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Recommended Alternate Service Plan for WMATA Red Line following 1/15/18 Derailment

Rail Transit OPS Group

Due to the derailment of WMATA Red Line Train 106 on the morning of Monday, January 15, 2018, and to accommodate incident investigation and any repair work, Rail Transit OPS Group is recommending to WMATA the following alternate service plan for Red Line service for as long as necessary:

  • Operate Red Line trains at 12 minute headways in two segments: from Shady Grove to Farragut North, and from Glenmont to Union Station
  • Operate a single eight-car “shuttle train” from Union Station to Farragut North via the Shady Grove track (opposite the incident track) with an operator on both ends of the train to minimize turnaround time at Union Station and Farragut North
  • Recommend that passengers on the Glenmont segment that need to access the Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow, or Green lines transfer at Fort Totten
  • Add several “tripper” Yellow Line trains to originate from Greenbelt during the peak of morning rush hour; similarly, have “tripper” trains go back to Greenbelt during the peak of evening rush hour

We chose Union Station and Farragut North as terminals for the shuttle train in part due to those stations’ center platforms (as opposed to side platforms); riders transferring from Red Line trains originating from Shady Grove or Glenmont to the shuttle train at Farragut North or Union Station, respectively, could conveniently walk straight across the center platform to the shuttle train to continue their trip, as opposed to having to take elevators or escalators to another platform at the same station.

While this service plan reduces the frequency of Red Line trains and may require some riders to transfer twice to access other lines instead of just once, it would eliminate the need for single tracking and thus help minimize delays, allowing WMATA to schedule more consistent service for its customers.

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Rail Transit OPS Group is an independent, publicly-funded organization that monitors rail transit operations, performance, and safety procedures to proactively address potential issues. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Preliminary Statement on 1/15/18 Derailment of WMATA Red Line Train 106

Rail Transit OPS Group

This is a preliminary statement. The information below is subject to change as this is an ongoing investigation.

On Monday, January 15, 2018 at approximately 6:27AM EST, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Red Line Train 106 originating from Shady Grove station and enroute to Glenmont station derailed while traveling from Farragut North station to Metro Center station. Train 106 departed Farragut North at approximately 6:26AM and, after traveling about 2,200 feet and reaching an estimated maximum speed of about 39 MPH, came to a stop after the operator reported a loss of train propulsion and being unable to release the train’s brakes. WMATA personnel who responded to the incident reported light smoke was visible from Metro Center station, and DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DCFEMS) was notified around 6:28AM.

Train 106 consisted of the following eight railcars (in order of direction of travel): 7306, 7307, 7305, 7304, 7214, 7215, 7315, and 7314; 7214, 7215, and 7315 (cars 5, 6, and 7) derailed. Train 106 was carrying 64 individuals, none of whom are reported to have sustained any major injuries. Damage to the tracks, tunnel, and railcars have yet to be determined. The 64 individuals aboard the train were evacuated to Metro Center via the trackbed at about 8:00AM, approximately 90 minutes after the incident.

Edit: This original version of this preliminary statement asserted that the first seven cars of the incident train derailed. This was based on initial information from DCFEMS and was incorrect. We’ve since corrected this post; according to WMATA, only cars 5, 6, and 7 of the incident train derailed.

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Rail Transit OPS Group is an independent, publicly-funded organization that monitors rail transit operations, performance, and safety procedures to proactively address potential issues. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

January 2, 2018 Shady Grove Yard Derailment

Rail Transit OPS Group

At about 6:52AM EST on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, the third car of an eight-car 7000-series train preparing to enter revenue service at Shady Grove station (A15) derailed while passing a switch within the Shady Grove rail yard (A99). The only personnel aboard the train at the time of the derailment was the train operator, who was uninjured. Damages to the railcars and track infrastructure are still being assessed by Metro.

A Google Maps satellite image of the area surrounding the location of the incident. The red pin in the WMATA Shady Grove Rail Yard indicates the approximate location of the derailment relative to other landmarks, like Shady Grove station.

The non-revenue train was traversing the outer of the two “loop tracks,” which curve around the northern side of the yard, destined for Shady Grove station; upon arrival, it was expected to enter revenue service as Red Line Train 107.

The train’s operator reported a derailment of the 3rd car in the train, car 7297, after feeling the train jerk. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the scene as well as WMATA Emergency Management, Automatic Train Control, Car Maintenance, and Kawasaki personnel.

The derailment was reported over the diamond interlocking by signal A99/26. The train was intended to receive a straight-through move from A99/26 signal to A15/36 signal at Shady Grove station.

A diesel locomotive known as a Prime Mover from within the Shady Grove rail yard was dispatched to begin re-railing the train car once the incident investigation completed.

Second incident shuts down

A separate incident in which smoke was seen emanating from the Shady Grove rail yard Traction Power Station (TPS) was reported at approximately 7am. All power to the yard was brought down to allow WMATA Power crews and MCFRS to investigate.

During this time, handbrakes were applied to multiple cars on unsecured trains stored in the rail yard and train moves within the yard were halted.

The yard was reenergized at around 7:45am.

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Rail Transit OPS Group is an independent, publicly-funded organization that monitors rail transit operations, performance, and safety procedures to proactively address potential issues. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

2018-0003 Recommendation to modify announcements on 7000 series railcars

Rail Transit OPS Group

December 6, 2017

From: Rail Transit OPS Group

RE: WMATA 7000 series railcar announcements

Status: Open-No Action Taken (12/6/17)

Recommend that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) immediately require train operators, operating 7000 series rail cars manually announce station arrivals in order for passengers to be aware of the side of the train in which the doors will open, until such time as a software upgrade will permit the automatic announcement of door operations.

Currently the automatic station arrival announcement is as follows: “This is [Station]”

This announcement does not inform unfamiliar passengers, and visually impaired passengers as to which side of the train the doors will be operating.

The recommended announcement is: “Arriving at [Station], Doors will open on the [Side], Transfer to MARC, VRE, Amtrak etc.”

Along with the addition of the door location to the announcement, Rail Transit OPS Group is additionally recommending that the dwell announcement (announcement that plays upon door opening) be modified to the following:

“Step Back Doors Opening – This is an [Color] Line Train to [Destination], the next station is [Station]; Please move to the center of the car and stand clear of the doors”

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Rail Transit OPS Group is an independent, publicly-funded group that monitors rail transit operations, performance, and safety procedures to proactively address potential issues. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.