Why wasn't this failure noticed? Well it appears that the malfunction wasn't a constant state. Imagine a short circuit...it works one second, but not the next...similar to a flickering light bulb. Unfortunately this malfunction was undecteted, as it seemed to be operating normally whenever it was viewed. On Monday, June 22nd, the circuit failed. The result of this failure was a 9 fatality accident, with 80 injured passengers.
In the days prior to this accident, maintenance staff replaced a component of the safety system known as the Wee-Z bond...
The Wee-Z bonds (I cant help but laugh at hearing that every time now) connect the safety blocks that keep trains separated. Click HERE for a diagram from the washington post that does a great job at illustrating this. Back when I was heavily into model railroading, this is the exactly how we used to run two trains on the same track. We had our layout set up with electrically isolated blocks, preventing two trains from operating on the same segment (block) of track. My older brother actually did all of the wiring...he was just smart like that LOL!!
"According to an internal Metro report assessing the reliability of various track systems, problematic track circuitry stood out in the fiscal year ending in June 2008. Of 668 incidents that caused delays last year, track circuits accounted for 337, or more than half. The station with the highest number of track circuit delay incidents was the Takoma station."
Wow.
Oh yeah, and by the way, the red line is pretty much gonna be screwed for a long time due to this. The 35mph limit, which is creating havoc, is in place for a while...
Welcome to the new red line.
In honor of the failing Wee-Z bond, it's only right that we end this with none other than Lil Wayne!
4 comments:
I saw on the news this morning that that failing circuit was reported during those 5 days before the accident and there is an electronic file in a service database that Metro keeps. It wasn't fixed and we all know what happened next.
Damn shame :-|
I'm not a scientist, but I can't figure out how slower trains means fewer cars on the red line at one time. If the trains start at rush hour at the same speed and leave 3 minutes apart, can't you have a train arriving every 3 minutes like normal? Why is the red line 10 minutes between trains until further notice?
For now, I'm staying above ground on the bus!
Tom,
It could cause problems given that the length of time that the doors stay open at some stations is longer/shorter than others.
Turns into something like a NASCAR re-start where everyone is back together again and gaps between the drivers are gone.
What happens when Louise Jefferson marries Barry Bonds?
:-)
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