November 4, 2004
Red Line Blues
We thought that we'd seen it all on metrorail. But sure enough, DCist saw the up-ended Red Line train that crashed into another one yesterday at the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan. WMATA did its best to shield the view of the damage from riders with a blue tarp, but there is something very odd about seeing a metrorail car sticking up at a 30 degree angle resting awkwardly atop another train car.
The Red Line is single-tracked through all of the Upper Connecticut Avenue stations, but the delays only added about 10 minutes to DCist's trip this morning, but we're sure that others had different experiences (please tell us in comments).
We suggest you read the Post's indepth look at what happened yesterday. Apparently the brakes failed on the empty train and emergency braking systems did not kick in as the train rolled backwards down the steepest grade tunnel in any subway system (who knew that it was right here, between Cleveland Park and Woodley Park ...) and slammed into a train that was about to head into the tunnel.
Richard White, WMATA's chief, says the subway is safe. (We also suggest you read the Post's account on White's damage control efforts ...)
Anyhow, expect delays. Removing $1.5 million worth of splintered rail cars from underground rail tunnels is not an easy task.
>> DCist on metrorail's problems.
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Last night I was coming home a bit before midnight. We sat at Dupont for 4 minutes with the doors wide open. I thought, "maybe I should hoof it from her" but decided to wait, because Woodley is closer to my apartment and I am lazy. So the doors close and the driver announces, "We're not stopping at Woodley Park. This is after they close the doors. Thanks again Metro. Top notch.
Given their recent track record, I think Metro handled this situation relatively well today. They ran 8-car trains on the red line and charged off-peak fares to riders who entered the system at a red line station. They're doing the same for tonight's rush.
Personally, the only snag I encountered this morning was having to sit in the tunnel between Metro Center and Farragut North. The train ahead of ours was being taken out of service for whatever reason, but the conductor on our train made sure we knew that "we'll be moving momentarily."