August 8, 2007
Metro Slows Down Trains Due to Heat
In other words, expect delays on your way home from work tonight, and to get home a little later than you're used to. On the plus side, you can now email a link to this post to your boss as a solid reason to leave a little early. Good luck out there.Metrorail trains will be kept to speeds of 45 mph and lower this afternoon, August 8, and trains will be operated manually instead of automatically due to excessive heat conditions.
Starting at 2 p.m. today, trains will be operating in manual mode above ground at no faster than 45 mph as rail operators and track inspectors keep an extra eye on the rails. Excessive heat can cause “kinks” or bending of the steel rails, and the speed restriction and manual--instead of automatic--train control, combined with ongoing track inspections help identify any piece of track that may be affected by the heat.
Photo by krisetya
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Man, FUCK Metro. Yesterday afternoon, the Red Line in the direction of Shady Grove was totally fucked, all the while Metro's website said "there are no service alerts at this time."
I don't envy Metro station managers today. Hotter than heck, slower service, and "customer" tempers to match, I'm sure.
Makes me very glad I bike, even in this heat.
Metro is a giant turd with an engine...a slow engine.
And I thought yesterday was bad.
At least we're not New York today. I commend metro for taking the proper safety precautions in this miserable heat.
Actually, it's not this hot in NY today, but, for as dirty as the NY subway is, it's gets you there speedier than Metro and is better equipped for inclimate weather. If Metro would focus more on service, than on yelling at and ticketing people who eat and drink on the train, we'd have a much more efficient transportation system.
Muck Fetro!
To #6:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/nyregion/08cnd-weather.html?
All things considered, I'm glad Metro is taking a proactive approach in order to prevent even greater delays.
It's not Metro's fault that it's so friggin' hot. It's Al Gore's fault...
The DC buses should be free today, just like they are in VA and MD. I realize that's a huge loss of revenue, but it might offset crowds because of slower trains, as well as the number of people who drive within city limits.
And yes, WMATA really needs to work on how they announce things across all the transit services. Their e-alert system is only for trains, and doesn't work if they don't update the advisories, anyways.
Down with Catoe ... Down With Catoe
Catoe is a douche .....
11 and 12, you are soooooo constructive. go back to college, interns.
Why do you wan't the interns to go away? Without them we have to wait for the college students to get back for a quick nice easy lay
Well, its 100!!! Not sure how anyone can manage that temp
Hm, I heard on WTOP that the Metro buses *are* free today? Any truth to this?
This is what I saw:
from: http://wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1211659
The bus I took this morning in DC wasn't free. Maybe they are this afternoon/evening. One can only hope.
11 and 12, you are soooooo constructive. go back to college, interns.
Hi, John, aren't you supposed to be running WMATA instead of posting rude comments on DCist?
Taking precautions during extreme weather conditions is sensible. Regarding the "slowing down" of trains, IIRC Boston and Chicago do the same thing. Don't know about NYC and others.
Just for the record some of those "interns" happen to actually live in DC and aren't just here for the summer. I agree delays suck and metro needs some serious managment, but if they ignore heat warnings and some disaster happens, all the people complaining about delays would be complaining about how metro chose to ignore the warnings. Give them a break and try to relax a little, a metro delay is not the end of the world.
Hm, I heard on WTOP that the Metro buses *are* free today? Any truth to this?
Only those buses with routes within Virginia, or that travel into or out of the Commonwealth.
i don't believe some of these posts. people are actually upset at metro over the physics of metal.
It's a Code Orange day, and metrobuses are free on Code Orange days in Virginia only. On Code Red days (which are even worse - can you imagine?), metrobuses are free in D.C. and Maryland, too.
Is anyone really that stoked at the prospect of saving $1.25 on bus fare (or 35 cents with a transfer)?
"i don't believe some of these posts. people are actually upset at metro over the physics of metal."
Nah- The real reason there're upset because some northern state with cooler weather got all that free press for a recent transportation disaster, and all DC gets is to simmer slowly. With any luck, they'll be able to rubberneck some freeway accident on the way home to kick the dog.
Down with steel! Down with steel!
Steel is a douche!
Is anyone really that stoked at the prospect of saving $1.25 on bus fare (or 35 cents with a transfer)?
Maybe not for the majority of this readerships' demographics, but for me--and probably others--saving $2.50 wouldn't be a bad thing. But I think the concept of a "free ride" is to encourage people to NOT use gas (and save more than bus fare!), SAVE energy and frustration driving in the heat, and at least ATTEMPT to help the air quality.
I realize it probably doesn't do much, but it might help some.
Thanks [23] for the clarification--now can anyone explain what defines a Code Red day?
What I want to know is when they'll turn the AC back on at the Friendship Heights station. It's really unpleasant there right now, I don't understand why they would choose now to screw with it.
see here for the Air Quality Index from EPA
http://airnow.gov/
Orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Red is just plain unhealthy. Purple is very unhealthy and brown is hazardous.
Gosh, I'd love to post a comment without getting all the extra sensitive rebuttals. Can't we all just express our angst or support without all the one-upping?
I, for one, say: Yay, I'm leaving work early!
And just an fyi to y'all. Dupont, Woodley and Cleveland Park stations are all now closed due to a suspicious package at Dupont.
(I assume Farragut North is not affected because it has a track crossover where the trains could probably switch back. The next one to the north must be at Van Ness?)
#31 -- That should help slowing things down.
Great, first El Guapo quits blogging, now this. Why don't I just head right to the bar?
This is another example of a broken promise by Fenty, Catoe and Michelle Rhee. These guys are worse than Marion Barry!