Metro maintenance can be disruptive. It’s not a secret – weekend work is something that can really throw a wrench into your plans. You’ve often commented wondering why Metro has to take weekends, sometimes many in a row, to fix a track switch. Well in case you missed the Post’s awesome Commuter graphic this week, make sure to check it out to get a feel for how much labor and intricate planning actually goes into something as “simple” as switch work.

Here’s what we learned from the story: the process involves impeccable timing, 230 bolts, holes, and studs, “foul-smelling glue,” and enough big machines and metal to fascinate any four year old. A switch replacement actually begins a month in advance, requiring extra lighting and inspections; and once the actual work starts, there’s moments of rigid tension – such as when the box indicating power flow to the third rail chirps, and everyone working has to carefully watch every little step. There’s 12-hours shifts, noise, and “the sudden rush of air against the face” which indicates that there’s a speeding train flying by right next to the workers. Frankly, it makes for some killer prose, and we’re a little jealous.

So while we sometimes have the tendency to give Metro’s maintenance team a hard time, seeing the fine choreography required for the kinds of big maintenance tasks that are going to be needed more and more in the next few years makes us appreciate them a little bit more.

Photo by spiggycat.