Based on articles and other postings I have seen, that first train (that got out of control) was being operated in manual mode.
Just as a curiosity: Here in the Philly/South Jersey area, we have the PATCO line connecting Philadelphia and Lindenwold, NJ. The trains on this line operate via ATO and ATC in a manner similar to the Metro. The operators only open and close the doors, and then hit a "start" button to start the train in automatic mode. In cases of emergency or a wayside or on board ATO failure, an operator can override the auto controls and run the train manually, even while moving.
Over the course of the day, each train operator on PATCO is required to make one round trip in manual mode, just as a means of keeping in practice. You usually can tell when you are riding a train in manual mode if you are in the head car (operators taking more distance to stop, extra reaction time to acknowledge a cab signal change, etc.
I wonder if WMATA has a similar policy for their operators.
Just as a curiosity: Here in the Philly/South Jersey area, we have the PATCO line connecting Philadelphia and Lindenwold, NJ. The trains on this line operate via ATO and ATC in a manner similar to the Metro. The operators only open and close the doors, and then hit a "start" button to start the train in automatic mode. In cases of emergency or a wayside or on board ATO failure, an operator can override the auto controls and run the train manually, even while moving.
Over the course of the day, each train operator on PATCO is required to make one round trip in manual mode, just as a means of keeping in practice. You usually can tell when you are riding a train in manual mode if you are in the head car (operators taking more distance to stop, extra reaction time to acknowledge a cab signal change, etc.
I wonder if WMATA has a similar policy for their operators.
"CSX Detector. Milepost Six Point Four. No Defects. Repeat: No Defects. Total Axles Seven Four Seven. Detector Out"
