Non-revenue derailment at Smithsonian

Per NBC Wash and Metro, a non revenue train derailed around 5.30 am on August 6 at Smithsonian station. It supposedly derailed at the switch. No service from McPherson square and federal center. Silver line trains running between Wiehle and EFC only. Huge delays expect huge delays.

Once again WMATA is showing their collective amnesia.

When the Blue line opened in 1977 trains were crossed over at Eastern Market to service Stadium-Armory before the pocket track in D&G junction was ready.

No reason why the same could not be done to service Metro Center and L'Enfant Plaza.

8:45 AM press conference details: 3 cars derailed, were 1000/2000-series cars.

For the younger ones in the crowd (/me waves his hand), this occurred at the same interlocking as the derailment in 1982 that killed 3 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Wash ... derailment" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Good thing there wasn't a plane crash as well, today, otherwise the world really might be ending.

I walked down to Federal Triangle that night, spoke briefly to Cody Phanstiehl and one of the supervisors that was on the ground in the tunnel when it happened. The supervisor was visibly shaken.

Here is the press conference from the derailment this morning:
http://wjla.com/news/local/non-passenge ... ses-delays" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Smithsonian interlocking switches were just replaced in 2011. http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/P ... aseID=4828" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

WashPost story detailing how this train started from New Carrollton as an Orange line train and then switchesdto Blue at Federal Triangle to service Smithsonian, something that happens everyday. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr- ... c/?hpid=z1

Best-case scenario is single-tracking through the evening rush hour. https://twitter.com/AdamTuss/status/629350319697342464" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Afternoon briefing by Interim GM Requa: https://soundcloud.com/arijashe/jack-re ... ference-at" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm sure Dan Stessel will be on the air soon to blame this incident on a customer that sneezed in Bethesda. Then point out that everyone got home eventually, you're welcome....

Metro's service plan for this evening, following the re-institution of single-tracking. http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_ ... m?AID=5102

srepetsk wrote:For the younger ones in the crowd (/me waves his hand), this occurred at the same interlocking as the derailment in 1982 that killed 3 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Wash ... derailment" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Good thing there wasn't a plane crash as well, today, otherwise the world really might be ending.

Nonsense, without the blizzard it was just an ordinary day...

I'm out of town this week so unfortunately I have no first hand information on this incident.

It does seem that another Rohr deuce bit the dust though. I've been given word that 1272 was towed away to New Carrollton Yard along with 3156/57, but 1273 went to Alexandria Yard with 2048/49. That's the second deuce in as many months following the derailment at Brentwood Yard that killed 1012/13.

dcmike wrote:I'm out of town this week so unfortunately I have no first hand information on this incident.

It does seem that another Rohr deuce bit the dust though. I've been given word that 1272 was towed away to New Carrollton Yard along with 3156/57, but 1273 went to Alexandria Yard with 2048/49. That's the second deuce in as many months following the derailment at Brentwood Yard that killed 1012/13.

Huh. When was the Brentwood derailment? Are those two still on property or already sold off/scrapped? Also if I read your statement correctly, 1273 is the now-incapacitated one? Is there another pair for 1272 if they were to try and keep that in service? Apologies for all the questions in advance.