WMATA 1000 series "preservation" clarification

[hobbyrail]

According to WMATA's Tweet last year: https://twitter.com/wmata/status/923977269793652737" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As of today, all 1000-series passenger cars (except #1000-1001 which are being preserved)...

Where do they put these cars? Are they accessible to the general public?

[Sand Box John]

"hobbyrail"

Where do they put these cars?

They are likely stored in one of the lesser used tracks in Brentwood or Greenbelt yards.

Are they accessible to the general public?

At present time, no.

They will be pretty much useless if WMATA doesn't preserve at least 2 more pairs from the rest of the aluminum fleet when they come up for retirement. Frankly I think WMATA should have preserved 3 pairs of the 1k cars and filled a 40' shipping can with spare parts.

[STrRedWolf]

I doubt it. I would bet they will be stored until a DC Transit Museum opens with enough space to store them (and other cars).

[mtuandrew]

You mean that loop up in Maryland isn’t enough for you?

There must be room somewhere for a museum-only third track physically disconnected from the rest of the system, like between Cheverly-Landover or Van Dorn-Franconia. WMATA was pretty clear on not letting 1ks roam the system anymore, but a pair ought to be able to run on their own single-occupancy track.

[Sand Box John]

"mtuandrew"
You mean that loop up in Maryland isn’t enough for you? :P

The curves on the trackage at the National Capital Trolley Museum is to sharp for WMATA rolling stock.

There must be room somewhere for a museum-only third track physically disconnected from the rest of the system, like between Cheverly-Landover or Van Dorn-Franconia. WMATA was pretty clear on not letting 1ks roam the system anymore, but a pair ought to be able to run on their own single-occupancy track.

The Greenbelt test track would fit that bill at zero investment cost. When all the 7k car acceptance testing is done the test track will lay dormant most of the time and will occasionally be used for in house overhaul acceptance testing.

Static display can be done in the pocket tracks at National Airport or West Falls Church.

[mtuandrew]

John: that would be perfect - as long as WMATA was willing to let the line be used on weekends and store the historic equipment at Greenbelt Yard.

[Sand Box John]

"mtuandrew"
John: that would be perfect - as long as WMATA was willing to let the line be used on weekends and store the historic equipment at Greenbelt Yard.

WMATA holds title to said historic equipment so storage costs would be on them. Operating costs would be a different matter.

Using the test track would be a no brainer as it is controlled totally separately from the mainline, however movement to and from the Greenbelt station track E2 platform for boarding and discharging passengers would have to be carefully coordinated around normal revenue service trains.

[STrRedWolf]

Unfortunately, both options would not do much good. The Greenbelt test track is closed to the public. The pocket tracks at West Falls Church and Regan National require fare to enter.

The only true option would be to build a proper museum with tracks and put 'em there. The problem would be finding space for them (getting them there isn't an issue)... and making sure you have room for the other sets as well. Plus, doesn't WMATA have a fleet of heritage buses?

[Backshophoss]

The NYCTA Museum Fleet roams the entire system ,based from 1 unused station and shop support at one of the major shops.
Chicago's El heritage fleet calls 1 of the shops home, uses retired volunteer help, also roams the entire system as well.
If a decent plot of land near a major shop,build a Museum/station,display tracks that are tied into yard trackage to allow
access for at least at short run around the yard that should OK for 1000/1001 to be used. as other classes are retired
call that yard "Home" and be allowed to roam the system as a mixed consist for "Fantrips"
The "Given" is 1000/1001 are not allowed out of yard limits of the "home" yard where the heritage fleet is based.
This could also be as the home for the Heritage Bus Fleet,that free up space at current bus depot/yard that the bus heritage fleet is stored at.

[mtuandrew]

STrRedWolf: but the test track is closed to the public in part because it doesn’t go anywhere and only connects to the main at a single point near Greenbelt. If a public use is found for the track on weekends, and if at least one side has emergency pedestrian access, WMATA could remove that restriction.

The one issue is that the only access to the test track is via revenue tracks, and I’d want to separate the tracks entirely so revenue trains would only use the southern platform on weekends. (Thus reasonably eliminating collision concerns.) Metro would have to either install a single crossover before the existing crossover (red) or extend the test track slightly (blue.)

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[STrRedWolf]

The NYCTA Museum Fleet roams the entire system ,based from 1 unused station and shop support at one of the major shops.
Chicago's El heritage fleet calls 1 of the shops home, uses retired volunteer help, also roams the entire system as well.
If a decent plot of land near a major shop,build a Museum/station,display tracks that are tied into yard trackage to allow
access for at least at short run around the yard that should OK for 1000/1001 to be used. as other classes are retired
call that yard "Home" and be allowed to roam the system as a mixed consist for "Fantrips"
The "Given" is 1000/1001 are not allowed out of yard limits of the "home" yard where the heritage fleet is based.
This could also be as the home for the Heritage Bus Fleet,that free up space at current bus depot/yard that the bus heritage fleet is stored at.

The thing is with NYC MTA's Museum Fleet, is that it's parked *at* the Transit Museum most of the time, and is accessible to the public.

Chicago's "L" heritage fleet doesn't have a central public location like NYC MTA's fleet does. There are other museums with some of the cars, but nothing matching NYC.

I haven't heard of any museum where you can walk through any WMATA car, TBH.

[Backshophoss]

What's at the Museum on Schermerhorn Street is a drop in the bucket,most of the museum fleet is kept at the shops.
WMATA is "New" to having a Heritage Fleet to tend to,should be taking notes from NYCTA,and CTA on how to proceed.

[mtuandrew]

WMATA is "New" to having a Heritage Fleet to tend to,should be taking notes from NYCTA,and CTA on how to proceed.

Hey WMATA, need a transit preservation expert to manage your museum fleet? Happy to lend a hand

[D40LF]

I thought I remembered hearing that 1000-1001, 4000-4001, and 5000-5001 were all being kept at Greenbelt Yard. I did see a photo on Facebook earlier this year showing 1000-1001 with the end cowls painted in primer.