Metro: all carpet in 5000/6000-series cars gone by 2015

[JDC]

According to a press release today, Metro will remove carpeting over the next 1.5 years from all of the 5000 and 6000-series railcars. See http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/P ... aseID=5618.

As I mentioned in the post about the new lighting at L'Enfant, which we just learned today will be undertaken at all underground stations, and as it also relates to the upgrades to the PIDs, it seems like we're finally seeing some big changes at Metro.

[JDC]

Of course the question always boils down to "is Metro actually going to work to keep it clean?', but I would have to imagine that this type of flooring will be easier to clean than carpet. One rainy, muddy or snowy day and the carpeting is went and gross and would need a deep cleaning to be better. The same day and all you would need to do is mop the floor or power wash it. Much less effort, and Metro is not known for great effort.

Not sure about the critique of the standing room - that's in existing Metro cars and it works OK. It's getting better on the 8000 where there will be more hand holds, but the removal of vestibule poles is part of an ADA-issue with wheelchairs not being able to navigate around them. And also not sure of the critique of Nebraska, which in no way is designing the Metro 8000-series cars. They're being built there, but the design is all Metro's via Japan and Kawasaki.

[afiggatt]

You can bet that no matter what this stuff is made out of, there is something that can stain it at least enough to be too much trouble to clean well, or that can take divots, or scratch it or otherwise damage it in unsightly ways. Admittedly though, it may be challenging to make it look a whole lot worse than it looks to start with.

AFAIK, the floor cover material to be used in the Series 7000 cars is the same as used in the newer NYC subway and MBTA T cars. Looks to be the same as what I have seen in NYC subway and T cars. If the floor material can hold up in NYC, it can hold up to daily use in DC.

[tommyboy6181]

You would be correct. On some 6000 series cars, Nora flooring has been installed (the rubberized floor).
http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/P ... aseID=2068" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That same company has provided flooring for many of the NYC subway trains, as well as others around the world.
http://www.nora.com/uploads/media/Transport_us.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The other type of flooring that has been used around the world is called Abrastop. The thing different about that system is that it uses a silicone/foam core to provide additional insulation and it replaces the traditional plywood flooring used in most cases.
http://grogangroup.com/474/flooring-systems/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JDC]

You would be correct. On some 6000 series cars, Nora flooring has been installed (the rubberized floor).
http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/P ... aseID=2068" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That same company has provided flooring for many of the NYC subway trains, as well as others around the world.
http://www.nora.com/uploads/media/Transport_us.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The other type of flooring that has been used around the world is called Abrastop. The thing different about that system is that it uses a silicone/foam core to provide additional insulation and it replaces the traditional plywood flooring used in most cases.
http://grogangroup.com/474/flooring-systems/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In my mind the flooring that has held up the best is the one shown here: http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/p ... specks.jpg. The gray ones show spilled liquids or trekked-in water very easily, or at least Metro is not cleaning those cars often enough.

[JDC]

As an update: Metro has replaced the carpet in 20 railcars so far. Photos of the process available here: https://www.facebook.com/MetroForward/p ... 4277180397

[Sand Box John]

"JDC"
As an update: Metro has replaced the carpet in 20 railcars so far. Photos of the process available here: https://www.facebook.com/MetroForward/p ... 4277180397

Thank you. I was under the assumption the floor covering material was of the sheet verity. Seems the material is composed of 3' X 3' squares. I pulled some of these squares out of a dumpster up in Baltimore last summer. The squares are just under 1/4' thick and weigh about 5 lbs each. They are susceptible to temperature changes, meaning they expanded and contract in temperature ranges of 20 degrees. This should no be an issue as it appears they are being glued to the car floors and the interior temperature of the cars don't change that much.

[JDC]

Just a casual observation: it seems that more and more often the 5000/6000 series cars that I ride in have the new non-skid flooring.

[DiscoveryAnalysis]

Process started prior to November 2013...... At the one year mark I wonder the actual progress of this project? I might go out and do a 5K/6K Blitz and see the status.

Side note: Opinions on replacing the carpet on other series (Including 1Ks since some will be in revenue until 2017) once existing inventory of carpet is depleted, with resilient flooring once flooring needs replacing?

[JDC]

Process started prior to November 2013...... At the one year mark I wonder the actual progress of this project? I might go out and do a 5K/6K Blitz and see the status.

Side note: Opinions on replacing the carpet on other series (Including 1Ks since some will be in revenue until 2017) once existing inventory of carpet is depleted, with resilient flooring once flooring needs replacing?

At first it seemed, as I noted, that every 5000/6000 series car I rode in had the new non skid flooring. More recently, I have rode in dozens of those series and NOT seen the new flooring. I wonder if the program has slowed down?

As to your side note: I don't think Metro has any plans to put ANY money into the 1000 or 4000 series cars, even if they will be retired another 3 years from now. I think they'll just use up the rest of the carpeting in the 2000 and 3000 and let the 1000 and 4000 carpets go to pieces.

[dcmike]

I don't think Metro has any plans to put ANY money into the 1000 or 4000 series cars.

You'd be surprised: there's quite a bit of money flowing in to the 4000-series cars. Here's a few of the projects currently underway..

• Event recorder installation
  Digital radio and communications system retrofit
  Air compressor synchronization project (to make all air compressors on a train start simultaneously)
  Line switch retrofit (replacing the primary 750V switches for the propulsion system)

A project just wrapped a few months ago that saw the entire 1000 series fleet receive all-new low voltage power supplies and batteries (the equipment that converts the 750VDC third rail power to 37.5VDC for auxiliary systems).

Back on topic, the flooring upgrade is among the many non-critical fleet modification projects that was temporarily suspended with the launch of the Silver Line. The spare ratio is currently insufficient to justify keeping cars out of service for non-safety related modifications. When the 7000s begin showing up early next year, these projects will start to come back on line.

[Munchabunch]

I am surprised Metro stuck with carpet for as long as they did. It's just not appropriate in places that get as much wear-and-tear as their cars get.

[JDC]

I am surprised Metro stuck with carpet for as long as they did. It's just not appropriate in places that get as much wear-and-tear as their cars get.

I think the longevity of the carpeting can be attributed to a) wanting to maintain the image of Metro as premium transportation, akin to rail and b) likely having bought a lot of carpet that they wanted to keep using and maybe c) the cost of investigating non-carpet surfaces and then implementing the final decision. Metro was supposed to have converted all 5000/6000-series cars to the non-slip surface sometime in 2015, or early 2016, but that has likely been postponed in light of all of the safety-related work needed.

[dcmike]

There hasn't been any postponement. The Norament flooring is being installed by back shop personnel who aren't involved in any safety campaigns. The schedule was just ludicrously overambitious. There's only one bay where this type of work is done and it's a very time consuming job. It's also not the only thing being done. The project also involves replacing the flawed anchor bolts that have led to a few passenger seats collapsing. Some of the cars have also been found to have problems with the subfloors that need correcting.