Railroad Forums 

  • WMATA - 3000-series train collision on Oct. 7, 2019

  • Discussion related to DC area passenger rail services from Northern Virginia to Baltimore, MD. Includes Light Rail and Baltimore Subway.
Discussion related to DC area passenger rail services from Northern Virginia to Baltimore, MD. Includes Light Rail and Baltimore Subway.

Moderators: mtuandrew, therock, Robert Paniagua

 #1521831  by JDC
 
Breaking:

Per WMATA, "Metro is investigating an overnight rear-end collision involving two out-of-service trains that were in the process of being moved to their respective rail yards. The incident occurred at approximately 12:54 a.m. between Foggy Bottom and Farragut West stations. The trains, each comprised of six 3000-series cars, were traveling in the same direction (eastbound) on the same track. There were no passengers aboard either train."

Metro service is currently operating at 15-minute intervals during morning rush hour to accommodate the investigation.

https://www.wmata.com/about/news/farw-1 ... in-content
 #1521839  by davinp
 
The train operator was treated at the hospital for non-life threating injuries

Metro notified the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission and the National Transportation Safety Board as required.
 #1521941  by JDC
 
Metro has posted its preliminary findings. https://www.wmata.com/about/news/farw-2.cfm

Takeaway: "While Metro has not yet identified the root cause of the incident, investigators have found no evidence of a signal system failure and have ruled out “loss of shunt” as a cause. Data analysis shows that all trains in the area were properly detected by the signal system, and appropriate speed commands were sent to the trains to maintain safe spacing."
 #1521984  by Sand Box John
 
There are seals on circuit breakers that disable various automatic train protection subsystem. One of them disables over speed protection, When enabled trains are restricted to no more then 15 MPH when no speed commands are present.