First Metro Black Black

[Antozilla]

Might someone here be able to tell us the story of the first Metro fatal.  Waht happened that the train hit the wall and why was that move attempted.  Was any one disciplined?

[Tritransit Area]

From what I remember reading, it was an Orange Line train in the tunnel.  The switch reset itself in the middle of a move to the other track.  So, in effect, while the front of the car turned towards the other track (with the front wheels), the rear ones kept going straight.   The middle of the car hit the tunnel wall...effectively spliting the car.

I hope my facts are correct - you may be able to find something about it on Google.

[coneyraven]

I think it was a little different ..... when the front wheels went to the other track, the motorman realized that that was wrong, but before he could back up, the switch sprang back into straight mode, so when he backed up, the front of the train didn't go back onto the switch, it remained on the wrong track with the back of the car remaining on the proper track, thereby, splitting the car in two by the center retaining wall ... somewhere at home, I have the original articles from the post when the accident happened, I'll have to look.  It WAS an Orange Line train headed, I believe, towards New Carrollton (this was all on the switch under the National Mall between Federal Triangle and Smithsonian)

[Tritransit Area]

I think you are right, actually.  I remember reading it in the book about metro, but that was YEARS ago.

[Antozilla]

Which one, Metro at 25 or the other one?

[Tritransit Area]

It was in the other one, "The Story of Metro" or something like that.  I think it was printed in the late 80's/early 90's.  There's a picture of a Ride-On Citycruiser in there!