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HCMTA/Faulty rail axle counters to be fixed -- some closures expected


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#1 KevinKorell

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Posted 24 October 2016 - 10:02 PM

Press release from Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County:
 
 

 

METRO Contractor Presents Plan to Fix Faulty Rail Axle Counters

 
METRO has been provided a plan by contractor Houston Rapid Transit (HRT) to immediately begin addressing a mechanical issue that has slowed the Authority's rail service at times, creating a headache for operations and riders of the three-line METRORail system and drivers at rail crossings.
 
Click here for some video examples of what drivers have encountered as a result of malfunctions along METRO's newest rail lines.
 
The repairs scheduled for Green, and Purple and Red Line extension (Northline) axle counters follow months of study and workarounds on malfunctioning hardware which often triggers a false report of a train occupying a portion of track when no rail car is present. Siemens, the manufacturer of the component, had been unable to remedy the issue since it began surfacing in 2014 on the newly opened rail lines. 
 
"We are relieved and hopeful that the situation will be resolved in the next several months. With the work scheduled to begin immediately, and a good result expected from the new Frauscher product, we are ready to move forward," said METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert. "This has been very frustrating for METRO operations, safety folks and, most importantly, for drivers and riders who are not happy with delays in train traffic and malfunctioning gates."    
 
Fixing the issue means replacing the axle counters. The new units have proven workable but their installation will require temporary closures and disruption of rail schedules on the Purple and Green Lines as well as a portion (north of Burnett Station) on the Red Line.  
 
Buses will be used to transport rail passengers during track closures. The work, which occurs over the next several months, extends through May 2017 and will not cause closures during Super Bowl, Houston Livestock and Rodeo, pro and college football and other major scheduled events.
 
"We will be making announcements well in advance of any shutdowns that may occur during the week or on weekends. Now that we have a fix we are instituting it," said Lambert. 
 
HRT is picking up the cost of replacing the units. 

 



Kevin Korell


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#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 November 2016 - 09:35 AM

Progressive Railroading, 11/4:

 
Houston transit agency to replace faulty axle counters
g49981-Houston-METRO-crossing.jpg
The malfunctioning axle counters caused crossing gates to lower when no trains were present, leading to delays on local roads. Photo – METRO

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) in Texas tonight will temporarily close portions of the Red, Green and Purple light-rail lines to replace malfunctioning axle counters that have caused train delays.

Service interruptions will begin tonight, with regular service on the Red Line resuming Nov. 7. Service will be restored on the Green and Purple lines Nov. 12, agency officials said in a press release.

 

 

Continue here.

 

Press Release - Red Line

Press Release - Green & Purple Lines



#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 08 November 2016 - 11:53 AM

HCMTA news release:

 

Early Completion of Signal Work Allows Rail Service to Resume

11/07/2016 08:00 PM CST

 

 

METRORail's Green and Purple Lines are returning to normal service four days ahead of schedule thanks to the hard work of crews. The extra effort will pay off with the entire three-line METRORail system completely open for normal revenue service beginning at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016.

The closures were necessary to implement the signal improvement work after axle counter malfunctions slowed METRORail service and increased travel time for drivers at rail crossings. Further work on the signals will continue next week. 

Plan your trip at www.ridemetro.org






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