72 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

VRE Train Talk, 5:22 pm:

 

VRE trains at L'Enfant Plaza

 

ALL VRE TRAINS ARE OPERATING ON-TIME OUT OF L'ENFANT STATION.  L'Enfant Plaza Metro station temporarily closed: Green/Yellow service suspended in Downtown DC.

 

 

 

 

 

(posted here to keep all related posts in one forum)

[BillMagee]

One fatality has been confirmed.
 
Washington Post, 1/12/15:

Metro General Manager Richard Sarles said one of the passengers injured the tunnel incident has died. The woman has not been identified pending notification of next of kin, he said.

 

 

The full story is HERE.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP - 6:55 pm:

 

Metro GM: 1 person has died after L'Enfant Plaza evacuation

 

Metro’s General Manager Richard Sarles tells NBC4 that one person has died and two people are in critical condition after smoke filled a Metro train and the L’Enfant Plaza Station this afternoon.

 

Stay up to date on the latest developments with our blog: bit.ly/1u0nEyH

 

For more information visit WTOP.com or tune to 103.5 FM.

    

________________________________________

[CNJRoss]

8:15 pm - WTOP radio just reported that Blue/Orange/Silver Line service has resumed at L'Enfant Plaza.  Green/Yellow Line service remains suspended.

 

Earlier reports indicate up to 60 injured; some reports have 2 additional people in serious or crirical condition.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP email, 8:19 pm:

 

Some service restored to L'Enfant Plaza

 

L’Enfant Plaza Station has re-opened for Orange/Silver/Blue line trains only.

 

Riders can use the 7th & Maryland Avenue or the 7th & D Street entrances.

 

Get the latest updates on this developing story here: bit.ly/1u0nEyH.

[KevinKorell]

 

Metro Transit Police said that the National Transportation Safety Board would be investigating.

Is that because of the fatality, or because the NTSB is conveniently located next door?

 

Metro General Manager Richard Sarles said one of the passengers injured in the tunnel incident has died

What a way for Sarles to end his career.  He already said goodbye to the WMATA board.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA email news release, 9:07 pm:

 

Metro service update regarding L'Enfant Plaza incident

 

The following is an overview of Metrorail service as of 9 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12:

 

•   L'Enfant Plaza Station has reopened for Blue, Orange and Silver line service only. Trains on these lines have resumed normal service and are no longer bypassing the station.
•   Green Line service will remain suspended between Navy Yard and Gallery Place through the end of the service day. Shuttle bus service is being provided.
•   Yellow Line service will remain suspended between Pentagon and Gallery Place through the end of the service day. Shuttle bus service is being provided. Also, the Blue Line is a good alternative for riders traveling between Virginia and DC.

 

Service impacts are possible on the Green and Yellow lines tomorrow. Riders are advised to check wmata.com prior to traveling.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board is on scene at L'Enfant Plaza conducting an investigation. Any information regarding today's incident will be released at the discretion of the NTSB as appropriate.

[CNJRoss]

 

 

Metro Transit Police said that the National Transportation Safety Board would be investigating.

Is that because of the fatality, or because the NTSB is conveniently located next door

I have not seen any indication that an NTSB "Go Team" has launched; this is apparently an NTSB regional office investigation.  I have noticed a tendancy over the past few years reserve a "Go Team" only for the most significant accidents thus minimizing the "drama" created by a full blown NTSB response. 

 

The NTSB investigates accidents when the the lessons learned will help make a safety difference.  This accident seems to fit that mold.

 

Reasons I see for the investigation:

 

1.  What caused the fire; could it have been prevented. 

 

2.  The long delay in locating source is of concern and most likely contributed to severity of smoke.  (Basic firefighting - get to the source.)

 

3.  What series car is involved?  Is their a "class" problem that needs to be addressed?  

 

4.  Was there a delay in determining that a train was involved; all early reports only indicated smoke in the station.

 

5.  Evacuation delay/duration;  there were reports that train evacuation was delayed and not completed for more than an hour after the initial alarm (the train was approx. 150' from the platform) - there are also reports that the station emergency exit signs were not visible in the smoke making evacuation difficult.

 

6.  Tunnel Ventilation -  was it used in a timely and effective manner?

 

7.  Emergency Responder Communications in the tunnel; this has been a problem for the DCFD in the past; NTSB can now look to see if the issue is really resolved

 

8,  Did any of the above contribute to the fatality.

 

There are likely many more questions that need answers. 

 

Ross

[KevinKorell]

L'Enfant Plaza is one of a few downtown junction stations with platforms on multiple levels.  Granted the incident was on the Green/Yellow tracks, but apparently the smoke conditions were not as bad on the Silver/Orange/Blue tracks as they were able to first resume service without stopping, and then could return to normal operations even as investigations continued with the Green/Yellow Lines.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release, 1/12 10:44 pm:

 

Metrorail service information for Tuesday, January 13

 

Metro is advising rail customers of the following service changes for Tuesday, January 13, following today's incident at L'Enfant Plaza:

 

All Yellow Line service will be replaced with additional Blue Line trains operating between Huntington and Largo Town Center, via Rosslyn. Trains on this route will depart every 12 minutes. Use Green Line trains for service between Greenbelt and Downtown DC.

 

Blue Line trains between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center will operate every 12 minutes.

 

Orange Line trains will run every 8 minutes between Vienna and New Carrollton.

 

Silver Line trains will run every 12 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Largo Town Center, with many trains expanded to 8-cars long to provide additional capacity.

 

Green Line

• The best-case scenario for the Green Line is that a single track will be available for rail service. If a single track is available, Green Line trains will run between Greenbelt and Branch Ave every 8-10 minutes.
• If the track is not available in the morning, then rail service will remain suspended on the Green Line between Navy Yard and Gallery Place. Under this scenario, trains would run between Greenbelt and Gallery Place every 8 minutes, and trains between Branch Ave and Navy Yard would run every 8 minutes. Free shuttle bus service would be provided operate between Navy Yard and Gallery Place, making intermediate stops at Waterfront, L'Enfant Plaza and Archives. (Archives and Waterfront stations would be closed; L'Enfant Plaza would be open for Silver, Orange and Blue line service only.)

Red Line service is unaffected and will operate on a regular weekday schedule.

 

Regular Metrobus and Circulator bus service may provide a good alternate travel option for some riders. To check, use the Trip Planner at wmata.com and select the "bus only" option.