Agency, oversight group looking into pattern of railyard problems A Metro train plugged into a train shop pulled out while its power cord was still plugged in, damaging both the cord and the train, the latest problem to occur in the transit agency’s rail yards.
The incident was not serious, as no one was injured and the damage did not force the train out of service, according to Metro. Matt Bassett, chairman of the Tri-State Oversight Committee charged with monitoring Metro’s safety, acknowledged that such an incident normally wouldn’t have risen to his group’s attention.
But it came after a series of incidents in rail yards. On their own, they represent safety problems with the potential for damage or injuries. Together, the cases represent a pattern as the agency has been trying to turn around its checkered safety record.
The independent oversight committee had been looking into the broader problem before Thursday’s incident, Bassett said. It is wrapping up a study this month of how well Metro is complying with its own rules in its rail yards.
“There are areas where they are really doing the right thing, where they are really strong,” Bassett said. “They need to be more consistent with their implementation.”
The incident happened about 7:20 p.m. in the Alexandria rail yard, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said. A pair of rail cars used to collect revenue throughout the system were in the shop for work. The train operator did not walk around the train as required before she pulled out of the shop, and left the train plugged in, Stessel said.
Managers noticed quickly and stopped the train, he said. But the damage was done.
The train operator and shop supervisors are on paid leave while the case is being investigated, he said. The agency is looking into disciplinary action, he said.
In March, the oversight committee told Metro it was concerned about several low-speed collisions that occurred in the rail yards since December. A committee report said the rail yard crashes “emphasize a problem with rule compliance.”
Since then at least five Metro vehicles have run red signals in rail yards, including on Thursday morning when a track equipment vehicle ran a red signal in the Alexandria rail yard. On Memorial Day weekend, a train derailed in another rail yard.
No one has been reported hurt in the incidents and none of the vehicles had passengers on them.
Most of the employees involved in recent violations received unpaid suspensions of at least five days, Stessel said, but one was suspended for 20 days without pay. Another was fired, he said.
Stessel said the highest levels of management are looking into the problems. “We are absolutely focused on what goes on in rail yards to ensure operating rules are complied with,” he said.
Metro is considering increasing the length of minimum suspensions when operators violate red signals, he said. The agency is also looking into adding another layer of management in watchtowers at rail yards at night, when the yards are busiest.
