[PRCo] Re: METRORAIL

[John Swindler]

The problem has been identified, and the rest of the signal system is being checked.  And a manager involved with signals has been relieved, according to a recent news article.  Checking the rest of the system will make it safer.  

 

It would seem that an operator 'forgetting' how many cars are in the train is a valid reason for dismissal or transfer to buses.  Wouldn't that fall under 'fitness for duty'???  

 


 


From: alschneider2 at juno.com
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:45:41 +0000
To: pcc_sr at yahoo.com
CC: jaurelius at centurytel.net; etennyson at cox.net; rejmhj at netzero.net; j_swindler at hotmail.com; pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org; jack.may at americomm.net; gary-elaine at comcast.net; nawdry at bga.com; crvlkotula at aol.com; philgcraig204 at yahoo.com; bob.dietrich1 at verizon.net; bbente at bellsouth.net; trams2 at comcast.net; allmanr at verizon.net; shadow at dementia.org; akftrain at aol.com; miklosfrank at comcast.net; russell.jackson at stvinc.com
Subject: RE: METRORAIL


Friday Mr. Catoe stated that from then on Metro would run 1000 series cars only in the middle of trains (belly cars).  I rode one train Saturday and two today - all had a pair of 1000's at the rear end (I don't know about the front of the train).  There seems to be a consensus in this group that this would help and certainly not hurt.

Today at work I received seven identical e-mails stating that all trains would pull to the front of the platform, as demanded by the union.  It seems that sometimes operators on eight car trains forget they are eight cars long and stop where six car trains stop, opening doors inside the tunnel.  Since Metro couldn't figure out a mechanical way to prevent this, the union suggested pulling all trains to the end of the platform.  Mr. Catoe refused to allow this, but apparently caved this morning. 

I still don't understand how manual operation will prevent an accident when a relay indicated an open block when it is occupied and when the block is not visible.  Metrorail is operating manually throughout the system.  Can anyone explain the increase in safety?  This accident would have happened in manual because the operator couldn't see the stationary train in time.  Am I mistaken?

                   Alan


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