Comments on: Did Tax Shelter Keep Old Metro Cars in Service?: Loose Lips Daily

By: Kwame in the News: Eastern Market Reopens :The WE District

Kwame in the News: Eastern Market Reopens :The WE District — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:21:52 +0000

[...] June 26 - Loose Lips Daily [...]

By: Mike DeBonis

Mike DeBonis — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:15:29 +0000

Read p.56 of the NTSB report on the 2004 Woodley Park crash: http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2006/RAR0601.pdf

Then and now (and in the 1996 Shady Grove crash), the 1000-series car's collision posts failed, the car shredded upon impact, rendering 'anti-climbers' useless, and thus crushing 'survivable space.' Even at speeds of 50 mph-plus, it simply shouldn't have done that. The NTSB after the crash said after Monday;s crash they were concerned about this.

We will not know for months, but this could have meant the difference between two or three killed and nine killed.

By: The DC Informer–Washington D.C. News and Comment » This Is Why They Say Money Is The Root Of All Evil

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:04:29 +0000

[...] Hat-tip: Washington City Paper City Desk Blog [...]

By: just sayin

just sayin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:01:02 +0000

I don't know that there would have been any fewer fatalities if other series cars collided at 50MPH+. It now looks like the problem was a faulty detector in the tracks.

By: KCinDC

KCinDC — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:55:25 +0000

Erik, I don't think the motors are what people are concerned about.

By: Erik G.

Erik G. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:33:46 +0000

The 100-series Rohr cars were completely rebuilt with new components and motors from 1993 to 1996 by Breda. They are not truly "30 years old", but instead are effectively only 13 to 16 years old.

And while you scrutinize the crash-worthiness of the 1000-series, don't think that all of the more recent additions to the WMATA fleet would have truly fared any better in such a crash.