D.C. Metro plans to manually run trains

updated 9:06 p.m. ET June 30, 2009

WASHINGTON - Transit trains around the nation's capital could continue running manually for a year or more while Metro makes sure its automatic control system works properly following a deadly crash, the agency's general manager said Tuesday.

Nine people were killed and more than 70 injured June 22 when a moving train slammed into another train stopped on the tracks near the Maryland state line. Metro's train control system is supposed to prevent crashes and investigators are trying to determine what went wrong.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said Metro's signaling system failed to detect a test train stopped in the same place as one struck during the crash.

General Manager John Catoe said Tuesday it was unclear how long trains will operate manually, but when pressed he replied: "It could a month, a year or two years."

Catoe said crews have inspected 65 percent of the Metro's 3,000 track signals to make sure there aren't similar problems elsewhere. He said so far, none has been found.

Experts to examine signals
As an added precaution, he said a group of independent experts was being brought in to examine the rail system's signals and other equipment.

Metro also is reconfiguring its trains by putting older rail cars in the middle. The striking train, which sustained most of the damage, was made up of these 1,000-series cars dating to the 1970s.

The cars make up about a quarter of Metro's fleet, but are not as good at withstanding crashes as later models.

The NTSB has criticized Metro for failing to revamp or replace the 1000-series rail cars after previous warnings by the agency. Metro has said it lacks the money.

"We have no evidence that these 1,000-series cars contributed to the cause of the accident," Catoe said. "But I understand that the public perception may be different. Removing them from service is not practical, nor is it necessary."

All Metro trains should be reconfigured in the next few days, Catoe said.

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