[Rescue Muni] Re: Signal Failure on Sunday
Peter D. Ehrlich (norcalrr@sprynet.com)
Mon, 12 Oct 1998 16:50:20 -0700
>
>From: Max Pong <pong2@llnl.gov>
>Subject: Sunday Metro Problem
>Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 12:47:01 -0700 (PDT)
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>The ATCS failed on Sunday and trains were run on manual control. What
>exactly does this mean? Is the pre-ATCS signal system used or does the
>Alcatel system have a manual mode? What is train capacity per hour in the
>manual mode? Was coupling of cars performed Sunday to alleviate subway
>overcrowding?
>
Well, Max, I worked the N-Judah yesterday, and it was without a doubt the
worst signal failure ever to occur on a weekend day. The failure was in
the signal interlocking system at Van Ness interlocking. There was nothing
wrong with the switches, they were fine. It's just that they couldn't get
the signals to confirm that the switches were properly aligned. In the
morning, the CCO (Central Control Operator) had to contact each and every
train to proceed through the signal displaying stop indication at
restricted speed. Finally, everyone at Central threw up their hands and
put the system into conventional (pre-ATCS) mode with all trains running in
cutout mode with their ATCS-1 (Breda) or PSU (Boeing) circuit breakers
turned off. Boeings, of course, fell back to the old cab signal system,
but Bredas had to operate in full cutout--no more than 27mph. (We fudged
that.) As a rule, cars do not couple on weekend days unless directed by
proper authority, but occasionally compatible "tunnel" trains would couple
at West Portal. After 230pm, use of the MMT was discontinued and the old
Embarcadero west x-overs were used by all non-Caltrain Depot-bound trains.
So we had a big backup going inbound.
At 230, an outbound train at Van Ness had a "no brake release" further
messing up the subway.
As far as the schedule was concerned, it was out the window all day.
I am curious to know if they were able to fix the signals at Van Ness. I
am not completely convinced that this signal failure was ATCS-related, but
it sure made a mess.
Peter Ehrlich
F-Line Operator
Green Light Rail Division
<norcalrr@sprynet.com>