It now appears according to reports that there are conflicting stories about whether the operator of the red line commuter train in Washington D.C. on June 22, 2009 attempted to apply the emergency brakes before the crash near the Fort Totten station. According to investigators, the operator had pushed the emergency brake button and the railroad tracks showed signs of the brakes having been engaged. The investigation also revealed that the striking train was being run in the automatic mode. According to experts, this should have prevented the accident because the automatic mode controls speed and causes a train to stop before getting too close to a train in front of it. The preliminary investigation also suggests that the first two cars of the Metro train involved in the collision were overdue for brake maintenance. The investigation now appears to be including whether the train operator failed to engage the brakes early enough, whether the computer system malfunctioned and whether the striking train actually ever did slow down before the collision. A review of the maintenance records of the involved trains has also been undertaken to determine just how current maintenance on the train braking system and computer system was. The computer system was supposed to be failsafe because it supposedly controlled the speed of the train, recognized when the train was catching up to another train and recognized when brakes needed to be applied and did so automatically.

 

The relays of the signal system for the train were manufactured by Alstom Signaling apparently. Because of known problems with the relays, the manufacturer had apparently consented to replacing them. There are known problems of sticking or failing of the relay systems, especially those manufactured between 1960-1985 by General Railway Signal who sold to Alstom Signaling in 1998. Apparently, the Federal Railroad Administration issued a safety warning concerning the relays so Metro was on notice of this issue long before the crash in this case.

 

It is important that any injured party in this accident be selective in choosing an attorney. Be careful that the attorney has the experience and knowledge to represent the client on such a large and complex claim. Be especially careful of any attorney who makes direct contact with an injured person in the Metro crash as that is most likely inappropriate.