Back on June 16th, Kevin Whited noted, incredulously, that the Danger Train somehow managed to derail, run into a power pole, and rear-end another train. It was unclear if METRO PD Chief Tom Lambert found some nearby pedestrians to berate for causing the accident.
A couple of weeks later, KHOU-11 followed up with the accident investigation results. As with anything related to METRO, all we can do is shake our heads:
1. The train was speeding, going 22 mph in a 15 mph zone. The investigation notes that part of the problem is METRO had three different speed limits within an 1100 foot section of the track.
2. The report recommends that for Danger Train expansion routes that have tight curves, METRO should either widen the track or install rail guards to keep trains from derailing.
3. METRO should stop applying rail lubricant manually along curves, and instead install an automatic lubrication system. “The report found that the lubricant can dry up quickly and become ineffective in Houston’s hot summers.” Who knew?
4. METRO needs to preserve evidence after a derailment. The report noted that by the time investigators arrived five days after the accident, METRO had already begun repairs.
5. METRO has also discovered that it doesn’t have a standardized program for Danger Train instructors. After 5+ years of operation, METRO just now discovers this?
Isn’t it comforting to know that the experts in charge of 7.5 miles of downtown light rail are working on expanding it?
On a side note, The Downtown Aquarium train had a little rear-end accident last night. According to the Aquarium’s press release, the mini-train will be operating today in spite of the accident. Be careful out there!
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Train driver who smashed bicyclist had permission
RELATED: Derailment Blamed on Human Error, METRO’s Sit and Spin blog
