Lived in DC almost 80 years, and here are a few notes about Metro and weather. The underground stations were designed to give the rider the true sensation of being underground. Thus, the indirect lighting and the high ceilings without any vertical obstructions. Also, the walls were designed to be set back (away from the waiting riders and with indirect lighting) and to be coffer shaped (egg crate) for one big reason... it cut down to zero any graffiti; and that has held true since the very first station. As for the weather, DC tends to have wetter snow, and the temperature tends to always be around 30 degrees. Thus, the snow is always slippery. Not like the dry powder in other parts of the US. And with DC being built an many small hills, driving is always difficult. Add to it the cosmopolitan nature of DC with many foreign nationals unfamiliar with driving in wet snown; the city comes to a standstill. Hurry for Metro and its ability to get folks around.
I love the Breda (Breda Costruzioni Ferroviari) rail cars that Metro uses. It has a very unique ride quality to it, a unique smell, and the aerodynamic flow noises they make when roaring through the tunnels. The Washington Metro system that I grew up with was quite interesting since the Automatic Train Control wasn't fully in use (mostly operator control especially when getting calls of stopped trains ahead or switch issues which were plentiful and also some station overruns due to poor timing). There had been times on the Red Line traveling between Fort Totten and Takoma that felt as if the train were going faster than they were allowed to, and you would either get a lot of static discharging or feeling as if you would be jumping the crossover switches halfway in between the two stations (which would prompt an immediate reduction of speed.. LOL). The system, as a whole, is just amazing planning. I've told people over the years that there is NO way you can not say that you could not get anywhere in the DC Area without seeing a bus stop or station within walking distance.
I've always loved the Metro in DC. I haven't been to DC before but I've always been thought it was the best system in the USA, probably because of the speed of the train and the architecture of the stations.
More fun Metro facts: The Wheaton station has the longest escalators in the Western Hemisphere. Before Covid, the Metro was the second-busiest subway system in the US... ahead of Chicago's huge "L" system. Metro tracks are set 3" wider than the usual gauge "to reduce swaying"--so they claim. During construction, Metro created the largest ice cube in history, to stop a flood when a barrier failed. I mentioned this in another TRA comment, but it's such a cool fact. When the Metro system was being designed, WMATA surveyed subway managers all over the world, asking what they would do differently, if starting from scratch. The leading answer was NO BATHROOMS.
Love to see Calvin in DC!😁 fun fact, Arlington Cemetery and 4 other stations on the green line in MD were newly rehabilitated last summer! They feature new signs, new platforms, safety features, new tiling, elevator cladding, cleaning, and new fare gates! I worked on the project management team to close them all, strip them down to the bare concrete, and reopen in just 3 months!
Not sure how new this is but you can get a digital SmarTrip card on your phone now! I moved to DC a few months ago and I've never had a physical SmartTrip card.
the train seats used to not be blue, but yellow, orange and red. the floors were also carpeted (🤮) but metro rehabbed the trains so the interiors would look more like the 7ks.
Technically, Smithsonian has unique architecture, as it is the only station that has coffers with squared corners, while other stations have coffers with rounded corners.
Thom, since you like the look of the WMATA stations you should check out our videos. We have an HO scale subway system inspired by the Washington Metro system.
There's no guarantee that any escalator or elevator will work at any time. Just pray that it's a shorter escalator and not the longest ones in the western hemisphere.
The 2000/3000 series will be replaced with brand new 8000 series cars in 2025. The 7000 series make up 60% of the fleet. The 2000 series are the oldest cars in the fleet and for some reason Metro didn't remove carpet from the 2000 series, but did in the 3000 series
Another reason why trains are awesome video - the snow-sure makes travel an issue and at the same time it makes it all looks so pretty - I recall when I was in Ottawa, the snow was amazing for an hour and after that, it was an issue - especially my flight to Chicago being delayed for 4 hours due to ice (almost didn't make on the South West Chief my first AMTRAK long-distance experience). Thank you for the video, I have yet to experience the Washington Metro - watching your uploads means my bucket list keeps increasing. Keep up the great work - much appreciated. Stay safe this virus is making travel very dangerous Thom.
I’m glad you made it to the Chief, I think we both agree that’s an amazing train. I am not a snow fan at all, lol, people always ask me what I’m doing in Michigan. Love, I guess… Thanks for looking out for me! We’re safely home now, thank you. Wishing you health and safety too!
Only way to travel in DC. Crazy traffic. The only time I had any issues was when my Mother was in a wheelchair towards the end of her life and we had taken her to DC one last time. The arboretum and such. Well people just wouldn't let us board so I had to forcibly step into the entryway to the train and hold people up while we took a few seconds to allow my Mother to board. Outside of that, never an issue.
@@Thom-TRA I guess I was fortunate that I'm 6'2" and can be imposing when I want to be. I always try to be humble because I NEVER want to appear threatening. Always friendly and respectful. But that day I got pissed. That was my dying Mother and NOBODY was going to block her that day. I still get ticked off to this day when I see non handicapped parked in spaces designated for handicapped. But you're right, so many rude and selfish people out there.
Happy to see you in 2022 I have traveled the Metro love it, clean due to being closed near midnight to early morning. Have a wonderful year and thanks for being you.
Prior to 1991 the Berlin Metro 🚇 use to run between countries!Indeed some West Berlin lines use to run under East Berlin but you couldn't get out.Could you say you had been to the DDR if you passed through it without getting off?Bit like the debate about have you been to a certain country if you changed at an airport there but didn't go through passport control 🛂?
Some of these old escalators break down often, especially the ones that don't have a canopy to protect them from the elements. Metro is currently working on a project to replace many of these old escalators in the system with brand new more reliable escalators
The 2000/3000 series were rebuilt by Alstom in 2003-2005. Alstom also built the 6000 series. This means the 2000/3000 series are near the end of their useful lives and will have to be retired when the 8000 series arrive
In case this wasnt said in the video, it's not completely snowproof. At and over 8 inches and the outdoor stations will shut down, which is pretty rare (and only getting more so). I think it messes with the 3rd rail, but I'm not sure of the exact reasoning.
@Trains Are Awesome it was really stressful trying to work them in a crowded subway station after a Caps game. I guess I'm used to the ease of the NYC subway machines.
Metro has eliminated peak fares in June 2023. It no longer make sense post pandemic to charge extra during rush hour and makes the fare structure to complex
@3:28 Metrorail needs to upgrade their trains. I remember riding the subway as a kid with my aunt in 1987, and the train looked exactly then like it does now! I believe that we rode the train that went from Addison Road to National Airport.
I’d like to speak with the person who thought brown was the best color… That being said, they do have newer rolling stock that I enjoy riding. These have no brown and better passenger information. Unfortunately, they’re all out of service at this time. So it’s kind of a blast from the past right now.
@@Thom-TRA They're saying late July now, but who knows...the second phase of the silver line was scheduled to open in 2018, but hasn't yet. WMATA is not the best with deadlines. It's a shame really- great system, but terrible management. Hopefully the new General Manager fixes things.
They can in parts of the country that get more snow- it's just the DC airports aren't prepared for it. It's not worth building complicated snow melting runway infrastructure when we only get significant snowfall once or twice a year at most.
