[kristinn]

From WJLA TV 7:

SNIP

Catoe also said trains will not run on that section of track Tuesday. He also said all trains would run in manual mode, with the operator in control.

"Metro customers should avoid the red line from Rhode Island Avenue to Glenmont," Catoe said shortly after 9 p.m. He added there would still be shuttle bus service. The transit agency was also working on a more definitive plan for morning commuters.

Catoe declined to answer repeated questioning about whether the striking train was being operated in manual mode. He said Metro policy is to operate trains in automatic mode during peak hours.

NTSB board member Debbie Hersman said nine investigators from her office were dispatched to the scene and would be looking at whether the striking train was being operated manually, or in automatic.

"It's very early in this investigation (to determine if) previous recommendations are applicable in this instance. We are going to be looking very closely at all of the past recommendations we have issued, Metro's compliance with those recommendations, and whether or not those recommendations apply in this accident scenario.

Catoe did say the stopped train was a 5,000-series. The striking train was a 1,000-series train, the oldest in Metro's fleet. It is scheduled to begin being retired in 2012, according to the NTSB Web site.

Hersman also addressed NTSB's previous recommendations about the crash-worthiness of 1000-series trains.

"It's very early in this investigation (to determine if) previous recommendations are applicable in this instance," she said." We are going to be looking very closely at all of the past recommendations we have issued, Metro's compliance with those recommendations, and whether or not those recommendations apply in this accident scenario."

The collision happened near where New Hampshire Avenue crosses over the tracks.

SNIP

[kristinn]

Obama put out a statement tonight on the Metro accident. It took three days for him to say something about a terrorist attack on American soil that killed a U.S. soldier and wounded another, but in a matter of hours he puts out a statement on the Metro accident.

From WRC:

"Michelle and I were saddened by the terrible accident in northeast Washington, D.C., today," said President Barack Obama. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends affected by this tragedy. I want to thank the brave first responders who arrived immediately to save lives. My staff has been in touch with Mayor Fenty's office and will continue to monitor the situation."

[rockvillem]

Thanks for the info - note that Catoe refused to answer whether the train at issue was operating manually or on automatic. My suspicion is that they were in manual mode because of the earlier incident (which almost surely triggered a massive backup) and as a result somebody (one of the train operators, a dispatcher, a manager, etc.) screwed up. We shall see.