MARC managers answer to Stuck On MARC

MARC Train Director John Hovatter gave me about 20 minutes of his time toward the end of the three hour 'Meet the MARC Managers" session at Union Station this evening. I'll post more on our discussion - about the delayed diesel engines, new security program, stimulus funded system upgrades- later but for now I want to tell you what he said about today's MARC meltdown on the Penn Line (my morning train arrived 25 minutes late and my 6:40pm return was cancelled).

An Amtrak train pulled down a sagging overhead wire about 3:15 this afternoon, which in turn disabled the train and only left one free track for both north and south-bound Amtrak and MARC trains. At the time MTA warned of 10 to 30 minute delays on all Penn Line trains. Over four hours later- despite the cancellation of the earlier train- the 7:40 is running about 15 minutes behind schedule.

Director Hovatter's only explanation was it's "one of those things that happen," and "it could have happened anywhere." He said that Amtrak would repair the overhead line that snagged the train and caused a domino effect of problems by tomorrow. The repair isn't symptomatic of a line system in need of replacement. The fix is "not a big deal" Hovatter said.

What's a big deal is the anguish caused to riders, one of whom cursed MARC personnel on my delayed train tonight, calling them "jack#*(:!" with "substandard IQs. In defense of MARC personnel, the managers handled an irate crowd tonight with patience and Hovatter was fairly well informed on most issues, though he refused to let me tape record our conversation and I had to push him to expound upon vague answers to my questions.

Check back soon for more answers from the MARC director to questions posed by Stuck on MARC.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Union Station security delays explained

Either Vice President Joe Biden or his wife Jill are responsible for the occasional "security hold" delays out of Union Station, said MTA MARC Train Director John Hovatter.

Here's the notice MTA sent out yesterday- Oct. 28- around 6:30.

"Camden: Marc 852 is operating approx 15 mins late due to a security hold in Union Station."

I wonder if there's a similar hold on the other end in Delaware. It's pretty cool and true to Biden's blue collar creds that the second couple still uses public transportation.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Will more delays mean increased safety?

MTA Police announced a new security program for MARC stations to start this Friday. The announcement also warns passengers to plan for delays (maybe police could coordinate with dispatchers and screen people when trains are running 10-20 minutes late). I have a number of questions about this announcement: Why now? Why doesn't MARC inspect tickets before passengers board trains (as Amtrak does) to increase safety? How do we know the searches will be random and won't become profiling? Will the searches cause more delays on an already problematic system? I'm going to try to make the meeting with MARC managers this Thursday evening so I'll see if they can answer any of my questions.

Police Security Checkpoints at MARC Stations

Random Security Checks Planned for MARC Stations:
Customers Urged To Allow For Extra Time

BALTIMORE, MD (October 26, 2009) – Focused on enhancing security at MARC commuter rail stations along the Penn, Camden and Brunswick Lines, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) police in partnership with security and canine teams from the Maryland Transportation Authority and the Transit Security Administration will begin random security screenings at stations beginning October 30, 2009. Screenings can potentially involve the check of luggage, packages, or other carry-on items customers may have in their possession. While every effort will be made to conduct the security checks in a timely fashion, customers should be prepared that extra time may be required to board their train.

“The MTA continually engages in methods of ensuring customer safety and system preservation,” said Lt. Colonel John E. Gavrilis, Acting Chief of Police. “These exercises underscore our commitment to the safety and security of our customers and systems. If you hear, see or smell something suspicious, call 1-800-492-TIPS (8477). ”

The MTA police thank customers for their patience and cooperation as the agency works to enhance security throughout the MARC system.


October 26, 2009 1:30 PM

Dresser details morning meltdown on MARC

The Sun's intrepid transportation reporter, Michael Dresser, has two detailed blog posts on this morning's MARC fiasco. The first catalogues delays and cancellations on the Penn and Camden lines, which caused my train (Penn's #415) to arrive in DC about 15 minutes late.

Dresser's second post is unusual in that it brings some good news about the beleaguered MARC, however qualified. He reports that the newly rehabbed electric locomotives are not at fault for this morning's problems, rather there was a failure of the electric signal system from one of the cabs.

Dresser also breaks down some of the mechanics of the commuter trains, i.e. how a front and rear locomotive work together to pull and push a full train to its destination. I'd love another explainer, from Dresser or some other informed individual, about why MARC frequently needs to swap out engines from trains that frequently travel between DC and Baltimore.

Another system-wide outage

How apropos given today's problems.

MARC Commuters: The MARC Tracker system is currently down with a power issue to the main server.

October 19, 2009 4:50 PM

Update on a.m. delays

Penn Line 7:40 departure from Baltimore arrived in DC 30 minutes behind schedule. Upon arrival the conductor said that the power outage delayed the entire northeast corridor. I'd say today's problems provide further evidence that the infrsatructure sorely needs updating.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Nightmare avoided

System is back up and running. We're headed to DC, about 30 minutes behind schedule.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Major substation down

Initial diagnosis of the problem on the Penn Line was wrong, the conductor has just informed us that the entire substation that powers the grid between Washington and Perryville has gone down. There was no failure of catinary system. No word on how long we'll be sitting here.

Side note: I just heard a commuter say, "There should be pills for commuter stress."
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Penn trains stuck in W. Baltimore

The 7:40 deparure from Penn Station is being held until further notice in W. Baltimore because there are catinary(sp?) problems. An engineer walking around the train in a hard hat just explained to me that there's been a failure of the catinary system or the overhead lines that electric trains need to run on and all electric trains have been stopped on the Penn Line. (Diesel trains are not effected.) The engineer explained that the lines are made of copper and when it's really hot or cold they expand and contract and mess up the system (something about a clip coming loose and wires hanging out of place).

"Length of delay at this time is not known," conductor has just informed us.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Penn delayed again

Not on a Friday! Penn Line train #440 (6:40 departure from Union Station) is delayed 15 minutes. The train is in the station but it needs a new engine according to a MARC official. This situation is a repeat of last night. What happened to the old engine? Does it only have a one-way Baltimore to DC lifespan?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fw: Update on Penn Line

Camden's 6:43 left only 2 minutes behind schedule...I didn't stick around to see how late the Penn line would run.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: stuckonmarc@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:48:59
To: Stuckonmarc<stuckonmarc.10minslate@blogger.com>
Subject: Update on Penn Line

6:40 from Union Station is delayed, a Marc official said he couldn't give an ETD because the train's not even at the station yet and once it arrives the engine has to be swapped out. It's unclear whether the Camden Line (6:43 departure) will leave on time as it's still not in the station yet.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Update on Penn Line

6:40 from Union Station is delayed, a Marc official said he couldn't give an ETD because the train's not even at the station yet and once it arrives the engine has to be swapped out. It's unclear whether the Camden Line (6:43 departure) will leave on time as it's still not in the station yet.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fw: MTA: MARC Tracker System is back on line and operating properly.

We'll have to see about that...
------Original Message------
From: Maryland Transit Administration
To: stuckonmarc@gmail.com
Subject: MTA: MARC Tracker System is back on line and operating properly.
Sent: Oct 15, 2009 8:15 AM

MARC Tracker System is back on line and operating properly.

October 15, 2009 8:12 AM

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fw: MTA: The MARC Tracker System is temporarily unavailable. We are working toget it back on line ASAP

This implies that, at some point, it was working.

------Original Message------
From: Maryland Transit Administration
To: stuckonmarc@gmail.com
Subject: MTA: The MARC Tracker System is temporarily unavailable. We are working toget it back on line ASAP
Sent: Oct 15, 2009 6:01 AM

ALL MARC COMMUTERS: The MARC Tracker System is temporarily unavailable. We are working to get it back on line ASAP.

October 15, 2009 5:58 AM

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

'You got good boots...'

'That makes my job easy,' said Carlos, the shoe shiner at Penn Station. Five minutes and eight dollars bought me a professional shine that has my brown leather boots looking like new. Try out Carlos' chair sometime if your shoes are scuffed and you have time to burn while awaiting a delayed train (this morning it's the 7:40 to DC).
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

More Dresser on returned locomotives

In case you haven't read it yet, here's the link to Dresser's article in today's Sun about four rehabbed locomotives that are back home at Penn Station. Back but not in service. An MTA spokesman tells Dresser that the engines need to undergo a few more rounds of tests before they're put to work, hopefully as early as next week. The spokesman also tells dresser that "MTA expects to deploy the first two new diesel engines by the end of this year and to add two per month next year." Let's all keep our fingers crossed...

Early

Tonight, for the first time since I started taking it in June 2008, the 440 was three minutes early getting into Baltimore!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines?

The Sun's Dresser has a cautious blog post about the possible return of two electric MARC locomotives. He quotes an Amtrak spokesman reporting that after three years in a repair shop in Delaware, the locomotives may return home to Maryland by the end of the year. The returned locomotives could alleviate crowding and delays, Dresser says. Check out tomorrow's Sun for more details.

MARC conducter keeps me honest

My boyfriend and I try to ride our bikes to work (well partway for me as I bike from my house in Fell's to Penn Station and then take the Penn Line to DC) at least three times a week. When I bike to work I wear gym clothes and change at the office. A friendly Penn Line conductor noticed and inquired about why I'm sometimes in slacks and other times wearing sweats. He gave me kudos on doing the 20-minute ride - with hills.

But now he's keeping me honest. This morning, when I showed up in a silk skirt and flats, he shot me a disapproving look. I explained that we'd done the 40-mile Tour du Port yesterday and my thighs were still aching.

"Forty miles? Then the 20 minutes should have been easy," was his retort. Thanks to the conductor I've got someone to keep me from resorting to laziness in the mornings.