Comments on The evolution of Metrorail, 1976-2010 - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Dave Murphy

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:24:59 EDT

Is there going to be an update with the new rush hour services being rolled out in June?

Comment by David Miller

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:21:09 EDT

This is amazing! I've been looking for something like this for a long time... outstanding work! I want to make a documentary on the creation of the Metro. This is going to help a lot!

Comment by Jim Jordan

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:00:15 EDT

I just discovered your website and you are doing a good job.

I like your urban planning approach and note that your reading list is on track. I have been thinking urban planning and livability for 50 years and believe that we have a lot of common interests. I am orange line from Falls Church and think constantly about the next generation of public transit and the organization of the transit to fit the current and future communities. I am an advocate of the quiet, friction free superconducting Maglev system, invented in this country by my colleagues, Drs. James Powell and Gordon Danby. Their system was developed by Japan and holds the worlds speed record for transport. Powell and Danby's 2nd generation system is even better, their new 4-pole magnets are powerful enough to lift trucks (allowing a lot of deliveries to be made during the night and unclog our roadways. The system guideways are spectacular. The new system operates in a planar mode and can operate on conventional RR trackage that has been adapted for Maglev for ~$6 million a 2-way mile. This capability also allows the system to uniquely electronically switch allowing flexibility in station spacing and operating express routes on the mainline trackage.

This is the inevitable system for the 21st Century and if you think there is interest in planning a 2nd generation superconducting Maglev evolution of the Washington Metro let me know and we would do a plan for WMATA so that the authority would have some idea of what it would cost and how much they would save in operating costs due to much lower electric power requirements and much lower track maintenance costs. Another super advantage of the system is that it could be integrated with a high-speed national Maglev Network. You could catch a Maglev vehicle at any metro station and if there are enough passengers the vehicles could proceed to a destination anywhere in the country at 300 mph, once the vehicles joined the elevated high speed guideway. Or at any of the existing multimodal hubs ultra high speed Maglev service could be connected to the Interstate system. Thanks for the great Website. I signed up and hope that we can continue to blog on this issue. James Jordan, President Interstate Maglev Project and Executive VP of MAGLEV2000.

Comment by Jim Jordan

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 19:04:08 EDT

I just discovered your website and you are doing a good job.

This is the inevitable system for the 21st Century and if you think there is interests in planning a 2nd generation superconducting Maglev evolution of the Washington Metro let me know and we would do a plan for WMATA so that the authority would have some idea of what it would cost and how much they would save in operating costs due to much lower electric power requirements and much lower track maintenance costs. Another super advantage of the system is that it could be integrated with a high-speed national Maglev Network. You could catch a Maglev vehicle at any metro station and if there are enough passengers the vehicles could proceed to a destination anywhere in the country at 300 mph, once the vehicles joined the elevated high speed guideway. Or at any of the existing multimodal hubs ultra high speed Maglev service could be connected to the Interstate system. Thanks for the great Website. I signed up and hope that we can continue to blog on this issue. James Jordan, President Interstate Maglev Project and Excutive VP of MAGLEV2000.

Comment by Froggie

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:21:46 EDT

Wouldn't mind seeing the maps that show a separate Springfield station...

Comment by coneyraven

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 09:42:21 EDT

@Phil --- Those maps were out in 1986 ... I have a couple of them (one framed) --- after your comment, I took a look at it to find the date ... I believe the reason for it goes back to when Huntington opened as Yellow (which was supposed to be a temporary measure due to a car shortage -- it was originally to be Blue) --Franconia was always supposed to be Yellow, that is, until Van Dorn opened as Blue, and stayed that way -- on a side note, in the early days (after the Burke alignment was eliminated), the terminus was to be simply, Franconia, with a seperate Springfield station just outside the beltway along the line -- this was on the maps in the late 70's -- along about the time of the Silver Spring extension opening in '78

Comment by Phil Duff

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:31:38 EDT

I remember the maps for years showed Franconia-Springfield as a second yellow spur terminus at that end, but then it opened as the Blue terminus.

Comment by coneyraven

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:50:31 EDT

@ David --- SB John is right, for example, the alignment that now holds the W. Hyattsville station was (correct me if I'm wrong John) supposed to be further north than the current alignment with a station at Chillum --- or the classic southern Green Line debacle with the original Branch Ave alignment, then a Rosecroft alignment, then the compromise to the current one.
@ Vinny, very impressive, I'd love to see what you have ... I've been one of the lucky ones to have acquired a roll sign from a Rohr Car ... definitely the prize of my collection, that and the system map showing the alignment to Rosecroft (Green Line)

Comment by vinny

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:46:51 EDT

I came from NYCTA in 1974 to help get our Metro started. I worked for Rohr, 74-78 getting the original 296 cars tested and accepted in Brentwood and the 4.5 original miles of track.. Four cars went to Pueblo Colo for DOT testing and came to DC in 78/79.
I was at the RI Ave dedication, 03-27-76 and on the 1st regular revenue train in service on Monday.
I still have the original System map from 1972. I've also kept all my work notebooks since July 24, 1974. it's been fun and sad at times.

Comment by Shipsa01

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:18:16 EDT

Was reading another post and got bored with the perpetual megalomania "for and against streetcars" convo so I thought I would check out the "Metro evolution map" for the first time since February. Have you thought about adding the Silver Line to the map sometime?

Comment by David Alpert

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:16:08 EDT

Sand Box John: That's true. I didn't have that information. If you want to provide me with a list I can try to make such a map at some point.

Comment by Sand Box John

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:01:13 EDT

David,
Your slideshow shows the evolution of what was actually built and the service that was implemented.

What your slideshow fails to show is the evolution of the alignment changes, additions, subtraction and how the service that exists today differers from what was shown on the system map when Phase I opened on 03 27 1976.

Comment by JasonP

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:12:13 EDT

@kk: Good point. It's only conjecture on my part, but I foresee the Purple Line, in the form of an on-road light rail as it's now being planned, being more like a speedier Metrobus---different / non-seamless fare system (unless one is using a SmarTrip card).

Comment by kk

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:32:03 EDT

The purple line should not be apart of the metrorail system if it can not fully function seamlessly within the current system.

If the purple line consist of people going outside and leaving stations to transfer to either the red, green or orange lines than it should not be a line since it is inherently different from the others; if its transfer points are like other typical metrostations (Le'Enfant Plaza, Ft. Totten, Gallery place, Metro Center)than it should be considered a line.

Comment by Dave

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:34:25 EDT

Gavin, MTA will be 100% responsible for building the Purple Line. Once that is finished, it's up to MTA decide who to runs it -- I read that it's likely MTA will contract out to Metro.

Comment by Gavin Baker

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:30:24 EDT

I thought the Purple Line will be run by MTA, not Metro.

Comment by Fritz

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:19:05 EDT

The Purple Line would only be speculation as they don't have assured funding.

Comment by Jasonp

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:30:51 EDT

David, would it be possible to include the planned Purple Line in this timeline as well?

Comment by coneyraven

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:43:32 EDT

Reza,

Interesting that you mention the maps that showed the entire system (finished and planned) --- Remember in the 80's when the southern branch of the Green Line was, for a time, planned to go outside the beltway to Rosecroft? Those maps weren't up for too long.

Comment by Reza

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:35:26 EDT

An interesting thing that I'm not sure other people have thought of:

The Metro system has always been shown in its entirety, even when lines were merely planned or their routing was still up in the air (think Green Line in the 80s), the system map still showed those lines and stations, just in a way to convey that they were not operational.

This slideshow shows the system as it expanded from its conception, without the distraction of the yet-to-be finished segments. Truly an evolution to behold.

Comment by JasonP

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:16:46 EDT

Fantastic work, David! Thanks for doing this!

Comment by Jasper

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:45:58 EDT

Signed and submitted.

Comment by David Alpert

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:45:48 EDT

Jasper, Jimmy, Jesse etc: CSG has fixed the petition. You now can sign without having to sign up for any email lists if you don't want to. Thanks for flagging this issue.

I would still encourage everyone to sign up for their general list; they send out very important action alerts, and not too frequently.

Comment by Jasper

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:43:55 EDT

Too bad you can't sign up for the petition without allow CSG to SPAM you. Dumb move. Lost a vote right there and then.

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Comment by Jasper

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:47:40 EDT

Awesome map.

Comment by anonymiss

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:44:02 EDT

I live in NYC. It's so freaking EXCITING to see a subway system that's actually grown since, I dunno, 1973.

More subways! Everywhere!

Comment by Lib

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:07:42 EDT

Great for nostalgia- I remember my first trip on Metro- a junior high field trip - from Silver Spring to DC, accessed via a Ride-On bus (from White Flint). Circa 1978.

Comment by Dave

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:01:53 EDT

Speaking of Greenbelt Commuter Shortcut -- I've been told by many people they wish Metro still operates that Shortcut during rush hours. Is it possible for Metro to operate both Green Line and Green Shortcut Line same time? At least, it'll help relieve the pressure on Red Line between Brookland/Rhodes Island/NY Ave and Dupont Circle.

Also, did DC Government or Metro ever consider one time having a garage build at Rhodes Island and/or New York/Florida Ave? Because so many commuters from Maryland could take the Metro to/from work.

Comment by Gavin Baker

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:20:16 EDT

Or you could just sign it with a throwaway email address (e.g. from mailinator.com). Or copy the text and send a letter on your own. Don't let your beef with CSG's form stop you from contacting your representatives about this.

Comment by David Alpert

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:11:22 EDT

I've contacted them to see if they can remove that. I suspect it's an error. They switched backend systems after that petition was first created.

Comment by Jimmy

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:02:49 EDT

Yeah. I was ready to sign the petition, but they lost me signature by trying to require me to sign up for email alerts.

Comment by Jesse

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:43:42 EDT

For some reason, you're not allowed to sign the linked petition without signing up for email alerts. They made that a 'required field'.

bah.

Comment by ccort

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:32:53 EDT

Fantastic slide show. Having made it to work on the truncated snowpocalypse Red line schedule, now I'm worried about getting home. Unimaginable to think our region would abandon fully funding our transit system after building it. We need to make better choices with limited resources - fund Metro rather than the ICC and the laundry list of road expansions!

Comment by Unsuck DC Metro

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:25:27 EDT

Cool map.

A petition that only calls for more money and completely ignores the need for better management, better customer service and better communication with the riding public is weak.

Comment by Shawn

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:41:04 EDT

One of the coolest posts I have seen on this site! It's crazy there was a 6 year gap in building the inner green line segment by which I currently live.

Comment by Neil Flanagan

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:12:16 EDT

Quite cool.

Comment by Reza

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:30:49 EDT

I thought Green Line service on severe snow days went only as far north as Georgia Ave?

Comment by stacy

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:59:26 EDT

This is amazing! Thank you for putting it together. It's incredible to see how recent some of the development I take for granted really is.

It would be really cool to overlay each slide of this with some sort of economic development metric (average rent/home sale prices? per capita income? sales tax revenue?) to see how neighborhoods with metro stations compare to those without.

Comment by Gavin Baker

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:54:19 EDT

I know it's hard to think about the future in these tough budget times, but it's a shame that our current maps don't show any "future stations". Since the map is such a notional representation of Metro, showing planned service gives riders something to aspire to, rather than the current image of Metro as completed and static.

Comment by Dee

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:50:21 EDT

Thanks for sharing this! It is nice to be able to show the out-of-towners what an impact this really has had!

Comment by Cyrus

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:32:18 EDT

Metro will be in a perpetual state of crisis so long as it: (1) does not have a dedicated portion of each jurisdictions sales tax (2) stays in the parking business where it is forced to maintain expansive lots and garages at the expense of station platforms (3) continues to overpay employees (a bus driver with a high school eduction such not be making 6 figures) and satisfy destructive labor unions with unrealistic contracts (4) allows funding formulas to favor expansion of the system (i.e. the Silver Line) rather than improvements (i.e. the downtown pedestrian connectors) and (5) creates red tape for transit-oriented redevelopment of WMATA property that could produce lucrative ground lease income and developer-provided station enhancements.

Comment by NikolasM

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:19:22 EDT

The future weekend looks absolutely terrible.

Comment by David Alpert

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:57:24 EDT

I've added the Forest Glen-Glenmont segment with a note saying that it was only open during this storm.

Comment by Kevin

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:44:47 EDT

Wow, the map is amazing, GREAT JOB! I wish our Metro here in Miami had a similar expansion story. Great map though.

Comment by coneyraven

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:44:00 EDT

kk ... The "Blue & Orange Line Thing" --- was a direct result of a car shortage of the time and in the name of efficiency ... read my post (you can click on it above) to explain in detail .... the car shortage is also the reason the Huntington branch was changed to Yellow from the originally planned Blue ... and then eventually made permanent (which I feel was a mistake to make permanent)

Comment by Alex B.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:41:58 EDT

kk - The Red line opened first for several reasons. One, they needed a stretch of track with a rail yard on it - and that was the Brentwood yard and shops. Two, they needed a large outdoor staging area to easily get materials into the tunnels that were under construction - which was the portal at Union Station.

Comment by coneyraven

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:37:09 EDT

What is interesting is that the Red Line only operated to Van ness in '82 .... plus, in comparison to this weekends storm, we must not forget the accident with the first customer fatalities in the systems history ... An Orange Line train, for lack of a better word, became crumpled agains one of the walls between the tracks at the switch between Federal Triangle and Smithsonian...and since the Yellow Line didn't make it's debut till the following year, there was no other alternative way to get past the accident

Comment by kk

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:34:13 EDT

The snowstorm map is wrong it is correct for December but this time Glenmont thru Forest Glen was open.

Why was the Rhode Island Ave - Farragut North Stretch opened first.

I still dont see the logic of the blue/orange line thing

What took so long for trains in SW & SE & in Petworth/Columbia Hgts; why not add those first before the northern PG county green line.

Comment by Eric F.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:27:54 EDT

That's an awesome map, David! However, during these snow storms, Metro has been running service between Glenmont and Forest Glen, even though their press release admits that their snow map doesn't show it.

Comment by Fritz

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:20:51 EDT

Great work. It's always nice to see the evolution of a system. Whether it be the Washington Metro or Canada (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_evolution_of_Canada).

Too bad your license is CC-BY-NC so Wikipedia can't benefit from these images.

Comment by Erik

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:17:33 EDT

This is great! At the London Transit museum, they have a similar display about the London Underground, and I was hoping that a similar chart for DC would be made eventually.

Thanks!

Comment by Alex B.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:41:20 EDT

Wow, great slideshow, David. Not a bad way to spend your Snowpocalypse.