Metro Flashcards
Define Accelerator Rail (Kicker Rail)?
small portion of the 3rd rail that ensures acceleration. Found just beyond some station platforms.
pg.2
“Accelerator Rail (Kicker Rail): A short section of third rail found just beyond some station platforms, to ensure uniform train acceleration.”
Define AC Switch Board Room?
a room where electricity from the utility company is received and distributed for station & rail roadway use
pg.2
“AC Switch Board Room: One or more rooms in all Metro stations wherein electricity from the utility company is received and distributed for station and Rail Roadway use.”
Define Aerial Structure?
Any rail roadway above level of surrounding terrain
pg.2
“Aerial Structure: Any portion of the Rail Roadway above the level of the surrounding terrain usually supported on columns spanned by concrete or steel beams.”
Define Ancillary Rooms?
Room with mechanical equipment or service facilities. Where most smoke & heat detectors are located.
pg.2
“Ancillary Rooms: Rooms in or near a rail station containing mechanical equipment or service facilities, and where most smoke and heat detectors are located.”
Define At-grade
Track or station at or near ground surface level.
pg.2
“At-Grade: (surface) the track or station constructed at or near the surrounding ground surface level.”
Define Ballast?
Gravel bed for the railroad. Holds the track in line.
pg.2
“Ballast: The coarse gravel that forms a bed for a railroad, for the purpose of creating a surface to hold the track in line.”
Define Bulkhead Door?
Door at the end of rail car, used for employee car passage and disembarking between stations during emergencies.
pg.2
“Bulkhead Door: The door on the end of a rail car used for employee passage from car-to-car or for disembarking between stations during emergencies.”
Define Bi-directional (Two Directional)
approaching the scene from opposite directions. Escpecially on aerial structures, in tunnels and when exact location isn’t clear.
pg.2
“Bi-directional (Two Directional): A means of approaching the incident scene from opposite directions. This method is required and especially effective for incidents on aerial structures, in tunnels, and when the exact location is not clear.”
Define Chain Marker?
a measurement system displayed every 100 ft along rail roadway. The sign denotes the distance in ft from the HUB.
pg.2
“Chain Marker: A measurement system sign displayed every 100 feet along the Rail Roadway. The sign denotes the distance in feet from the HUB, the center point of the line (either Metro Center or Gallery Place). A chain marker written as K2 [color] 525+00 would be interpreted as K line, track 2, Orange Line, 52,500 feet from the HUB. The signs appear between the tracks or are affixed to the fence along the at-grade or elevated Rail Roadway, or mounted on the walls of the tunnels throughout the Metro system. Chain markers may also be found on ancillary buildings or rooms as a means of fixing their location within the system.”
What does this Chain marker signify?
B line, Track 2, Orange line, 13,200 ft from HUB
pg.2
“A chain marker written as K2 [color] 525+00 would be interpreted as K line, track 2, Orange Line, 52,500 feet from the HUB.”
Define Chemical Biological Emergency Management Information System (CB-EMIS)?
Program system that manages info from the PROTECT detectors.
pg.2
“Chemical Biological Emergency Management Information System (CB-EMIS): The program system that manages the information received from the PROTECT detectors.”
Define Chiller Plant?
consist of water cooling towers, evaporator pumps, and condenser pumps. Water is circulated through these and distributed to various structures in its system.
pg.2
“Chiller Plant: A chiller plant consists of, among other items: water cooling towers, evaporator pumps, and condenser pumps. Water is circulated throughout these mechanisms and distributed to the various structures in its system. Water returns back to the plant via pipelines and is cooled again removing the heat.”
Define Collector Shoe?
A Collector shoe rides on the top of the contact rail, transferring the DC voltage to the train.
pg.3
“Collector Shoe (see also Paddle): The car-borne device designed to slide on the third rail to pick up DC propulsion current. The collector shoes are located in the center of each truck assembly on each side, four shoes per rail car.”
Define Common Corridor?
Shared transportation Rail Roadway.
Metrorail runs in median strip of interstate highway or adjacent to, above or between railroad tracks of other systems.
pg.3
“Common Corridor: The shared transportation Rail Roadway where MetroRail runs in the median strip of an interstate highway or adjacent to, above, or between railroad tracks belonging to other railroad systems.”
Define Command Conference Line?
A telephone system that allows a number parties to hold convo on the same line from phone within/outside of the metro system.
pg.3
“Command Conference Line: Capability of the telephone system to allow a number of parties to hold a conversation by telephone, on the same phone line, from phones within or outside of the Metro system.”
Define Consist?
A term that denotes the number of rail cars in a train.
pg.3
“Consist: A railroad term that denotes the number of rail cars in a train. For example, a six-car consist is three married pairs of rail cars under the control of one operator.”
Define Coupler?
A device used to connect one car to the other.
pg.3
“Coupler: A mechanical device on each end of a rail car used to connect one car to another.”
Define Cover Board?
A gray, fiberglass-like material over the top of the third rail. It’s an insulator and provides some protection from 3rd rail contact.
pg.3
“Cover Board: The gray, fiberglass-like material over the top of the third rail. It is an insulator and provides some protection from inadvertent contact with the third rail.”
Define Dynamic Breaking?
A method of train breaking involving kinetic energy
pg.3
“Dynamic Braking: A method of train braking where kinetic energy from train movement generates current at the traction motors, and is dissipated by the resistor grids.”
Define Elevated (or Aerial) Rail Roadway (RRW)?
Portion of track above ground.
pg.3
“Elevated (or Aerial) Rail Roadway (RRW): The portion of track constructed above the adjacent ground surface (aerial structures and stations).”
Define Emergency Evacuation Door Release (EEDR)?
Allows responders to open side center doors without key or train door power.
pg.3
“Emergency Evacuation Door Release (EEDR): A safety feature that allows emergency responders to open side center doors without a key and with or without train door power.”
Where is the Emergency Evacuation Kit (EEK) located?
right, rear, double-sided seat of every car.
pg.3
“The EEK is located under the seats of the right, rear, double-sided seat of every car.”
What does the Emergency Evacuation KIT (EEK) contain?
glow sticks
1 flashlight
1 traffic/safety vest
On the B car (odd number) a battery-operated bullhorn.
pg.3
“Emergency Evacuation Kit (EEK): One red bag containing glow sticks, one flashlight, one traffic/safety vest, and, on the B car (odd number), a battery-operated bullhorn can be found. The EEK is located under the seats of the right, rear, double-sided seat of every car.”
Where is the Emergency Exit located?
In the vent shaft farthest from the normal exit in a single entry station, and in vent fan or emergency exit shafts between station.
pg.3
“Emergency Exit: A passage consisting of stairs to the surface with a hatch or door to the outside. This exit is located in the vent shaft farthest from the normal exit in a single-entry station, and in vent, fan, or emergency exit shafts between stations. Except in special cases, the travel distance to an emergency exit does not exceed 1,250 feet.”
Except in special cases the travel distance to an emergency exit does not exceed what?
1,250 ft
pg.3
“Except in special cases, the travel distance to an emergency exit does not exceed 1,250 feet.”
Define Emergency Response Maps?
Maps and photos of the Metrorail systems.
pg.3
“Emergency Response Maps: Map and photos of the Metrorail system showing the Rail Roadway superimposed on area streets and providing details of system features such as stations and associated structures.”
The Emergency Trip Station is located approximately how many feet along the Rail Roadway at the ends of station platforms?
800 ft.
pg.3
“Emergency Trip Station (ETS): Boxes or cabinets located approximately every 800 feet along the Rail Roadway and at the ends of station platforms.”
What does the Emergency Trip Station contain?
Boxes/Cabinets with a telephone for communicating with Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC), an emergency trip switch button to de-activate 3rd rail, and a power graphics map.
pg.3
“Emergency Trip Station (ETS): Boxes or cabinets located approximately every 800 feet along the Rail Roadway and at the ends of station platforms. These boxes contain a telephone for communicating with Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC), an Emergency Trip Switch (button) to de-activate third rail power, and a power graphics map for identifying the sections of the third rail affected by this particular ETS. They are identified by a blue light on top of the box or cabinet. (May also be known as blue light stations.)”
How is the Emergency Trip Station identified?
By a blue light on top of the box or cabinet, also known as blue lights stations.
pg.3
“They are identified by a blue light on top of the box or cabinet. (May also be known as blue light stations.)”
Where are Collector Shoes located?
Center of each truck assembly on each side.
pg.3
“Collector Shoe (see also Paddle): The car-borne device designed to slide on the third rail to pick up DC propulsion current. “The collector shoes are located in the center of each truck assembly on each side, four shoes per rail car.”
How many collection shoes per rail car?
4
pg.3
“Collector Shoe (see also Paddle): The car-borne device designed to slide on the third rail to pick up DC propulsion current. The collector shoes are located in the center of each truck assembly on each side, four shoes per rail car.”
What is a Fan Shaft?
A concrete structure with reversible fans. used to exhaust heat or smoke.
pg.4
“Fan Shaft: A concrete structure with reversible fans at or near track level, having a grate at surface level used to exhaust heat or smoke mechanically from the tunnels or to supply fresh air. They are found between subsurface stations along the Metrorail system.”
What is the Hot Stick used to test?
It test for 3rd rail electrical currents.
pg.4
“Hot Stick: A hand held voltage-testing device used to test the third rail for the presence of electrical current. This device is carried by Metro employees and on some fire and rescue vehicles.”
Define Inbound?
direction toward chain marker 0+00 (hub of the line)
pg.4
“Inbound: The direction toward chain marker 0+00 (the hub of the line). It is track #1 on the A, C, F, J, K, L and N lines and track #2 on the B, D, E, and G Lines.”
What is the Interlocking Equipment Box?
a fire-extinguisher style boxed that stores switch blocks (chocks), cranks, hammers and switch point clamps.
pg.4
“Interlocking Equipment Box: A fire-extinguisher style box for the storage of switch blocks (chocks), cranks, hammers, and switch point clamps, as required near the switches in interlocking and yards.”
What is the Intrusion, Detection, and Warning (IDW) system?
“The system that detects damage to the anti- personnel fence or partition, by zone”
pg.4
“Intrusion, Detection, and Warning (IDW): The system that detects damage to the anti- personnel fence or partition, by zone. The IDW is installed in common corridor areas.”
Where is the IDW installed?
In common corridor areas.
pg.4
“Intrusion, Detection, and Warning (IDW): The system that detects damage to the anti- personnel fence or partition, by zone. The IDW is installed in common corridor areas.”
What is an Inverter?
a device converting battery power to AC energy
in Rohr cars it converts 3rd rail power to AC energy.
pg.4
“Inverter: A device, which converts battery power to AC energy, or, in Rohr (1000/8000 series) cars, converts third-rail power (750 volts DC) to AC energy to power the traction motors.”
Define Lateral Jacking?
moving the rail car away from the platform to free a trapped victim.
pg.4
“Lateral Jacking: The process of moving a rail car away from the platform to free a trapped victim. (Also known as jacking.)”
What is a Married Pair?
2 metro rail cars semi-permanently coupled together.
pg.4
“Married Pair: Two Metro rail cars semi-permanently coupled together. This is the minimum number of cars required for operation of a Metro train. This excludes the 7000 series cars which is, at minimum, a four-car consist.”
What is the minimum number of cars required for operations of a metro train?
Two Metro rail cars semi-permanently coupled together.
pg.4
“Married Pair: Two Metro rail cars semi-permanently coupled together. This is the minimum number of cars required for operation of a Metro train. This excludes the 7000 series cars which is, at minimum, a four-car consist.”
What portion of a Metro station contains the Kiosk and fare gates?
The Mezzanine
pg.5
“Mezzanine: That portion of a Metro rail station containing the kiosk and fare gates. The mezzanine may be on a level above the platform (in underground stations), below the platform level (for aerial stations), or above or below the platform level for at-grade stations.”
Who is usually the On-scene Commander?
A transit police officer
pg.5
“On-scene Commander: A Metro term for the ranking Metro employee on the scene of an emergency incident. This person will normally be a transit police officer.”
Define Outbound?
The direction away from the chain marker 0+00 on any given line.
pg.5
“Outbound: The direction away from the chain marker 0+00 on any given line. It is track #1 on the B, D, E, and G Lines and track #2 on the A, C, F, J, K, L, and N Lines.”
What is a Pocket Track?
a 3rd track is connected to mainline tracks, used for storage and/or turning trains.
pg.5
“Pocket Track: An interlocking arrangement in which a third track is connected to mainline tracks (track #1 and #2) used for storage and/or turning (reversing direction) trains.”
The point where the Rail Roadway enters or exits a tunnel is called what?
Portal.
pg.5
“Portal: A point where the Rail Roadway enters or exits a tunnel.”
Where are the Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) found?
In station service rooms and Kiosk.
pg.5
“Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX): Telephones found in station service rooms and the Kiosk. They allow access to ROCC by dialing a five-digit phone number.”
The Private Automatic Branch Exchange allows acces to who?
ROCC by dialing a 5 digit number.
pg.5
“Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX): Telephones found in station service rooms and the Kiosk. They allow access to ROCC by dialing a five-digit phone number.”
Power down means what?
3rd rail power is being removed.
pg.5
“Power Down: The term used by Metro to indicate that the third rail power is being removed.”
Define Power up?
3rd rail power is being restored.
pg.5
“Power Up: The term used by Metro to indicate that the third rail power is being restored.”
What is the PROTECT SYSTEM?
a chemical and biological substance detection system.
pg.5
“PROTECT System: The chemical and biological substance detection system installed in WMATA rail stations that are located in sensitive areas of the DC Region. See CB-EMIS.”
What is the Raceway?
The space below the safety walk.
pg.5
“Raceway: The space below the safety walk, usually on an aerial track bed, where wiring and other metro equipment can be found.”
The Rail Yard is under control by who?
By the yardmaster.
pg.6
“Raceway: The space below the safety walk, usually on an aerial track bed, where wiring and other metro equipment can be found.”
Trains running in the wrong direction are sometimes referred toas what?
wrong railing.
pg.6
“Single Tracking: An operation performed during any incident involving the blockage of one track in the system when Metro attempts to route all traffic, both inbound and outbound, to the track that is not involved. Trains running in the wrong direction are sometimes referred to as wrong railing.”
Ribbon rails have the tendency to do what?
recoil to its designed positiom.
pg.6
“Ribbon Rail: Steel rail that has been manufactured or welded in lengths of up to one half mile or more. This rail has a tendency to recoil to its designed position if it is broken or separated in a derailment. There will be little or no warning before it recoils.”
Define Revenue area?
parts of metro where paying passengers may be at any time.
pg.6
“Revenue Area: Parts of the Metro system where paying passengers may be at any time. These areas include stations, tunnels, surface and aerial Rail Roadways. The rail yards and yard lead track are not included.”
What is a Rescue Train?
a train who’s purpose is removing passengers from a disabled train.
pg.6
“Rescue Train: A train commandeered for the purpose of removing passengers from a disabled train. The fire and rescue IC and ROCC must concur on allowing the third rail to remain energized to facilitate this operation.”
Define Red Tag Third Rail Power?
removing third rail power by physically disengaging large circuit breakers in Traction Power Substations and/or Tie Breaker stations.
pg.6
“Red Tag Third Rail Power Removal: The procedure of removing third rail power by physically disengaging large circuit breakers in Traction Power Substations and/or Tie Breaker stations. This procedure is referred to as racking out the breakers. The reinstallation of these breakers requires the approval of the fire and rescue Incident Commander (IC) once all fire and rescue personnel have cleared the RRW.”
Define Rail Roadway (RRW)?
the space inside the tunnel walls, at-grade between the fences or between the railings on aerial structures.
pg.6
“Rail Roadway (RRW): The area considered to be the space inside the tunnel walls, at-grade between the fences or between the railings on aerial structures. (Formerly known as Right of Way or ROW.)”
Define Stray Current?
A negative return in the traction power electrical system reaches earth ground.
pg.6
“Stray Current: An occurrence where the negative return in the traction power electrical system reaches earth ground. High resistance in the return of the negative current may cause this, or when some metal object comes in contact with a rail car or the running rails.”
Define Supervisory Power Removal?
3rd power removal by ROCC
pg.7
“Supervisory Power Removal: Third rail power removed remotely by ROCC, via computer.”
Define Switch (Crossover Track)?
pair of switch points providing a means for establishing a route from 1 track to another.
pg.7
“Switch (Crossover Track): A pair of switch points with their fastenings and operating rods providing a means for establishing a route from one track to another.”
Define Switch Points?
a system in which a car can be moved from one set of tracks to another.
pg.7
“Switch Points: A system operated remotely and locally by various mechanisms in which a car or cars can be moved from one set of tracks to another set of tracks. Extreme caution must be used in these areas as tracks can be moved both expectedly and unexpectedly.”
The 3rd rail provides approximately how many volts to the trains?
750 volts DC.
pg.7
“Third Rail: The rail that provides electrical power of approximately 750 volts DC to the trains. It is located outside of the running rails and slightly higher (approximately 41⁄2 inches) than the running rails and is protected by a fiberglass cover board.”