How the NATO Summit affected the DC Metro

[@eannamcnamara9338]

Nothing more DC-coded than the idea that someone would miss their station because of a NATO summit

[@Thom-TRA]

At least it’s not a motorcade this time

[@sammymarrco47]

so DC, our major events make our system even more useful!

[@ScottRothsroth0616]

@@sammymarrco47 , I was beginning to think I was the only one.

[@delyar]

Totally. I recall something like that in the naughts

[@PMwarrior]

This sort of reminds me of when the metro trains in Los Angeles speed right through the Hollywood/Highland station when the Academy Awards are going on.

[@Thom-TRA]

And the Oscar goes to… RUMBLE RUMBLE… no one knows who they’re clapping for

[@danielleporter1829]

It never occurred to me that the Red ( D) Line of the LA Metro runs express through Hollywood/Highland during the Oscars which makes sense, given the Airspace above the Dolby Theatre is a no fly zone for the week leading up to the Oscars. And just about every street is blocked off until the day after the awards.

[@chriscubingclips]

That confused shrug when the doors opened at Federal Triangle was great. lol. I really hope it was Lindsey being cameraperson hoping her husband wouldn't jump out of the train and get taken by the Feds. haha Thanks for covering these quirks and interesting DC things. Neat to see how WMATA adapts to DC security stuff. Have a great rest of your week!

[@Thom-TRA]

Haha it was Lindsey! I think she was glad neither of us had to go into work that day because of all the traffic chaos

[@theblueblazer999]

It’s kind of cool that the metro system is smart enough to record the temporary terminus and update the digital signage.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah their information team is doing great work!

[@Northern_Idaho]

Fun fact: The North Atlantic Treaty explicitly says it only applies north of the tropics, so Hawaii and French Guiana aren’t technically defended; though this probably won’t be true in reality, unless the US doesn’t feel like defending Hawaii Edit: 7:20 nice reference, I enjoy that series

[@Thom-TRA]

Aw man, now like half of France is defenseless lol

[@PiggyPat]

Hawaii is a state in the United States; therefore, it's covered.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@PiggyPat no, it’s not. As OP pointed out, states and territories south of the tropic are excluded from the treaty.

[@TheGAMWolferz]

I love the nod to Andy on Track. The yellow bolt is back! 💛 ⚡️

[@airbus7373]

There is some daily late night express service technically. All Blue line trains after 7 pm bypass Arlington Cemetery in the fall and winter, and after 10 pm in the spring and summer. Nice video

[@Thom-TRA]

True. The subject of a future video.

[@rikkichunn8856]

what a fascinating ride on the Washington Metro! Good job, Thom!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks!!

[@97nelsn]

Express service should’ve been included for the Silver Line in NoVa heading towards Dulles. There could’ve been a premium flat fare for travel between DC and Dulles.

[@Hahlen]

I don’t think there are any passing loops or extra tracks to allow for express operations

[@Thom-TRA]

I think he’s saying they should have built some passing tracks

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

I loved DC for these kinds of events. I hope you're enjoying your new city of residence.

[@Thom-TRA]

I am wholeheartedly! Even when it’s been 90+ degrees for the last two months

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

@@Thom-TRA Swamps do get hot, humid, and steamy. :)

[@johnfriel-uj2zs]

Nice Clean Stations, Clean Trains.Outstanding Video As Usual. Makes Me Want zto Visit DC.❤😂🎉😊

[@Thom-TRA]

You should! It’s beautiful here

[@29downtheline]

More express service in DC would be amazing! Far-out sections of the system (mainly on the Red and Silver Lines) should definitely have been designed for the ability to run express trains!

[@officialmcdeath]

Pace of the Green Line train suggests the ride is fairly firm, otherwise there would conflict between the car body and the platform edge - thanks for sharing this local detail \m/

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ve noticed the green line always goes pretty fast. I’m pretty sure it’s the only line where they’re not raising the speeds.

[@colethomsen]

@@Thom-TRA Can confirm, went 60 mph yesterday between Georgia Ave and Fort Totten

[@Super-Suchi]

A similar situation in Chicago. The DNC is going to be here next month so to facilitate traffic, Metra just announced temporary express service from O'Hare to Union. Really nice that Metra _can_ do something like this but...can we make this permanent? Maybe add some more regular north central trains?

[@Thom-TRA]

Whaaaaaaat?? My O’Hare express idea and it’s finally happening? Fricking politicians get everything haha.

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

​@@Thom-TRAthe state of the CTA and Blue Line wouldn't cut it 🙃

[@NortherlyK]

Metra? I mean that train runs so infrequently what use would an express version be? It'd be more useful to have a dedicated train that ran every 15 mins from 6 am to midnight.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@NortherlyK maybe look up the actual plan before you speak

[@maas1208]

They have deal with CN to make the O'Hare Express Permanent

[@adlad75]

Great change of pace for a video and hopefully more chances to do similar ones (combining local history / current events) featuring transit around the DMV. 👍

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks! I’m actually planning a whole series on DC history! First one is almost done

[@ck4426]

Wow!!! This was an up-to-date recent awesome video!!! Very well done for releasing it the very next day!!! What a unique and awesome experience you had with these Express routes!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

A fresh video!

[@ck4426]

@@Thom-TRA Fresh and awesome!!!

[@snekposts]

lol I was so confused when I skipped right by Federal Triangle yesterday - great video :)

[@Thom-TRA]

Yep, this is why!

[@jackmanly109]

I actually work just outside of the Federal Triangle. Getting in and out of work was such a hassle during the summit, as the road I would use to access the front door was completely blocked off by security. I was a bit surprised there wasn't any screening process for people entering the office building, but I'm not complaining.

[@goofyahhnerdyy]

I got to ride a SIlver line train through Federal Triangle! The driver honked his horn when passing through. Probably a very rare thing to happen!

[@Frankfurtdabezzzt]

I always enjoy seeing content about the DC Metro, not sure if it's my love for Brutalism or Fallout 3

[@pauly5418]

I believe the NATO leaders had dinner together on the night of July 9 which would have been over by 8 pm. That's my guess about why the Federal Triangle station was open around 8 pm. It looks like they don't want people to know too much about what's going on at these events.

[@mrvwbug4423]

Yeah, DC is known to be a "city of spies", they last thing they want is Russian agents attempting sabotage or assassination during the NATO summit when most NATO heads of state are in the same place. DC is a city where any conversation in public outside of certain high security locations is probably being recorded by Russian and Chinese intel agencies, not to mention the NSA.

[@markdeloatch9796]

OMG, did I see a RAT at the end of this video? I guess Metro is a true subway system now.

[@Thom-TRA]

They were just thirsty haha

[@mrvwbug4423]

The channel called "Welcome to an Experience" sticks go pros to the front of NYC subway trains, it's always fun to see the "rat counter" in the comments.

[@jimmeade2976]

WMATA trains have the ability to skip-stop a station (controlled by station-local equipment and/or the control center), but the equipment on the train doesn't know that until it's approaching the station. The train and signaling system then skips the station (at a slow speed) but the onboard electronic voice doesn't know that at the previous station, which is why the electronic voice said the train was stopping at Federal Triangle on station departure but then changed to not stopping there when the train was approaching. They may have decided to reopen the station after 8pm to make sure the equipment was properly configured for the next morning, when Federal Triangle was definitely open

[@TheEpicDiamondMiner]

I knew something was off when I rode the metro yesterday. I was riding the metro to Dunn Loring Station from New Carrollton that day. After the train left Smithsonian, it just rode past Federal Triangle station, and just stopped at Metro Center, I thought that was odd. After I did what I needed to do at Dunn Loring, I looked at the metro map, And I saw that Mt Vernon Square and Federal Triangle station was closed.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yep, it’s the summit

[@peabody1976]

I **have** in odd situations been on Metro trains that for the sake of delays (caused by trains taken out of service) have skipped stops, and the operators will say that anyone needing those stops would either get off and wait for another train or stay on board and get a train going the opposite direction when the train finally stops. It's a weird feeling when that happens.

[@Thom-TRA]

Lindsey experienced it a few weeks ago. I have, but in Chicago.

[@michaelb9629]

I never knew there was such a thing even though it makes sense for it to happen there. I just haven’t ever thought they would do something different about the trains the way they have to run. I kind of find that interesting though.

[@ericlburch]

I dimly remember (like pre-2000) during morning rush sometimes you would skip stops like Farragut North or Judiciary Square. They would announce it as you were going down the Red Line, not every train did that. It might have been an experiment that I was lucky enough to be part of. This was back when you'd be standing-room-only from Twinbrook (my stop) to downtown.

[@atticussawatzki]

There was the Green Line commuter shortcut. The mostly-surface track from Greenbelt to Fort Totten opened in 1993, and some rush-hour trains ran to downtown via a short service track and the Red Line. That service ended when the Green Line mid-city tunnel opened in 1999. With 3-minute headways, it was also common for dispatch to order Red Line trains to skip the next 1 or 2 stops for schedule adjustment; something that fell out of practice with the current 6-minute headways.

[@MrCrazycook8]

For someone without a car you sure do get around a lot

[@sammymarrco47]

DC is one of the few US cities where not having a car is totally do-able!

[@Northern_Idaho]

All you need to do is listen to I Get Around by the Beach Boys

[@saladman8745]

needing a car was the biggest lie americans were fed by companies

[@Thom-TRA]

I think it’s precisely because I don’t have one that I can get around so much. The cost savings let me afford a higher rent and more travel. Though this video was all filmed in my backyard 😉

[@jaanikvestergaard]

@@sammymarrco47Nice to see you here. Love ur vids

[@jack615]

Green and Orange Line Trains Bypassed North Station in Boston for the 2004 DNC Convention

[@andrew_ray]

And all the northern commuter trains go cut back to Malden Center, Porter, etc.

[@S-CB-SL-Animations]

Did somebody say Trains? 😃🚇💖

[@simonsv9449]

Having Express trains on the metro is actually a good idea. Where the Blue and Yellow Lines share tracks, the Blue Line should in my opinion be limited-stopping since it has farther to go than the Yellow Line. And where the Orange and Silver Lines share their tracks, the Silver Line could be limited-stopping as well, since the Silver Line is so long. The Blue Line could stop only at National Airport between King Street Old Town and Pentagon, while the Silver Line could stop only at Court House between Rosslyn and East Falls Church.

[@Thom-TRA]

But you can only really do that when you have passing tracks, which the metro doesn’t in DC. Plus, Crystal city is also a huge ridership generator.

[@ccityplanner1217]

I am able to tolerate the heart being cut out of Washington DC because that's Washington DC's express purpose and being a city was always meant to come second. Same goes for Naypyidaw, Brasilia. However, when the President comes to my home town & the Secret Service, an agency based in Washington DC, insists on cutting the heart out of London, a city that doesn't belong to them, then that gets my goat. The King of Great Biscay rides out on his horse in public every morning because our king is considered to derive his authority from keeping the country safe & were it not safe for him to do so then he would be unworthy of His Majesty.

[@Thom-TRA]

That is nonsense that Washington wasn't meant to be a city. It was meant to be a city that housed the buildings necessary for the capital. And when your PM comes to the US, you bet they shut down streets for him here. Don't let "rules for thee, not for me" be your mantra.

[@ccityplanner1217]

@@Thom-TRA : I do not blame you for cutting the heart out of London when there's a state visit just because you're American. You shouldn't blame me just because I'm British. London receives state visits from countries other than the United States, but it is when Potus comes to town that is the day Londoners dread because it's more disruptive than the others.

[@Thom-TRA]

You literally just did blame America. And FYI I am not American.

[@anthonywarrener1881]

This is great ! I bet you didn’t see any Foreign Heads of State missing their stop !

[@Thom-TRA]

I had to help Keir Starmer figure out what stop to get off at (just kidding).

[@anthonywarrener1881]

@@Thom-TRA You are very kind !

[@jacktattersall9457]

In Toronto subway trains will sometimes bypass stations due to "security incidents', 'Toronto Police Services investigations', 'Toronto Fire Services investigations', or construction/maintenance. Usually the operator will make an announcement a couple stations before and at the last served station before explaining that we're skipping that stop, a brief reason, and directions for where connecting buses have been redirected, however the automatic announcement will continue to call the next station even though we pass without stopping at reduced speed with two horn blasts (one entering the platform, one halfway down). A couple weeks ago, a security incident (stabbing) caused trains to bypass Jane Station, the driver announced that we were bypassing and that buses were being redirected to Runnymede. Interestingly, when we left Runnymede, there were no announcements for Jane and the automatic PA instead only announced Old Mill. I thought it was interesting they just skipped the announcement.

[@Thom-TRA]

Oh they reroute the buses? That is a great service

[@kelv3157]

@@Thom-TRAYup, to prevent those coming into danger (and to a lesser extent) to prevent who’s involved in the incident like a suspect from leaving

[@lionfan11]

I rode during the beginning of 2021 and the yellow line ran express through gallery place, archives, and L’efant! The robot just kept saying “Skipping next stop” It was because of inauguration

[@Thom-TRA]

That’s pretty cool haha

[@DCAdamB]

Very similar procedure occurs if you are riding the Blue line between Rosslyn and Pentagon late at night. The 7000 speakers play the “bypassing next station” audio clip and the trains pass thru Arlington Cemetery at full speed

[@Thom-TRA]

Not anymore sadly! I remember it used to be like that but the last few months every time I ride that stretch at night it stops

[@DCAdamB]

@@Thom-TRA did not realize they changed that. Wonder what the rationale is for the train to come to a stop and then reaccelerate without letting anyone on or off. Just seems like wasting time for the sake of wasting time

[@Thom-TRA]

@@DCAdamB the doors open! It’s just open now

[@DCAdamB]

@@Thom-TRA how late do you usually pass through it? The closing time varies over the course of the year. From October to March, it closes after 7pm and from April to September it closes at 10pm

[@DCAdamB]

If you usually ride between 7pm and 10pm, that could explain the apparent change you experience a couple months back

[@IloveLexus1]

WMATA will most likely never have express trains because there isn’t enough space for 4 tracks. It would be cool if they had express trains during rush hour

[@wizard_pirate_9085]

Andy and Thom Crossover event when? i mean we just had express service on the metro so stranger things can happen

[@sammymarrco47]

😏

[@Thom-TRA]

Let’s just say you don’t even have to wait till the end of the month

[@history_leisure]

Reece had an idea to make MARTA an RER type service, but I think you would want express tracks on the elevated portions so most service would still turn back at or near present termini (even if just one track for peak direction like some subway lines in New York). Does most of the Tokyo Metro use yards and tail tracks to turn metro services around before going into intercity territory or is Japan so good at time it can just cross over to the outbound side before returning downtown?

[@Thom-TRA]

Most Tokyo metro services continue on into the suburbs, but the ones that do terminate in the city turn back at the platform.

[@paulcastillo1310]

Great video

[@Beansworth1551]

I actually just got off metro and this whole thing is very confusing the platforms were crowded and the message boards were so off.

[@gregorylparks7304]

Great Video 😊

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks!

[@JJRol.]

All of the PID's on the YL train still had Mt Vernon Sq, perhaps Gallery Pl isn't an option? This is an interesting service change, it's very "DC" to have disruptions due to a NATO summit!

[@Thom-TRA]

I think the options are very limited. The red line is only running to Takoma rn and all the old trains just say “SPECIAL”

[@JJRol.]

@@Thom-TRA I was wondering what the older trains did when there's disruptions like this... is the red line being bustituted?

[@Thom-TRA]

@@JJRol. yes

[@chriscubingclips]

Also, somebody tell @andyontrack it looks like at least part of the Yellow Neon is on now! We did it KZbin!!! 😛

[@sammymarrco47]

ik people at WMATA watch the channel, so someone may have made a call to the repairman.

[@Thom-TRA]

Hence the “good job Andy”

[@andyontrack]

😎

[@billm.2373]

Nothing more DCentric han opening Federal Triangle but not telling anyone.

[@Thom-TRA]

Time for all the workers to go back to the office lol

[@johnchastain5657]

Nice cameo by the rats, at the end! 😂

[@Thom-TRA]

They charged a steep price but it was worth it

[@teecefamilykent]

Brilliant video sir, thoroughly well researched. another video without Lyndsey keeping an eye on you?

[@Thom-TRA]

You’ll see her briefly if you look closely!

[@erikgustafson9319]

It’s the NAFOXpress

[@Trainsaregreat365]

Interesting video

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks!

[@Trainsaregreat365]

@@Thom-TRA you're welcome

[@georgetreisbach3849]

Ah' the four legged wildlife of DC.

[@Thom-TRA]

If they don’t bother me, I don’t bother them. Making a living is hard in this city haha.

[@portcybertryx222]

Hey Thom how are the automatic doors looking? Glad you’re having fun in DC

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ve seen them activated on most trains! Definitely nice to save some time!

[@portcybertryx222]

@@Thom-TRA neat!

[@louiszhang3050]

If only you rode the Metro during the 2021 Inauguration. That was weird.

[@Beansworth1551]

Hey Thom been wondering when the video on the work trains on the dc metro is coming out?

[@Thom-TRA]

Sometime this fall!

[@Beansworth1551]

@@Thom-TRAYes!!

[@Beansworth1551]

@@Thom-TRA also can I get my comment pinned on the video when it comes out?

[@NortherlyK]

Rather similar to inauguration day.

[@JORDMAN1001]

You should visit Mexico City sometime.

[@Thom-TRA]

Hmm, good idea

[@paulcastillo1310]

Station start for close just for the 3day un

[@hadjnabil4811]

thank you lot's😘

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re welcome

[@paulcastillo1310]

By pass that station

[@stephenshaw7593]

All trains on a line skipping a stop isn't express service

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes it is. Express is just skipping stops as far as I’m concerned.

[@tld8102]

Running express? or just station closed

[@Thom-TRA]

Same difference

[@BirbarianHomeGuard]

Apollo smiles upon NATO. Euro-American liberal democracy is eternal.

[@natangebrelibanos9167]

Hi

[@Thom-TRA]

Hey

[@paulcastillo1310]

She carrie will be tight and washington d c

[@lawrencewild2523]

You went out in this heat to film skipped stations??? I suppose I should admire your dedication to the subject, but honextly I think you may be letting the heat get to you. That was just a little crazy.

[@Thom-TRA]

I don’t know man, I just had a good time, you’re the one writing the mildly rude comment. Maybe time to revisit who is letting the heat get to them. It’s just warm weather. You’ll be okay.