Investigators examine track 'anomalies'

Investigators probing a deadly train crash near the Washington-Maryland border are looking more closely at a stretch of track near the wreck site after finding abnormalities yesterday in equipment that senses trains and transmits speed commands.

Debbie Hersman of the National Transportation Safety Board said five of six circuits, or stretches of track, in the crash area recognised a device that simulates the presence of a train. But she said there were anomalies with the sixth circuit.

Ms Hersman would not elaborate on what those might be, saying more tests are needed.

“We’re particularly interested in the speed commands that might be sent from that circuit when there’s a train standing on that circuit,” Ms Hersman said.

Equipment along each circuit receives signals that generate speed commands for the train. Ms Hersman said the circuit in question is about 740 feet long.

Nine people, including the operator of the oncoming train, were killed on Monday when a train crashed into another that was stopped. It was the deadliest accident in Metrorail’s 33-year history.

Hersman also said yesterday that inspectors found 300 to 400 feet of markings on the rails, indicating that some emergency braking took place before the crash.

NTSB investigators were spending a second full day at the crash site near the Washington-Maryland border as they continue to examine the tracks and other equipment on Metro’s red line, the system’s busiest.

All the wreckage from Monday’s Metro train crash has been removed from the scene as investigators work to allow Metro to restore service in the area.

Ms Hersman said investigators hoped to interview the driver of the train that was struck today. The driver was released from hospital yesterday.