DART partially restores rail service

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Posted on Dec 9, 2013 by thudsondd
Update, 6:00 a.m., Monday, Dec. 9 DART rail has been partially restored with some stations being served by bus shuttles. Click here for all of the information about Monday's service. Update, 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 8: We're preparing for the start of passenger service by testing our tracks, power systems and vehicles. We have to operate trains throughout the system to make sure everything is working correctly and safely. These are test trains. No customers are allowed. The testing, as well as our ability to restore service, depends on the weather. Bottom line, we need some ice to melt from the tracks and overhead power lines. We have treated and retreated switches and the parts of the system where ice melt will work. We will continue monitoring the weather and begin our testing as soon as possible and continue it for as long as possible to get ready for the start of passenger service. Our goal is to be in operation Monday, and we're doing everything we can to achieve it. However, it's also possible that we may not have the full rail system open Monday. We are still operating buses along the rail corridors to get you where you need to go. DART buses are on a Sunday schedule and there is no TRE service. Click here to view more information about the DART Rail Disruption Bus Shuttles. Thanks for working through this with us. Update, 6:00 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 8: We are still working to restore light rail. This involves cleaning and testing switches and making some equipment repairs. We have also cleared some trees that were knocked down by the storm. We have also put out more than 23 tons of ice melt on our operation and passenger facilities. We hope to be able to restore some level of light rail service Monday. There's simply lots to do to get the tracks, overhead power lines and rail cars ready. We will make sure we can operate safely before we start. We believe we will have the best opportunity to make progress on this after the temperature gets above freezing. Current models suggest that will happen Sunday morning. In the meantime buses continue covering the rail corridors. DART bus routes are on a Sunday schedule and there is no TRE service. We appreciate your patience. We are working very hard to have light rail back in operation Monday morning. Update, 1:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7: Due to weather conditions, The T in Fort Worth will be suspending bus service at ITC Station at 5:00p Saturday for the remainder of the day. DART continues to run bus shuttles at rail stations. Additional service has been added for the in-progress Dallas Stars game at the American Airlines Center. Update, 5:00 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 We're continuing to work to restore rail service. Buses operate in place of DART Rail this morning. DART bus and TRE will follow a regular Saturday schedule. Service is subject to local conditions. We've put out more ice melt at passenger facilities and we'll keep watching and reapply as needed. Thanks for your patience these past couple of days. [More information about rail bus shuttles] Update, 6:00 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6: We'll continue working through the evening to restore DART Rail but customers should expect to use bus connections at the rail stations Saturday morning. We will monitor passenger facilities and reapply de-ice and sand as needed. We anticipate regular Saturday bus and TRE service. Our apologies for the inconvenience. [More information about rail bus shuttles] Update, 3:00 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6: DART is continuing to work to restore rail service as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, bus shuttles are serving DART rail stations as frequent as the local road conditions allow. The TRE is operating a regular schedule. Passengers should allow extra time if needing to travel by DART through the late afternoon and evening. In spite of day and night-long efforts to keep the light rail system moving, we suspended rail service early this morning to ensure the safety of our employees and customers. We are monitoring passenger facilities and working to clear ice as quickly as possible. We do not have an estimated time for the return of light rail. Monitor DART.org and @dartalerts for updates. Our apologies for the inconvenience. Update, 1:35 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6: The big culprit of DART's suspended rail service is ice on the power lines. When ice builds up on the lines (like in the picture above), the light rail cars cannot make adequate contact to be powered along the track. As mentioned earlier, DART began running "Out of Service" trains overnight to try to prevent that buildup of ice, but those efforts weren't enough for the strong winter storm that moved through the area. Rail cars lose power and become stranded when they hit a stretch of of track with icy power lines. This clogs up much of the system and ultimately resulting in DART temporarily suspending all rail service. Currently, DART is still working to remove ice from the power lines and rescue the trains stranded around the system. Update, 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 6: As the freezing precipitation moves out of the area, DART is working to restore some level of rail service before the end of the day. We are continuing to monitor and treat passenger facilities. We apologize for the inconvenience. At this time TRE trains are operational and on time. Update, 6:45 a.m., Friday, Dec. 6: DART has suspended all rail service. Ice on the overhead power lines was causing trains to stall between stations. Buses will serve all rail stations as road conditions permit. Read DART President Gary Thomas' message about the decision. We apologize for the inconvenience. Suspending rail service will allow DART to consolidate efforts to clear the power lines and restore service as the weather allows. TRE is running 35 to 60 minutes behind schedule due to frozen rail switches. Update, 5:28 a.m., Friday, Dec. 6: DART Rail is operating as follows: 8th & Corinth to Mockingbird on Red, 8th & Corinth to Mockingbird on Blue, Buckner to Victory on Green, Mockingbird to Victory on Orange. Bus shuttles connect the other stations. This may change as weather conditions change. Bus routes will be delayed due to local road conditions. Expect delays and dress accordingly. Sign up for and follow DART's Rider Alerts for the latest information. The TRE is also experiencing delays of 10 to 18 minutes along the route because of various weather-related problems. Update, Thursday, Dec. 5: Expect weather-related delays on DART buses and trains Friday. Arrive at your rail station or bus stop early and give yourself extra time to make it to your destination if you have to get out. Bus bridges may be set up along rail lines as needed. Check DART's Rider Alerts page for complete updates. Original entry, Thursday, Dec. 5: With severe weather approaching the Dallas-Fort Worth area, DART is taking the necessary steps to prepare its services for the anticipated icy conditions. • DART will be running trains overnight to keep the overhead power lines, tracks and switches clear from ice buildup. Note: These overnight trains will be "Out of Service" and not picking up passengers. • Additional buses and operators will be ready in the event that bus shuttles are needed along rail lines. • Crews will be ready to deploy sand and ice melt at DART rail stations. Please be advised some DART services may experience delays. In addition, severe conditions may make detours necessary on some DART bus routes. Keep watch here for updates and sign up for e-mail and text alerts as the winter weather plays out.
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