By By Joseph Ryan
Daily Herald Staff Writers
Posted Saturday, July 15, 2006
Misaligned subway tracks on the CTA's Blue Line likely caused Tuesday's smoky derailment that injured 152 passengers during the evening rush hour, said federal investigators Friday.The National Transportation Safety Board is now focusing on whether the stretch of tracks - which is potentially more than 50 years old - were properly maintained by the CTA.
After three days of investigation, NTSB member Kitty Higgins said it is clear the last car of the train derailed because of the tacks and not any of the eight cars involved, which were all found to be in proper condition.
The tracks in the area of the derailment just northwest of Chicago's downtown were found to be spaced one-half inch and 1.12 inches farther apart than the CTA standard, Higgins said. El tracks should be spaced between 56.5 and 57.5 inches apart.
"If it is wider than that, (the train) will go off the tracks," Higgins said.
The NTSB is now focusing on inspection and maintenance of the derailment area as well as the entire system, she said. The Blue Line section was last inspected four days before the startling wreck. Higgins said investigators didn't yet have information on whether any problems were reported or fixed.
Tracks are supposed to be inspected twice a week under CTA policy, Higgins said. CTA officials declined comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
"There is what is supposed to be done and then we are looking at what was actually done," Higgins said.
The inspections should consist of two inspectors walking the tracks, taking measurements and reporting any findings for potential repair. The tracks have been completely repaired since the derailment, the CTA has said.
"Overall, this is a very safe system," Higgins stressed at a Friday news conference above where the incident occurred near Fulton and Clinton streets.
Several factors could have caused the tracks to fall out of alignment, including rot in the wood planks and broken or overstressed screws and metal tie plates. The NTSB will inspect those items recovered from scene to look at every possibility.
The Blue Line was completed in 1951, and NTSB investigator Mike Flanigon said it was possible the track involved in the derailment dated that far back. He said that wouldn't be an unusual or dangerous situation so long as it was properly maintained.
Higgins also said the NTSB fire investigator found that the derailment did not cause a fire as previously thought by CTA and other officials.
The derailed car did hit the third rail, which caused extremely hot electrical sparks that produced a lot of smoke and melted part of the third rail, she said.
The Tuesday evening incident drew scores of fire trucks and ambulances to the scene as about 1,000 passengers had to find their way through choking smoke along a narrow catwalk to an escape hatch.
Most of the injuries consisted of breathing problems and scraps, but a few suffered more extensive injuries and were hospitalized in critical condition for days.
Reprinted with permission from the Daily Herald