United States Capitol subway system

United States Capitol subway system
Overview
Owner U.S. Government
Locale United States Capitol Complex, Washington, D.C.
Transit type People mover
Number of lines 3
Number of stations 6
Operation
Began operation March 7, 1909 (1909-03-07)
Operator(s) Architect of the Capitol
Number of vehicles 7
System map

The subway system of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. consists of three underground electric people mover systems that connect the United States Capitol to the House and Senate office buildings.

History

The original subway line was built in 1909 to link the Russell Senate Office Building to the Capitol.[1] In 1960, an operator-controlled monorail was installed for the Dirksen Senate Office Building.[2] A two-car subway line connecting the Rayburn House Office Building to the Capitol was built in 1965.[3][4] The Dirksen monorail, which had been extended to the Hart Senate Office Building in 1982, was replaced in 1993 by an automatic train.[1][2]

Network

Subway terminals shown on Capitol basement floor plan

On the House side, an older manned two-track system, with a single open-topped car operating on each track, shuttles passengers between the Rayburn House Office Building and the Capitol. On the Senate side, two separate subway systems exist. The first is similar to the one found on the House side. It connects the Russell Senate Office Building and the Capitol. The other is a computer-controlled system with three trains of three cars each that connects the Hart Senate Office Building, Dirksen Senate Office Building, and the Capitol. It is propelled by a track-side linear motor, while the train cars are unpowered. This line is mostly two-tracked but at the Hart and Capitol stations the tracks converge into one, with a single side platform. This allows easy return travel on the opposite track. The Dirksen station features a side platform for Capitol-bound trains and an island platform for Hart-bound trains. All three of these stations feature platform screen doors. A small maintenance spur is located adjacent to the Hart station. The House and Senate subway systems do not terminate in the same location under the Capitol, but they are connected by a labyrinth of tunnels.

Security

U.S. Capitol Subway between the U.S. Capitol Building and the Dirksen Senate Office Building
U.S. Capitol Subway to the Russell Senate Office Building

The systems are open to public insofar as members of the public must be escorted by a staff member with proper identification. This is usually during a tour of the Capitol Complex. However, during votes, the House subway is restricted to Congressional members. The Russell subway is restricted to members and staff during times when the Senate is voting.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, restrictions have been placed on visitors using the Senate subway between the Hart and Dirksen buildings.

Collisions

A collision occurred on October 2, 2007, in the Rayburn to Capitol subway line when a car failed to slow down when it reached the end of the track line. The operator was injured and taken to a hospital for observation.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Kessler, Ronald (1998). Inside Congress: The Shocking Scandals, Corruption, and Abuse of Power Behind the Scenes on Capitol Hill. Simon & Schuster. pp. 13–14. ISBN 0-671-00386-0. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  2. 1 2 Alexovich, Ariel (May 31, 2006). "The not-so-seedy underworld of Capitol Hill". Roll Call. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  3. ↑ "The Rayburn House Office Building". Architect of the Capitol. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Capitol Clinker". Time. January 15, 1965. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  5. ↑ Yehle, Emily (October 4, 2007). "Subway Accident Injures One". Roll Call. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
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