Original version of Randi Miller WMATA door chimes

The original version of the door announcements recorded for Metro by Randi Miller was significantly more forceful than the version that was eventually rolled out to the remainder of the fleet in May 2006. The original version was deployed only to a select number of CAF cars on a test basis two months ahead of the main deployment. However, those CAF cars with the original version of the announcement were not replaced.

This movie was taken on CAF 5101, shown here running as an Orange Line train at Farragut West.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• washington
• metropolitan
• area
• transit
• authority
• wmata
• train
• metrorail
• schumin
• web
• schuminweb
• doors
• opening
• closing

[AMD1]

was there ever a model that did not have a chime? before I moved away from dc I boarded a car that did not have a chime, or a blinky light. if I recall it did not have a grill for a speaker ether. but i am not 100% sure.

[schuminweb]

@AMD1 Prior to 1996, no WMATA rail cars had door-open chimes. The first "doors opening" message was introduced in 1996 with the Sandy Carroll version of the chimes. Also, the 5000-Series (intro 2001) was the first car class to have flashing lights over the doors. The 1000 through 4000-Series cars as built did not have those lights. Likewise, the 1000 through 4000-Series cars did not originally have external speakers. All but the 4000-Series have since been retrofitted, however.

[eaglehockey16]

Is that Washington Subway ?

[schuminweb]

@eaglehockey16 Correct. WMATA = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Thus WMATA = DC Metro.

[LlanFair22]

this is the second version of this chime this is only played during rush hour for pushy commuters

[schuminweb]

@LlanFair22 Actually, this was the first chime, rolled out on a test basis on certain 5000-Series cars. However, when the final, less-pushy chime was rolled out across the entire fleet, the cars with the original chime were not updated. From what I can tell, the original chimes are on 5080-5081, 5100-5101, and 5178-5179.

[ILLINOISLOYALTY1]

the guy with the phone looks so sketchy 

[schuminweb]

@ineedabuspass Actually, I think that this new door chime was aimed at the regulars, not the tourists. The regulars are the ones who will crowd the doors and treat the chime like a yellow light. I've noticed that tourists generally just try to find a seat and otherwise have room to breathe.

[ineedabuspass]

I just miss the original chime which sounds similar to the NYC subway system. But then again, I guess tourists in DC need it fed to them when the doors are actually closing. Its sooooo annoying.

[Roboboy]

@jammes122 Indeed, I wish more metro systems had forceful announcements like this. In Boston, most trains don't even have automated announcements and the gentle reminders by conductors (when they remember to do so) are barely audible. Often I've found myself stuck at the door, and often I've found myself the asshole yelling at people to move into the car (with plenty of space...).