Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 7, 2003

Metrorail Rodeo winners named

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority today named the winners of the 9th Annual Metrorail Rodeo held Saturday, May 3 at the Greenbelt Rail Yard.

The first through third place train operator winners respectively were as follows: First Place " Ronald O. Dewes of Takoma Park, MD; Second Place: James W. Coleman of Adelphi, MD; and Franklin L. Easton of Springdale, MD.

The first through third place rail mechanics team winners included the following individuals:

First Place " Sayeed Dean, Brand Loney, and Royce Wist, all residents of Silver Spring, Maryland, and employees at the Greenbelt Rail Yard;

Second Place " Brian Bantz of Louis, Virginia; Fred Barry of Falls Church, Virginia; and Barry Marsh of Chantilly, Virginia, employees at the West Falls Church Rail Yard; and

Third Place " Lomar Cowan of Landover, Maryland; Kevin Mack of Accokeek, Maryland; and Charles Morris of Washington, DC, employees at the Landover Rail Yard.

Individual Metrorail operators and three-member mechanics teams competed in various categories of rail operations and car maintenance events.

" This rodeo gave rail employees a chance to showcase the skills they use everyday to provide exemplary, safe, and reliable service to our customers, the hallmarks which make Metro one of the best rail systems in the nation," stated Lem Proctor, Chief Operating Officer for Rail.

In one of the events, operators demonstrated how well they operate a train, including their focus on making clear and effective train announcements. They were also judged on how well they were able to stop a train without touching an obstacle, represented by orange cones on the track. In another event, mechanics troubleshot " problems," with trains hoisted in the air for mechanics to go beneath to make the necessary " repairs."

Operators and mechanics were judged on professional appearance, and both groups took a written test in addition to demonstrating their skills in timed events.

With refreshments and music rounding out the competition, the event also represented fun for family and friends of the competitors. For the second year in a row, the added feature of the rail rodeo was the display of vintage and custom automobiles and motorcycles by Metro employees who are also car buffs.

In addition, McGruff the Crime Dog, Metro Transit Police Department’s Metrorail robot, and safety displays were also available for to provide information and entertainment to attendees.

The first and second place rail operator and first place mechanics team will compete in the International Rail Rodeo, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, in San Jose, California, from June 4 to June 8, 2003.

News release issued on May 7, 2003.