irecokon, point and advice taken re SS pen and assuming charged status of the third rail. I know to always avoid the third rail, but I was clearly off re the test idea. Many thanx. AKSAR, thanx also for the link to the DC Metro safety guide. Useful reading and some good general advice. I'm going to search for a similar guide for the NYC subway and NY NJ PA PATH trains. Chaosmagnet, thanx also, albeit I knew that and was concentrating my post on the " need to evac" scenario.