WMATA news release:
UPDATE: Orange and Silver line service changes to continue through end-of-day Sunday as derailment investigation, repairs continue
After a full assessment of the track and infrastructure following Friday’s train derailment Metro is advising customers that service will remain suspended between West Falls Church/McLean and Ballston through the end of the day Sunday to allow for a thorough investigation and allow for necessary repairs.
Normal service is expected to resume when Metrorail opens at 5 a.m. Monday morning.
Customers traveling to or from stations west of Ballston are encouraged to use alternate travel modes if possible. Metro will continue to provide free shuttle buses between Ballston, East Falls Church, West Falls Church and McLean stations until rail service is restored.
Orange Line trains are operating in two segments: between Vienna and West Falls Church, and between Ballston and New Carrollton. Silver Line trains are operating between Wiehle-Reston East and McLean, and between Ballston and Largo Town Center.
The derailment occurred at 6:15 a.m. Friday. Two cars of a westbound Silver Line train derailed as the train was passing through a track crossing on approach to East Falls Church Station.
Late Friday night workers used specialized equipment, including cranes and re-railing machines, to safely remove the derailed cars from the scene. Once the cars were removed, it was determined that the derailment caused a portion of track to shift, resulting in damage to the interlocking tracks and related infrastructure.
Work will continue around the clock through the weekend to repair the damage including:
- Replacing about 200 feet of running rail
- Rebuilding 150 feet of electrified third rail
- Replacement of two track crossings at the interlocking
- Removal and replacement of approximately 200 wooden cross ties that hold the rail in place
Once repairs are completed, the area will undergo a comprehensive inspection utilizing track geometry equipment, as well as a quality assurance inspection. Metro will then run several "test trains" over the track prior to restoring passenger service.
Metro will continue to provide updates directly to customers via MetroAlerts email and text messages, as well as on Twitter @metrorailinfo. To sign up for MetroAlerts, visit wmata.com/metroalerts.
News release issued at 1:02 pm, July 30, 2016.