by jerryinva
FROM THE WASHINGTON POST:
Orange Line Train Derails in Va.
By Lena H. Sun
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 9, 2008; 4:38 PM
An Orange Line train heading toward Vienna derailed at 2:45 p.m. today in the tunnel between the Rosslyn and Courthouse stations, Metro officials said. The third car of a six-car train derailed, slowing traffic on Metro's second busiest line just before the start of afternoon rush hour.
Emergency crews are on the scene.
Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said they had received no reports of injury, but a passenger in a wheelchair had to be helped from the car that derailed. Metro sent a rescue train into the tunnel that picked up the passengers and brought them out to the Courthouse Station about 4:25 p.m.
The train was reportedly fully loaded so it was estimated to be carrying at least 480 people.
Nina Janopaul, 50, who was in the second-to-last car, said passengers heard a loud screeching, "a bad smell, like rubber burning, and the train started and stopped a couple of times between Rosslyn and Courthouse." Speaking on her cell phone from aboard the train at 3:45 p.m., she said she and others in her crowded rail car were being escorted through the train by Arlington County firefighters to the rescue train. She described the passengers as calm, with some riders laughing and cheerful.
Farbstein said she did not know whether heat was a factor in today's incident. The tracks between Rosslyn and Courthouse are underground so they are less likely to be affected by the soaring outside temperatures.
Trains are sharing a single track between Clarendon and Foggy Bottom. Blue Line trains are operating, but Metro is warning riders to expect major delays on the Orange Line today. Farbstein said free shuttle buses will be operating at Foggy Bottom, Virginia Square and Court House Metrorail stations along the Orange Line.
The rail car that derailed is one of the 2000 series of cars, one of the older models.
Orange Line Train Derails in Va.
By Lena H. Sun
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 9, 2008; 4:38 PM
An Orange Line train heading toward Vienna derailed at 2:45 p.m. today in the tunnel between the Rosslyn and Courthouse stations, Metro officials said. The third car of a six-car train derailed, slowing traffic on Metro's second busiest line just before the start of afternoon rush hour.
Emergency crews are on the scene.
Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said they had received no reports of injury, but a passenger in a wheelchair had to be helped from the car that derailed. Metro sent a rescue train into the tunnel that picked up the passengers and brought them out to the Courthouse Station about 4:25 p.m.
The train was reportedly fully loaded so it was estimated to be carrying at least 480 people.
Nina Janopaul, 50, who was in the second-to-last car, said passengers heard a loud screeching, "a bad smell, like rubber burning, and the train started and stopped a couple of times between Rosslyn and Courthouse." Speaking on her cell phone from aboard the train at 3:45 p.m., she said she and others in her crowded rail car were being escorted through the train by Arlington County firefighters to the rescue train. She described the passengers as calm, with some riders laughing and cheerful.
Farbstein said she did not know whether heat was a factor in today's incident. The tracks between Rosslyn and Courthouse are underground so they are less likely to be affected by the soaring outside temperatures.
Trains are sharing a single track between Clarendon and Foggy Bottom. Blue Line trains are operating, but Metro is warning riders to expect major delays on the Orange Line today. Farbstein said free shuttle buses will be operating at Foggy Bottom, Virginia Square and Court House Metrorail stations along the Orange Line.
The rail car that derailed is one of the 2000 series of cars, one of the older models.
