Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 26, 2007

Rail flaws continue to cause minor delays on parts of the Red Line

Repairs to continue tonight and into weekend

Metrorail passengers will experience minor delays today on parts of the Red Line in Montgomery County, Md, and the District of Columbia due to ongoing work needed to replace pieces of flawed track.

Track workers will be installing new sections of rail at several locations while the rail system is closed. That work will be completed overnight and into the weekend. Until the repairs are made, trains will be operating at slower speed for safety.

Ongoing ultrasonic testing of the rails detected the flaws last night in sections of track at the Forest Glen, Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations. Track repairs are continuing between the Medical Center and Friendship Heights stations. In these locations, trains are moving at a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour, instead of 44 miles per hour until repairs can be made in these locations.

The defects were detected by a special machine operated by Sperry Rail Services. The machine rides the rails and uses ultrasonic testing to detect cracks or other flaws. This type of inspection is conducted fives times a year, which is more than double the number of inspections from three years ago. Track inspectors also visually inspect the rails twice a week to ensure the reliability and safety of the rail system.

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News release issued at 12:00 am, October 26, 2007.