Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 9, 2008

Hundreds of customers on board train that derailed

A six-car Orange Line train headed toward Vienna with several hundred customers on board derailed at about 2:45 p.m. today. Customers were taken off Train 905 and taken by a second train to the Court House station, where they exited or continued their trips at about 4:25 p.m. There were no reports of injuries.

“Our first concern was for the safety of our passengers,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “We wanted to get them off the derailed train and get medical attention to anyone who needed it. Fortunately, there were no injuries.” 

Car 2000, the third car of Train 905, experienced the derailment between Rosslyn and Court House Metrorail stations when the front wheels came off the track.

Trains continue to share one track (single-tracking) between Clarendon and Foggy Bottom Metrorail stations. The Blue Line is operating regular service.

Free shuttle buses are operating at Foggy Bottom, Virginia Square and Court House Metrorail stations along the Orange Line. Customers can expect lengthy delays as they wait for shuttle buses, which must move in rush-hour traffic.

Customers should also expect major delays on the Orange Line throughout the remainder of the evening.

Rail officials used a second train, called a rescue train, to get the passengers off the incident train by backing the rescue train up to train 905 to off-load the passengers.

Metro officials notified the Tri-State Oversight Committee and the National Transportation Safety Board of the incident.

“We will be calling our best people together from our Departments of Safety, Rail and Track to determine the cause of the derailment,” Catoe said. Officials expect it to take several days before they know the cause of the derailment.

News release issued at 5:03 pm, June 9, 2008.