Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 4, 2009

Major delays continue on Orange, Blue Lines throughout the morning

Track equipment derailed shortly before system opened

Customers on the Orange and Blue Lines can expect major delays this morning due to a piece of track equipment that derailed shortly before the rail system’s 5 a.m. opening near the Cheverly Metrorail station today, March 4. The incident damaged several hundred feet of the outbound track, which is currently in the process of being repaired.

Trains are single-tracking (sharing one track) between the Cheverly and Stadium-Armory Metrorail stations until the repairs are made. Customers can expect delays of 30 minutes or more throughout the morning. Repairs are expected to take many hours due to the extensive damage to the tracks, including the electrified third rail, which is the rail that provides the electricity to power the trains.

News release issued at 8:03 am, March 4, 2009.