Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 27, 2006

Red Line Delayed This Morning

Riders traveling on the Red Line encountered significant delays this morning in the direction of Glenmont after a six-car train to Silver Spring experienced a brake problem between the Tenleytown and Van Ness-UDC Metrorail stations at 7:10 a.m. As a result of the mechanical problem, a second train was used to push the first train into the Van Ness-UDC station. Both trains were then removed from service. During the delay, two Red Line trains were single-tracked between Van Ness-UDC and Friendship Heights.

As a result of the earlier delays between Tenleytown and Van Ness-UDC, customers may have experienced slower service returning to Grosvenor-Strathmore and Shady Grove, because the earlier trains that were caught up in the 7:10 a.m. delay were making their final rush hour trips.

Adding to the residual delays was the discovery of a broken electrified third rail at about 9:30 a.m. just north of the Tenleytown Metrorail station. Metro officials imposed a temporary speed restriction on trains that needed to pass through that area for about 20 minutes, causing minor delays along that stretch of the line. The broken electrified third rail was discovered by track inspectors during a routine inspection.

Red Line trains were previously scheduled to share one track from Friendship Heights and Medical Center for regular maintenance between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, but that maintenance work has been be re-directed to the area between Van Ness-UDC and Friendship Heights, while personnel make the third rail repairs. The work will be complete before the afternoon rush hour.

News release issued on February 27, 2006.