Broken Rail Had Been Inspected Recently, Metro Safety Official Says
The section of Metro track that failed Monday had been visually inspected three times this month, once in August and once also in October, a rail system official said Tuesday.
Track failure remains the likely cause of Monday’s Metro derailment, but the transit system is examining other causes, said the official, Pat Lavin, Metro’s chief safety officer.
Red Line: No longer single tracking. Residual delays continue in both directions following derailment repairs outside Farragut North.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) January 16, 2018
Red Line customers: Single tracking likely tomorrow morning (1/16/2018) as re-railing effort continues. Plan additional travel time. Trains will run every 10 minutes between Shady Grove & Glenmont. #wmata
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) January 15, 2018
Red Line: Train service suspended btwn Dupont Circle & Gallery Place due to a train derailment outside Farragut North. Shuttles available.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) January 15, 2018
Red Line service remains suspended between Dupont Circle & Judiciary Sq due to a train derailment outside Farragut North. Bus shuttles bridging the following stations: Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Metro Center (upper level), Gallery Place (upper level) and Judiciary Sq. #wmata
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) January 15, 2018
“Based on preliminary evidence collected at the scene the focus still remains on track and infrastructure,” Lavin said.
The area was not subject to Metro’s extensive SafeTrack maintenance program, which lasted much of last year, Lavin said.
The rail has been sent for forensic and metallurgical testing, he said.
The rail car will be studied for mechanical failures, he said.
County Executive Ike Leggett and Council President Hans Riemer both said the derailment was a sign that Metro needed dedicated funding to pay for the extensive maintenance the 40-year-old subway needs. Here are interviews with both county leaders:
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