A Metro train derailment near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station Friday did not injure any passengers but did cause rail traffic to stop between the airport station and Potomac Yard.
At around 11 a.m. Friday, a Blue Line 7000-series train derailed near the airport Metro station while heading southbound toward Potomac Yard on its way to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager Randy Clarke said at a press conference.
After reviewing onboard video from the train, officials found that a component from another train that fell on the tracks caused the derailment.
The 7000 series is the newest model in the Metrorail fleet. The trains were removed from service in 2021 after a Blue Line derailment revealed mechanical issues.
There were 43 passengers onboard when the train derailed on Friday, Mr. Clarke said. They were picked up by another train by 11:30 a.m. while regular traffic stopped.
Reagan National Airport and Potomac Yard are serviced by the Blue and Yellow lines. Shuttle bus service was initially started to help customers get around the blockage between the stations. WMATA officials said on X that single tracking between the stations resumed at 12:49 p.m.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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