Metro interim GM Jack Requa delivering remarks on Metro derailment live on @NewsChannel8 pic.twitter.com/fl6EbecKsN
— Jeff Goldberg (@jgoldbergABC7) August 12, 2015
A Metro train derailment between the Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stations delayed tens of thousands of commuters last Thursday. Almost a week after the incident, Metro officials finally disclosed that the cause of the derailment was wide gauge, which means that the rails were aligned wider than they should have been. The Metro CEO Jack Requa said that the infrastructure issue was discovered on July 9, but was not repaired quickly enough. The Metro has ordered a system wide inspection of every mile of track.
Because the train that derailed wasn't serving passengers at the time, no one was injured. While there was minor damage to the rail cars, there was no impact on the tunnels or rails, according to The Washington Post. After the incident, there were no trains running between the Federal Center and McPherson Square stations. Because the derailment caused delays on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines, the Metro issued both an apology and refund to affected commuters. The Metro also offered free bus rides in the downtown area and shuttle buses at the affected Metro stops.
· Trains are now single-tracking, two stations still closed, after derailment [The Washington Post]