Orange Line Train Derails; Metro Girds for 'Major Delays'

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.: A westbound Orange Line train that was carrying a full load of passengers derailed in a tunnel earlier this afternoon, causing the transit agency to single-track the busy line for the evening rush while working to free commuters stuck on the disabled train.

There have been no reports of injuries, Metro says.

The derailment took place at 2:45 p.m. between the Court House and Rosslyn stations. Orange Line trains are sharing one track between Foggy Bottom and Clarendon, which officials warn will spawn "major delays ... throughout the remainder of the day."

In a press release, the transit agency says rail officials have sent a second train into the tunnel to offload passengers on the disabled train.

Shuttle buses are operating at Foggy Bottom, Virginia Square and Court House, but it could be slow-going there as well, Metro says: "Customers can expect lengthy delays as they wait for shuttle buses as they must move in rush hour traffic."

More than a dozen police and emergency vehicles, including Arlington County medical buses, are stationed outside the Court House stop, pictured at right. Their presence has led to a traffic backup along Clarendon Boulevard in Arlington.

» UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: This Metro alert, sent at 4:41 p.m., doesn't sound promising at all: "Due to a derailed train outside Court House station, rail service on the Orange Line has been significantly disrupted. Orange Line customers may need to seek an alternate form of travel."

» UPDATE 5:06 p.m.: Most of the emergency vehicles have left the Court House station. Fox 5 is reporting that commuters should expect delays of up to an hour on the Orange Line.

» UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: According to ABC7, there were 200 passengers on the disabled train. The passengers have been offloaded after spending an hour and a half on the train — with no air conditioning.

Photos by Greg Barber/Express