This article was published more than 5 years ago

Metro trains are no longer sharing a track after an earlier problem. But some delays remain.

Red Line: No longer single tracking. Residual delays continue in both directions due to an earlier track problem outside Medical Center.

Richard L. Jordan, a Metro spokesman, said in an email that “multiple arcing insulators” near the Medical Center stop that caused the earlier problem.

Arcing on a track happens when stray electrical current from the rail’s third rail finds another path to the ground, usually because of puddled water, mud or dirt. When electrical arcing incidents happen, they can lead to track fires. And at times, smoke — and sometimes fire — can be seen or reported.

Bad news for Metro riders: Arcing insulators are back with a vengeance

An insulator on a Metro rail track on the Red Line caused delays Friday morning for riders, officials said.

In a Twitter message, Pete Piringer — a spokesman for Montgomery County Fire, said the situation was “under control” and that there were no injuries.

Update - WMATA ERT located issue w/ insulator on track, handles it & situation under control, no injuries https://t.co/3sO9bjybuc

Earlier in the morning, the situation had started as a report of a possible fire on the tracks but after crews got on the scene they figured out it was a troubled insulator.

But there are delays for riders. Trains are sharing a track between the Grosvenor and Medical Center stops.

A Montgomery County Fire department official said no fire was found after an earlier report along the Red Line outside the Medical Center stop. But trains on the line continue to share a track and riders should expect delays.

Update - Medical Center Metro, Report of smoke in tunnel, no smoke visible at platform or in tunnel (exhaust fans on), train in tunnel has moved on to Grosvenor, no fire or medical emergency, WMATA Emergency response team (ERT) on the scene pic.twitter.com/4mRthXGOAk

Trains are sharing a track between the Grosvenor and Medical Center stops. It is not clear how long the delays, which are in both directions of the line, will last.

Metro said trains on its Red Line are sharing a track because of a possible fire on the track outside the Medical Center stop. It is not clear how long the delays will last.

Red Line: Single tracking btwn Grosvenor & Medical Center due to a track problem outside Medical Center. Delays in both directions.

.@unsuckdcmetro Helpful sign. pic.twitter.com/pM7ULf5bd0

Original post at 8:25 a.m.

Riders on Metro’s Red Line should expect delays for Friday morning’s commute because of a possible fire on the track outside the Medical Center stop.

Medical Center Metro, 8800blk Rockville Pike, FFs investigating unknown fire on track,

Red Line: Expect delays in both directions due to a track problem outside Medical Center.

It is not clear how long the delays will last.