A Metro train’s cars uncoupled shortly after noon on Friday.

Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

Update 10/21

An improperly torqued bolt was the cause of a train de-coupling on the Red Line earlier this month, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission says.

“The lack of damage to certain parts of the rail car suggests that the clamping bolt likely worked its way loose over time,” WMSC CEO David Mayer said.

Metro had pulled the 6000-series trains out of service to inspect the coupling units and 18 of 166 inspected had potential concerns, three had incorrect hardware.

WMSC also found that Metro employees had tampered with the evidence before the investigation.

“Our review of the coupler assembly the morning after the pull apart showed Metro had not followed its own investigative procedures regarding the chain of custody for evidence,” Mayer said. “A bolt had been torqued after the event without approval from WMATA’s Safety Department and the WMSC.”

Mayer said they’ve found issues with the chain of custody of evidence or inappropriate handling of evidence related to Metrorail safety events before.

The Safety Commission issued a corrective action plan to address that issue.

Updated 7:54 p.m.

Two railcars on a Metro Red Line train uncoupled near Union Station on Friday afternoon.

The train, which was headed from Union Station toward NoMa-Gallaudet U, experienced an “undesired uncoupling” between its second and third cars around 12:21 p.m., according to Metro spokesperson Sherri Ly.

Shortly before 2 p.m., first responders began escorting people off the train, Ly said. Before the train was fully evacuated, passengers were stuck for about two hours.

One hundred and three passengers were evacuated and no serious injuries were reported. D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene north of the station. Spokesperson Vito Maggiolo tells DCist that Metro personnel put out a small fire involving a rail tie, and determined there was no derailment.

Fire and EMS responders assisted Metro in evacuating the passengers, placing safety devices at both ends of the train, and escorted them on foot to Union Station, where two passengers were evaluated. The passengers were cleared and the incident was terminated.

Ly says the cause of the incident is under investigation. Red Line service is temporarily suspended between Gallery Place and Rhode Island Avenue. Shuttle buses are being provided and Metrobus service is available.

This story has been updated with additional information.

Filed Under: Metro Red Line,