A Metrorail work train collision occurred at Metro Center Station after a DC work train moved beyond its authorized area. The National Transportation Safety Board cited that point in its preliminary report on the April 22, 2026, incident. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Metrorail work train collision exceeded limit
Photo: NTSB

The collision happened at about 12:15 a.m. Three crew members and seven passengers were taken to hospitals with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Also, the Metrorail train involved was the final Silver Line train operating that day, as Trains.com reported in its earlier coverage of the incident.

NTSB preliminary report on movement authority

The work train was made up of a diesel-powered “prime mover” vehicle and one flatcar. It had been cleared to move eastbound on track 1 of the two-track line. It was supposed to stop at McPherson Square Station, according to Trains.com. Instead, while making a shove move, it continued beyond McPherson Square and proceeded through a curve on the underground section.

As the work train exited the curve, the crew member at the leading end of the flatcar saw the stopped train ahead. The crew member radioed the prime mover operator to stop. The operator applied emergency braking while the train was moving at about 28 mph. Still, it was traveling at roughly 24 mph when the impact occurred.

That placed the collision site approximately 1,800 feet beyond the work train’s authorized movement limit.

The NTSB investigation remains ongoing.

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