WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail officials have requested permission to return up to 27 more 7000-series trainsets to service, while decreasing the frequency of inspections for wheel issues, the Washington Post reports.
If granted, the request to the independent Washington Metrorail Safety Commission would mean operation of as many as 35 of the Kawasaki-built trainsets — sidelined since last October because of a problem that causes wheels to shift on their axles.
Eight of the trainsets were returned to operation more than a month ago under the stipulation that the equipment was inspected daily for the wheel defect [see “DC Metrorail returns some 7000-series cars to service,” Trains News Wire, June 16, 2022]. The safety commission was told during a meeting this week that no sign of the defect has been detected.
A Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority spokesman said the agency is confident that inspection at seven-day intervals “provides an ample safety margin to detect any wheel movement before it becomes a safety issue.”
The 7000-series trainsets make up about 60% of the Metrorail fleet. Their removal from service has led to reduced operating frequency across the Metrorail system.
Still no indication of why it happened. The why could allow all cars to re enter service if it was an identified cause..