National Transportation Safety Board

Railroad Accident Report: Collision Between Two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Trains at the Woodley Park-zoo / Adams Morgan Station in Washington, D.c. November 3, 2004 National Transportation Safety Board

On Wednesday, November 3, 2004, about 12:49 p.m., eastern standard time, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail train 703 collided with train 105 at the Woodley Park-Zoo/ Adams Morgan station in Washington, D. C. Train 703 was traveling outbound on the Red-Line segment of the Metrorail system and ascending the grade between the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and the Cleveland Park underground stations, when it rolled backwards about 2,246 feet and struck train 105 at a speed of about 36 mph. Train 703 was operating as a nonrevenue train; that is, it was not carrying passengers. Train 105, a revenue train, was in the process of discharging and loading passengers at the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station. There were about 70 passengers on board train 105. Some passengers had exited the train just before or during the collision. The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service transported about 20 persons to local hospitals. Estimated property damages were $3,463,183.