Red Line restored normal service before 5 p.m. after single-tracking trains between Takoma and NoMa-Gallaudet after a train struck a set of stairs at the Rhode Island Avenue station shortly after noon Friday.
The outbound train was departing the station when it struck metal service stairs at the end of the platform, Metro said. The train stopped about 100 yards from the platform. WMATA officials said the train did not derail.
How the stairs got loose and into the path of the train is under investigation, Metro said.
A signal box and metal railing along the side of the track sustained damage, Metro said.
Metro reported delays of about 10 minutes with potential for delays up to 20 minutes as rush hour approached.
Passengers described hearing a loud bang and said the train felt like it jumped, transportation reporter Adam Tuss said.
The train's 63 passengers were transferred to a second train via the bulkhead doors at the front of the train. They were assessed by D.C. Fire and EMS at the Brookland Station.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries. One woman apparently suffered an anxiety attack, Tuss reported.
Metro advised customers to use the Green Line as an alternate route between Fort Totten and Gallery Place during single-tracking.
Inset photo by News4 reporter @AdamTuss.