Updated at 5:45 p.m. — A Metro spokeswoman says the incident described below was a brake issue with a train.
According to Sherri Ly: “There was no ‘evacuation.’ The train was offloaded due to a brake issue… The train was taken out of service and the customers were able to board the next train.
“There was no electrical issue and the smell is not an electrical smell, it’s the smell of hot brakes – similar to if you are riding your brakes in your car.”
Earlier: A day after the Metrorail system was shut down due to the risk of electrical fires on the tracks, an apparent brake or electrical issue has prompted the evacuation of a train at the Rosslyn Metro station.
Numerous riders, including a reporter who occasionally freelances for ARLnow.com, reported the incident on Twitter.
We’re told that the train’s conductor was initially skeptical when riders began pressing the emergency button, but the train was offloaded shortly thereafter as it filled with smoke.
Metro described the incident as a “train malfunction” and said riders should expect some residual delays. A haze and an electrical smell was reported throughout the station following the malfunction.
#Metro train held in tunnel before Rosslyn and my car got hazy, smelling like brake/electrical burning. Offloaded at Rosslyn
— Katie Pyzyk (@_PyintheSky) March 17, 2016
Just got off the train in Rosslyn because it started filling with smoke. #wmata
— Josh Stafford (@jstaff) March 17, 2016
SL train towards largo started filling with smoke. Offloaded at Rosslyn. I'm afraid to take metro again #wmata
— Joel Smithey (@Joel_Smithey) March 17, 2016
Apparently there is smoke coming from trains at the Rosslyn Metro Station. #wmata #WMATAshutdown
— Nick Hawatmeh (@HawatmehNick) March 17, 2016
Smoke in our metro car #1110.Train taken out service when we reported thru emergency button, after attitude from conductor. @unsuckdcmetro
— Tom Karako (@tomkarako) March 17, 2016
File photo by Chris Rief