(The Associated Press circulated the following story on July 25.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Trains on four MARC and VRE lines have resumed service after a communications failure brought them to a halt earlier this afternoon.
The MARC Brunswick and Camden Lines were affected, as were the Manassas and Fredericksburg Lines of the Virginia Railway Express.
VRE had already activated its bus plan, and will keep it running through tonight’s rush hour. Passengers going to Manassas Park, Manassas and Broad Run should take Metro’s Orange Line to West Falls Church for a bus. All other passengers need to take the Blue Line to Franconia-Springfield for a bus.
Subway rides will be free for passengers with VRE tickets.
The problem was caused by freight carrier CSX, which suffered what’s described as a major signal communication failure. CSX had lost communication with all signals and switches in the Washington region.
The MARC Penn Line, operated by Amtrak, was not affected.