Testing will begin along Phase 2 of the Silver Line early in the morning on Feb. 6 with two two-car trains moving from the Wiehle-Reston Metrorail station to the Innovation Station.
The entire 23-mile project is being built in two phases by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and operated by the Metropolitan Washington Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Phase 1 of the Silver Line opened in July 2014 and connected East Falls Church with Tysons Corner and Reston, Va., with downtown Washington, D.C., and Largo, Md. Phase 2 construction began in 2014 and will connect the eastern edge of Reston to Washington Dulles International Airport and to Ashburn in eastern Loudoun County.
The two initial testing trains will be used to polish the third rail in order to remove rust that can accumulate on infrequently used rails. MWAA explains that because the third rail will not be electrified during this portion of the test, the trains will be pushed by a small diesel locomotive.
After the trains have moved and are in place at Innovation Station, the third rail will be electrified between Innovation Center Station and Dulles International Airport, where trains will be used to remove accumulated rust from the third rail in that area.
When this work is complete, dynamic testing will begin with two additional trains equipped for safe-braking tests. This process is required before the rail line begins commercial operation, according to Charles Stark, senior vice president of MWAA.
This work, which project officials consider a significant milestone, will continue for several months.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
