Purple Line trains are now undergoing live-wire testing in Montgomery County, including in Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Lyttonsville, as the long-awaited light rail project moves closer to completion.
The Maryland Transit Administration announced in July that it had begun live-wire testing of Purple Line light rail vehicles between the Lyttonsville Operations and Maintenance Facility and the Purple Line Bethesda Station. The testing marked the first time Purple Line vehicles had undergone live-wire testing in Montgomery County.
According to MTA, construction of the Purple Line was 90% complete at the time of the announcement, with all rail tracks installed as of early May.
Testing is taking place along approximately 2.5 miles of dedicated track, beginning in Lyttonsville and continuing through Chevy Chase and Bethesda. During live-wire testing, systems engineers and trained operators evaluate overall system functionality, including track integrity and electrical systems, while operators test acceleration and braking at varying speeds. Horns and bells may also be tested periodically.
MTA said the testing initially took place overnight from 9pm to 5am before progressing to weekdays from 7am to 7pm. The agency reminded residents not to walk on the tracks or station platforms, noting that Purple Line trains are relatively quiet and produce approximately the same amount of noise as cars and trucks.
At the time of the announcement, live-wire testing was underway in four of the seven sections of the Purple Line alignment. Crews had also completed installation of all 1,187 overhead wire poles that support the power lines used by the trains.
The 16-mile Purple Line will include 21 stations between Bethesda and New Carrollton. The line will provide connections to Metro’s Red, Green, Yellow, Orange and Silver lines, as well as MARC, Amtrak and local bus services.
