MARC train and maintenance vehicle collide in Silver Spring

A MARC commuter train collided into a train track maintenance vehicle in Silver Spring Monday afternoon.

The crash happened while the truck was on the tracks nearby Seminary Road and Forest Glen Road at around 4:45 p.m.

Montgomery County police say there were 620 passengers onboard MARC Train 875, but no injuries have been reported, including the truck driver.

All train service on MARC's Brunswick Line was suspended after the collision, but service was restored just after 7 p.m. Monday. Train 875 remained stopped on the tracks between Silver Spring and Kensington, but passengers were transferred onto a rescue train Monday evening to proceed on to their destination.

Battalion Chief Daniel Ogren, a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman, said crews checked the train several times and found no one among the 620 passengers and crew members who was injured. One person who initially complained about being hurt refused to be taken to a hospital, Ogren said. The truck driver also refused treatment, he said.

The collision occurred at an at-grade crossing, Ogren said. The maintenance vehicle is owned by CSX and can operate on the road or on the tracks. It was in the process of attaching to the rails on an adjacent track when it was struck, he said.

A 20-minute commute turned into a nearly two-hour ride home for Aaron Workan and scores of train passengers that were delayed.

"I got on racing to get on this last train, so I won't be able to catch my kids tonight," said Workan.

The accident happened at the onset of rush hour halting service and prompting rolling backups between Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Kensington.

"It was a little bit late, but things happen," said Jose Gasimove.

In Gaithersburg, Cassie Goodman found a way to help pass the time by.

"Just crocheting something that was in my bag," she said.

Goodman and about half dozen others waited and waited at the Gaithersburg station.

While many found alternative routes, Goodman had no option and she wasn't alone.

"If it takes six hours, I'll wait six hours," said Goodman.

Paul Shepard, spokesman for the Maryland Transit Administration, says the climate control is working on the train. The temperature was 94 degrees at Reagan National Airport in Washington about the time of the collision, according to the National Weather Service.

Shepard says the Brunswick line has about 8,000 passengers per day. While travel on the line is suspended, he said, passengers can take the Metro to Shady Grove and then Ride On buses to other stations.

Despite the service disruption, trains on the Brunswick Line will operate as scheduled on Tuesday.

Goodale says hazardous-material crews were on the scene cleaning up spilled diesel fuel and roads were closed in the area.

Information from The Associated Press used in this report.