For the first time, an actual Metro railcar has started to appear on the Silver Line. Construction crews are pulling it along the tracks, checking to make sure there are no obstructions. Test trains will be a common sight through the rest of the construction period, until opening day late in 2013.

Overall construction of Phase 1 is 87% complete, and the tracks themselves are essentially done. The last 13% is mostly to stations and electrical equipment.

Photo by Leslie Pereira of Dulles Transit Partners.