(The Associated Press circulated the following article on August 25.)
NEW YORK –Amtrak riders between New York and Boston can expect lengthy delays and canceled trains as the rail service tries to repair overhead power lines that were badly damaged by a freight train derailment in the South Bronx.
According to a statement released by Amtrak on Wednesday, all Acela and Metroliner trains scheduled to operate between Boston and New York were canceled through Thursday. In addition, Amtrak’s 18 regional trains between the two cities were operating on a regular schedule — but with delays of up to 45 minutes while traveling between Penn Station in Manhattan and New Haven.
Due to the electrical outage, Amtrak was using diesel engines to keep service running. Amtrak runs nine northbound and nine southbound trains between Boston and New York each day. The 45-minute delays were also expected to run through at least Thursday, Amtrak said.
The statement added that the Tuesday morning derailment inflicted extensive damage to the overhead wires, and it was unclear how long repairs would take. Amtrak’s best estimate on Wednesday was “a prolonged period of time,” although the railroad planned to reassess the situation and issue an updated prognosis on Thursday afternoon.
A CSX freight train derailed at 7:15 a.m. in the Oak Point Yard, blocking some tracks and damaging the lines. The tracks owned by CSX run adjacent to the tracks for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor service.
On Tuesday, all service between Penn Station and New Haven was suspended.