(The following article by Sean Gorman was posted on the White Plains Journal News website on August 23.)
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A freight train derailment in the south Bronx shut down Amtrak service today between Manhattan’s Pennsylvania Station and New Haven, Conn., diverting some extra passengers onto Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line.
Amtrak announced on it’s Web site today that service between New York City and New Haven had been suspended, but didn’t provide further details about the freight train wreck. The derailment of the CSX train diverted Amtrak passengers to the New Haven Line so they could continue on their journey. The commuter railroad is honoring Amtrak tickets, Metro-North spokeswoman Marjorie Anders said.
Those traveling on Amtrak from Boston to Washington, D.C., must catch a Metro-North train in New Haven heading for Grand Central Terminal, Anders said. Passengers then should proceed to Penn Station to pick up another Amtrak train. Those headed northeast on an Amtrak train should take a Metro-North train to New Haven, where they can pick up another Amtrak train, Anders said.
“Our customer service representatives down in the terminal are helping people, particularly people who look lost with luggage,” Anders said.
Anders said the derailment occurred around 7:30 this morning. She said Metro-North trains have sufficient capacity to handle the extra Amtrak passengers.
“It hasn’t been terribly crowded (on Metro-North trains),” Anders said.
Amtrak officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Cliff Black, an Amtrak spokesman, told Bloomberg News that the derailment damaged hundreds of feet of overhead wires that power trains between Penn Station and New Haven. Amtrak’s Web site states that is providing limited service between New Haven and Boston.
Travelers seeking more information or who need help help changing their travel plans can contact Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL.