(The Associated Press circulated the following on July 6, 2010.)
NEWARK, N.J. — Extreme heat is keeping trains from running on time on heavily traveled lines in the Northeast.
Temperatures soared above 100 degrees across the region Tuesday. Such hot weather can make power lines droop and rails expand, requiring slower travel.
New Jersey Transit says its commuter trains are running 20 to 30 minutes late and some have been canceled. Commuter trains in the Philadelphia area also face possible delays.
Amtrak says it’s putting technicians aboard trains and storing rescue locomotives every 30 to 50 miles in case of problems.
Amtrak says it had 15- to 20-minute delays Tuesday afternoon between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., because two commuter trains stalled due to electrical problems. Spokeswoman Vernae Graham says it’s not immediately known if those problems were heat-related.