Amtrak: Expect modified train service in/out of NYC for 'foreseeable future' after derailment
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Train officials said modified and limited train service will continue in and out of NYC for the "foreseeable future" after Monday's derailment damaged a piece of equipment.
Amtrak said a switching machine was damaged, causing eight tracks at New York Penn Station to be inaccessible. Service cannot resume on those tracks until the repairs are made.
That leaves 13 of the 21 tracks at the train station in operation, and creates a bottleneck for NJ Transit, LIRR and Amtrak trains.
Amtrak officials said they're not sure how long it's going to take to complete the repairs. But both Amtrak and NJ Transit said to expect modified service at least through Thursday night.
** TRAIN CHANGES **
Here are the details released by each train service:
LIRR
As Amtrak crews continue to repair tracks damaged in Monday morning's derailment, the Long Island Rail Road will need to cancel 10 morning rush hour trains to Penn Station on Wednesday, terminate three others at Jamaica, and divert one other train to Hunterspoint Avenue, Queens.
The remaining LIRR trains to Penn Station could experience delays and crowding.
The LIRR will operate on near normal schedules to Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn, and Hunterspoint Avenue, Queens.
Full details HERE.
NJ TRANSIT
NJ Transit will continue on holiday schedule with some extra trains scheduled to help with crowds. Click here to find the schedule for your line.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 - AM SERVICE:
NJCL 5:45 a.m. from Bay Head
NJCL 6:59 a.m. from Bay Head
NEC 8:11 a.m. from New Brunswick
NEC 8:41 a.m. from New Brunswick
NEC 8:32 a.m. from Trenton (local stops except Jersey Ave.)
The following additional trains will operate outbound from PSNY:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 - PM SERVICE:
NEC 4:38 p.m. to Jersey Ave.
NEC 5:28 p.m. to Jersey Ave.
NJCL 5:38 p.m. to Bay Head
NEC 6:31 p.m. local to Trenton (including Jersey Ave. stop)
NJCL 6:38 p.m. to Bay Head
AMTRAK
Amtrak will operate a modified schedule on the Northeast Corridor through Thursday, April 6 due to a NJT incident that occurred at New York Penn Station Monday, April 3, which temporarily prompted the closure of several tracks at the station. Customers on trains arriving/departing New York Penn Station may experience delays up to 50 minutes during rush hours and up to 25 minutes during non-rush hours.
Due to reduced track capacity, the Northeast Regional service will operate a modified schedule with reduced frequencies between Washington, D.C. and New York, NY. To accommodate passengers during the modified schedule, Amtrak is providing some additional stops in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Empire Service and Keystone Service will also run on a modified schedule with some reduced frequencies.
All long distance trains that normally travel to and from the Northeast Corridor will maintain normally scheduled service.
PATH TRAINS
The Port Authority said it is adding additional trains on the PATH Hoboken-33rd Street and Journal Square-33rd Street lines during rush to help with the influx of riders.
WHAT HAPPENED
NJ Transit Northeast Corridor Train 3926, the 7:31 from Trenton, had a slow-speed derailment while pulling into track 9 at Penn Station at about 9 a.m. Monday. NJ Transit described it as a "minor derailment."
About 1,200 passengers were on the train at the time. Five people were treated for minor injuries.
Photos: Minor train derailment at New York's Penn Station
This was the second derailment in as many weeks at NY Penn Station. In a March 24 derailment, 11 of Penn Station's 21 train tracks were taken out of service after an Amtrak train derailed and struck a NJ Transit train.
Keep checking abc7NY for the latest on this developing story.
