Amtrak train derails, hits NJ Transit train at Penn Station in NYC

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- An Amtrak Acela train derailed at Penn Station in New York City Friday morning, causing it to strike a New Jersey Transit train, injure two people and halt train service in and out of Manhattan.

The incident happened at about 9 a.m., as Amtrak Acela 2150 was leaving the train station.

Amtrak said the train was moving at a slow speed when it had a minor derailment, causing it to make contact with an incoming NJ Transit train. The Amtrak train stopped -- and the rear of the train was still on the platform, allowing the 248 passengers to exit the train into the station.

"As we were exiting the train, we were walking through the cafe car, and two of the cars visibly shifted," passenger Toby Knapp told Eyewitness News. "Something caused the car to derail in the station."

Photos: Train derailment scene in New York Penn Station

Two minor injuries were being treated at the scene. NJ Transit is inspecting the extent of the damage and working cooperatively with Amtrak and federal officials as the investigation moves forward.

This video from an Eyewitness News viewer shows the activity in Penn Station after the derailment:

RAIL SERVICE INFORMATION

Amtrak service is running again, but with limited and delayed service in and out of Penn Station.

NJ Transit expects to operate on a regular weekend schedule for Saturday March 25.

Northeast Corridor trains that operate between Rahway and Penn Station New York (trains in the 7600-series) may be cancelled on Saturday, March 25.

CLICK HERE for the full NJ Transit schedule from Penn Station.

Cross honoring will remain in effect with NJ Transit bus, private carrier bus, NY Waterway and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rd St.

Hoboken services will also be impacted due to the additional trains in the terminal. Because of track limitation in the terminal, some Summit-bound trains will be impacted.

Due to the circumstances, customers are asked to be patient and allow for additional travel time.

LIRR service is also impacted by the incident. By Friday evening, LIRR was operating on or close to schedule from Penn Station.

While the LIRR normally has use of nine departure tracks from Penn Station (Tracks 13 through 21) because of the Amtrak derailment this evening, the LIRR will be limited to Tracks 18 through 21, a reduction of more than 50 percent of its normal track space at Penn Station.