Amtrak: Track Problem To Blame For LIRR Derailment
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A track issue was likely to blame for a derailment on the Long Island Rail Road that left hundreds of commuters stranded this week, Amtrak announced Wednesday.
Specifically, Amtrak said a switch point protector guard became dislodged, and the wheels of the train left the tracks.
Meanwhile, crews worked into the early morning hours Wednesday to complete repair work on switches and 500 feet of track that were damaged Monday evening when two cars of a 10-car Hempstead-bound train derailed in one of Amtrak's four East River tunnels.
LIRR Back On Track
About 1,000 passengers were trapped on the train during the derailment. Nearly 300 passengers had to wait three hours to be evacuated, while Penn Station swelled with commuters due to cancellations on all lines.
The derailment prompted the railroad to cancel or divert several trains during the morning and evening rush hours Tuesday.
However, the railroad restored full rush hour service by Wednesday morning and trains were running on or close to schedule.
Numerous other incidents have impacted MTA riders in recent weeks.
In late May, a No. 1 subway train derailed as it headed into a tunnel just south of 125th Street. Passengers were stuck for more than an hour until a rescue train arrived.
Just over a month ago, both Metro-North and Amtrak suspended service between Grand Central and New Haven after a Metro-North train jumped the tracks and sideswiped a passing train, injuring about 60 riders.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:
