HYDE PARK, Mass. — Damage from a fire caused by a downed Amtrak catenary wire could disrupt service on three Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail lines for several weeks, the MBTA’s contract commuter rail operator said this week.
The Aug. 1 incident set fire to a “key signal bungalow” at Read Interlocking, where the MBTA’s Franklin/Foxboro line leaves the main line, contract operator Keolis Commuter Services said in a press release. As Amtrak works on repairs with the MBTA and Keolis, schedules have been changed on the Franklin/Foxboro and Providence/Stoughton lines, effective Monday, Aug. 4; the Fairmount line will also see delays.
The extensive schedule changes are outlined here. On the Franklin/Foxboro line, they include having inbound trains skip three stops (Forest Hills, Ruggles, and Back Bay), and trains starting at Franklin rather than Forge Park after 9 a.m., with passengers advised to arrive at Forge Park 20 minutes earlier than normal to catch shuttle buses. On the Providence/Stoughton Line, some inbound trains will add stops at Readville and Forest Hill; outbound trains will not be available for boarding at Hyde Park. Fairmount passengers are advised to check the MBTA website, MBTA alerts, or call customer service at 617-222-3200 for service information.
No backup systems for maintaining service when things go wrong?
Any changes to Amtrak NEC schedules?