ABERDEEN, Md. — Twenty cars of a Norfolk Southern coal train have derailed near Aberdeen, disrupting Amtrak service on the Northeast Corridor.
As of 8 a.m. EST, Amtrak said in an advisory that service had been temporarily suspended between Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, and it would be operating a modified schedule between New York and Philadelphia.
Current plans include:
— Limited Acela Service between New York and Washington, D.C.
— Limited Northeast Regional Service between New York and Washington, D.C., and points south.
— Cancellation of both directions of the New York-Savannah Palmetto, trains 89 and 90.
— Abbreviation of both directions of the Carolinians, trains 79 and 80, which normally operate between Charlotte, N.C., and New York. They will only operate between Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C.
— Normal operation for the New Orleans-New York Crescent, train No. 20, and the Miami-New York Silver Star, train 92.
Norfolk Southern said in a statement that no injuries occurred from the derailment, which occurred before 5:30 a.m., and NS, Amtrak, and federal authorities have teams at the site. “We are working together to restore service as quickly as possible,” NS said.
During the shutdown I found same-day air fares DCA-LGA were uniformly around $600; Greyhound was mostly sold out WAS-PHL and Southwest was offering flights DCA-PHL with changes at Midway (Chicago) and Atlanta.
There was one Greyhound service to Harrisburg convenient to a HBG-PHL-NYP train.
NEC WAS-Wilm is mostly 3 tracks with some stretches of 4 tracks, and double track thru the B&P tunnels, over the “BUSH”, “GUNPOW” and “PERRYVILLE” bridges and between West Yard and Wilmington.
Why couldn’t the Carolinian run to DC and turn there?
Only Amtrak’ President and CEO knows for sure.
The shoe’s on the other foot. Maybe Amtrak can argue there is no room on the NEC for any freight without major $$$$ for upgrades.
Yes, 4 main tracks along all trackage rights that NS has!
I thought there already were four main tracks there.
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/amtrak-service-suspended-freight-derailment-near-aberdeen/39332740#
Just 2 tracks for Bush River draw bridge