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Amtrak trains delayed after tree falls on tracks in New Haven

NEW HAVEN —  The electronic schedule board at New Haven’s Union Station was full of delays and cancellations Wednesday, all due to a fallen tree on ...

NEW HAVEN --  The electronic schedule board at New Haven's Union Station was full of delays and cancellations Wednesday, all due to a fallen tree on southbound tracks.

At approximately 11:00 a.m., Amtrak received reports of a tree in the catenary (overhead power lines) just north of Union Station. Shortly after that, Amtrak was notified by its crews that there was no overhead power in the area, due to the lines coming across the tracks and resting on one of the cars of Acela Express train 2159, which was traveling from Boston to New York City. And with no power, the train was disable for three hours.

"It wasn't as bad as everyone is making it sound, but it definitely wasn't optimal," said one passenger.

As crews worked to repair the catenary, it was necessary to move trains through the area using diesel locomotives, since the power was cut.

"We spent a lot of time there, with no water, nothing, just waiting," said another passenger.

The disabled train still remained on the tracks, between the Mill River and the East Street overpass, as of 6 p.m. Wednesday.

However, the passengers were transferred from the Acela train to another train at approximately 2:00 p.m. From there, they disembarked at Union Station. Then, they immediately boarded a southbound Acela train destined for New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington.

This wind related incident is not unprecedented, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, which said it periodically deals with fallen trees. The delays caused cancellations and delays up and down Amtrak's Northeast Corridor service, including for a group of UConn students headed to a landscape architectural convention in the DC area.

Passengers said they don't mind the inconvenience, especially when there were no injuries.

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