HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — CSX’s double-track main line at Harpers Ferry has been shut down after a reported bridge deck fire this afternoon (Monday, June 24), leading to a cancellation of Amtrak’s Capitol Limited and disrupting freight service and MARC commuter rail operations.
Eyewitness photos looking east from the original Baltimore & Ohio train station and platform showed flames on both tracks and thick smoke completely obstructing the west portal of the Harpers Ferry tunnel. A photo from the X.com account of WRC-TV reporter Charlie Brigale shows firefighters extinguishing charred decking on the bridge, with clear track damage.
#BREAKING rail traffic stopped at Harpers Ferry, WV bridge that carries rail traffic caught fire, track damaged. @CSX @Amtrak @marctrain impacted. Expect delays. @nbcwashington #Chopper4 Anna Bivens pic.twitter.com/nKYOIdxkSF
— Charlie Bragale (@charlienbc) June 24, 2024
Amtrak announced on X.com that as of 5:54 p.m., the eastbound and westbound Capitol Limited had been cancelled. The westbound train had left Washington, D.C., but returned there. MARC announced Brunswick Line trains which normally service Martinsburg, W.Va., will instead terminate at Brunswick; the agency said it was attempting to arrange bus service from Brunswick to stations in West Virginia, but availability is limited.
The Hagerstown Herald-Mail reports the fire was first called in to 911 at 3:38 p.m.; Washington County, Md., Emergency Services Director R. David Hayes says responders found the middle of the bridge over the Potomac River on fire. About 68 firefighters from Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia responded; the fire was under control about 5:30 p.m. and units were being released from the scene by 8 p.m. Hayes said the bridge sustained significant track damage.
Trains News Wire has requested additional information from CSX.
— Updated at 8:50 p.m. CT with additional information.
If bridge damage is too serious what then??
Couldn’t detour via Phila: Superliners don’t fit.
Single-level passenger cars are more versatile and would have allowed for detours where there are height limits. They also can be boarded and alighted at both high level and low level platforms.