HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — CSX has reopened one track of its two-track main line at Harpers Ferry, W.Va., about 3:30 a.m. today (Tuesday, June 25) and expected the other to be reopened by midday following Monday’s fire on the bridge across the Potomac River.
The Hagerstown Herald-Mail reports railroad spokesman Bryan Tucker wrote in an email that the railroad confirmed the structural integrity of the bridge and crews worked through the night to replace damaged ties and rails.
MARC commuter trains from West Virginia into Maryland and the District of Columbia were cancelled this morning, with the Maryland Transportation Authority saying in a service alert that it would meet with CSX today to discuss the status of bridge repairs, and make a decision about West Virginia service for this afternoon and the remainder of the week. As of 11 a.m. CT, there had been no update from the morning report.
MARC’s Brunswick line offers three daily round trips that serve three stops in West Virginia: Harpers Ferry, Duffields, and Martinsburg. Those trains were originating in Brunswick, Md., this morning.
Monday’s fire halted MARC service and led to the cancellation of Amtrak’s Capitol Limited in addition to the interruption of CSX freight service [see “Bridge fire shuts down CSX main line …,” Trains News Wire, June 24, 2024].
Amtrak’s website currently lists both the eastbound and westbound trains as making on-time departures this evening, although that remains subject to change.
— Updated at 10:55 a.m. CT with photo of bridge repairs; updated at 11:10 a.m. with information on line reopening.
Given the history of hot ties and melted rails in Harpers, this repair job makes the grade as number one quick, glad there were now serious injury and all should be back to regular service soon.