UNION, N.J. — Commuter rail service on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line has been suspended because of the derailment of a freight train, according to an alert on the agency’s website.
While media reports identify the incident as a Conrail derailment, the train involved is actually a Norfolk Southern intermodal train operating on Conrail Shared Assets Operations trackage also used by NJ Transit.
WABC-TV reports the derailment occurred between Cranford and Union, N.J., about 7 a.m. and that about 20 railcars were involved. The local news site Tap Into Union has a number of photos of derailed double-stack containers. It says 33 railcars carrying 66 containers are involved, and quotes Union Fire Chief Greg Ricciardi as saying no injuries were reported and no hazardous materials are involved, but there is extensive track damage.
NJ Transit is honoring rail tickets on its bus service. More information on travel alternatives is available here.
The Raritan Valley Line offers 27 weekday round trips to and from Newark or New York, beginning from either High Bridge or Raritan.
— Updated at 10:08 a.m. to correct information on freight train involved.
