WATERBURY, Conn. — Service on Metro-North Railroad’s Waterbury Branch remains suspended following significant flood damage to the route on Sunday, Aug. 18, while Danbury Branch service was restored in time for the evening rush today (Monday, Aug. 19), the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports.
Waterbury Branch damage includes a significant mudslide between the Seymour and Ansonia stations on the 28.5-mile, eight-station branch. The MTA said “extremely limited bus service” began operating at 5:30 p.m. today to serve the branch, bypassing the Seymour station because of severe roadway flooding. There is no estimate as yet for when service will be restored.
Danbury Branch service resumed with a 5:07 p.m. train from Grand Central Terminal.
“We’re glad to have made great progress to restore service on the Danbury Branch in time for today’s afternoon rush hour,” Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi said in a press release. “We appreciate the patience of our Waterbury Branch customers as crews work as quickly and safely as possible to restore service on the branch, where there is more significant damage caused by yesterday’s catastrophic rain.”
During periods of heavy precipitation it has become standard practice to halt traffic and inspect rail lines. Especially those that handle passenger trains. I believe part of the reason for that is what Roger pointed out. The rail is intact so the signal system would give no indication of what danger is ahead.
The photo shows a very unwanted problem. Track appears completely intact so there would be no signal indications of a track break. How did they learn about this slide?
I think you are going to need a BIGGER TRUCK!