Drivers weren?t the only ones affected by the wet weather Monday ? train commuters were faced with disrupted service for both their morning and evening commutes.
Flooding, downed trees, debris and stranded freight trains wreaked havoc on train services throughout the Baltimore area, forcing thousands to use local roads for their commute.
The Maryland Department of Transportation canceled MARC?s Brunswick and Camden routes Monday. Bob Sullivan, a spokesman for CSX, which owns the rails, said excessive rainwater caused several problems.
“In a couple of cases, the understructure of the track was washed away by the flood waters,” Sullivan said Monday morning. “We?re working to make those repairs as quickly as we can.”
But not quick enough for afternoon commuters ? neither line was in service for the return commute Monday. MARC tickets were honored from Washington to Greenbelt on the Washington Metro?s Green Line and from Washington to Shady Grove on the Red Line.
The Penn Line ran on a modified holiday schedule Monday though there were some delays due to “flood-related speed restrictions.” MARC commuters should check local news reports or visit MARC?s Web site for the status of today?s service.
Amtrak service to and from points north of Washington resumed at 6:30 a.m. after high water caused some train cancellations overnight and in the early morning. Most service south of Washington was canceled Monday.
“In Maryland the water has been going down and we?re trying to have the afternoon be as normal as possible,” Marc Magliari, a spokesman for Amtrak, said Monday. Magliari said he couldn?t speculate on just how many trains were disrupted overall.
Amtrak service in the area was expected to be restored today, though service was to depend on Monday night?s weather. Customers can call 800-USARAIL or visit www.amtrak.com for service updates.
