Video Shows Chunks Of Earth Falling From Beneath South OC Railroad Amid Strong Surf Activity

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Metrolink crews were hard at work this weekend maintaining and protecting train tracks hugging the coast in South Orange County.

In a video posted to Instagram by Metrolink, chunks of earth could be seen falling just a few yards away from the ocean-side railroad.

"The view along the coast may be beautiful, but keeping trains moving safely through this corridor takes a tremendous amount of work, especially when high tides and coastal conditions threaten the rail line," Metrolink officials said in a statement.

According to Metrolink, crews from Herzog — the agency's track and signal maintenance contractor — and Metrolink personnel have been working around the clock to protect and repair the rail infrastructure.

While the railway is currently operating under normal weekday hours, tide conditions may change that — as they did this past weekend, when Metrolink canceled service running through South Orange County due to the savage swell.

"A huge thank you to everyone working out there day and night to safeguard the tracks and help get trains back on the move as quickly as possible."

xxx

"

Over the past several days, high tides and coastal erosion have impacted the tracks through San Clemente. Crews from Herzog, our track and signal maintenance contractor, and Metrolink personnel have been working around the clock to protect and repair the rail infrastructure, performing this critical work safely and efficiently in challenging conditions.

The view along the coast may be beautiful, but keeping trains moving safely through this corridor takes a tremendous amount of work, especially when high tides and coastal conditions threaten the rail line.

A huge thank you to everyone working out there day and night to safeguard the tracks and help get trains back on the move as quickly as possible."