Track Obstruction Stopped Penn Line Monday: MTA

Trains were stopped on the Penn line north of Baltimore Monday evening due to an obstruction on the tracks, according to the Maryland Transit Administration.

After 5:30 p.m. Monday, the administration issued a statement indicating there was a hold on all travel between Baltimore and Perryville.

Amtrak inspectors were on the way and would determine whether it was safe to continue travel, the statement said. The full statement is at the end of the article.

When the tracks were cleared by 6:10 p.m., the Maryland Transit Administration advised there might be minor delays while trains were released.

However, that quickly turned into “heavy congestion” and delays of “up to 30 minutes,” the administration reported.

Were you on the train? Tell us in the comments!

The Maryland Transit Administration has advised that from Aug. 31 to Oct. 30, there will be delays on the Penn line between Perryville and Edgewood due to scheduled track work.

Statements from MTA on Aug. 31 service disruption:

5:38 p.m.—At this time there is an obstruction on the tracks near Martins Station, requiring a hold on all travel between Baltimore and Perryville. Amtrak crews are en route to inspect the track and determine if it is safe for continued travel, in the interim trains will only operate between Penn and Union Stations. More information will be issued as soon as it is received, we apologize in advance for the inconvenience.

6:07 p.m.—At this time the travel freeze from Baltimore to Perryville has been lifted and the tracks have been cleared for safe operation. Normal service will resume between Baltimore and Perryville; please expect minor delays as trains are released in their scheduled order in both directions.

6:49 p.m.—The Penn Line has been reopened for full service between Baltimore and Perryville, however the hold on travel in both directions has resulted in heavy congestion as MARC and Amtrak commuter trains attempt to resume scheduled service. Please continue to expect delays of up 30 minutes for the duration of the afternoon.