Ice In Train Tunnel Causes Delays For NJ Riders Headed To NYC

NEW JERSEY — Frigid temperatures and ice caused delays for NJ Transit train commuters headed to New York City on Tuesday morning, authorities say.

Amtrak Ice Patrol activity in one of the Hudson River tunnels caused 20-minute delays for trains headed into and out of Penn Station New York, according to an alert from NJ Transit, which shares the tunnel with Amtrak.

Riders on several lines were impacted: Main-Bergen County, Montclair-Boonton, Morris & Essex, Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Pascack Valley and Raritan Valley.

Temperatures in the region were expected to plunge to 28 degrees with a wind chill between 10 and 15 degrees, weather forecasters reported.

The weather-related delays were in addition to a freight train derailment that took place in Union County, and which suspended service for Raritan Valley Line trains in both directions. See Related: Raritan Valley Trains Suspended In Both Directions Due To Freight Train Derailment

What is the Ice Patrol and why are they needed? According to NJ Transit’s website:

“Winter can be a challenging season for rail travel, especially along the Northeast Corridor, where snow and ice can cause delays and disruptions. One of the biggest threats to the smooth operation of trains is the formation of icicles in the Hudson River tunnels. These icicles can damage the overhead wires that power the locomotives and pose a safety hazard for passengers and crew.

“To prevent this problem, Amtrak employs a special team of workers called the Amtrak Ice Patrol, who are responsible for clearing the icicles from the tunnels before they become too large or dangerous. The Ice Patrol sends out three or four crews a day to battle the ice before they pose a threat. The crews travel through the tunnels, scanning for icicles, and when one gets noticed by a crew member, the Ice Patrol car comes to a stop, and members of the Ice Patrol begin using yellow poles to remove the icicles.

“The Ice Patrol is not an easy job, as it involves working in cold, dark, and wet conditions, sometimes for hours at a time. The workers must wear protective gear, such as helmets, goggles, gloves, and boots, to avoid injuries from falling ice or electric shocks. They also must coordinate with the train dispatchers and signal operators, to ensure that they do not interfere with the regular train traffic in the tunnels as much as possible.

“The Amtrak Ice Patrol is a vital part of NJ Transit’s and Amtrak’s winter operations, as it helps to maintain the reliability and safety of the trains that carry hundreds of thousands of passengers every day. By removing the icicles from the tunnels, the ice patrol ensures that the trains can run on time and without interruption, even in the coldest and snowiest months of the year.”

• See Related: Work Continues On New Train Tunnel Between NJ, NY

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