Passenger Trains > Monday morning delays on the Capitol Corridor

Amtrak set to resume after downed lines block rails
By Robert Salonga

STAFF WRITER
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched:10/08/2007 07:31:07 AM PDT
MARTINEZ -- An East Bay-bound Amtrak train is expected to resume service this morning after being stalled by downed power lines on the track, the train agency said.

According to Amtrak, a truck struck a power pole in Dixon around 4:30 a.m., taking down live power lines with it, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said. Utility crews were called to the scene to clear the tracks.

All trains headed to the Martinez station were held on the westbound track from Davis, meaning the first train into the area -- No. 523 from Sacramento, scheduled to arrive at 6:28 a.m. -- has been severely delayed.

Amtrak said the track was cleared as of 7:20 a.m. and trains will resume their schedule, albeit about an hour behind while trains catch up through the rest of the morning.

Reach Robert Salonga at 925-943-8013 or rsalonga@bayareanewsgroup.com.

> MARTINEZ -- An East Bay-bound Amtrak train is
> expected to resume service this morning after
> being stalled by downed power lines on the track,
> the train agency said.


Good info from "the train agency." Save two words and use "railroad" (except on Long Island where it is Rail Road).

Now, back to the Trainorders agency.

stash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > MARTINEZ -- An East Bay-bound Amtrak train is
> > expected to resume service this morning after
> > being stalled by downed power lines on the
> track,
> > the train agency said.
>
>
> Good info from "the train agency." Save two words
> and use "railroad" (except on Long Island where it
> is Rail Road).
>
> Now, back to the Trainorders agency.

I like the part about the train being "stalled." Maybe the power lines reached out and snagged the train.

A better outcome than a couple of years ago in Anahiem when the first Metrolink hit a power line that was hanging a few feet above the rails. It was a very tough wire, and the train pulled it about 1/4 mile, knocking down many poles, before it stopped.

At first Edison wanted to bill Metrolink for damage to their poles and wires. After having their license agreement read to them, they ended up paying Metrolink for damage to the cab car. That's why RRs have lots of lawyers, eh?