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Metro-North Repairs Could Take Days To Finish Causing Limited Service

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- The work to rebuild the damaged tracks and overhead wires at the scene of the train derailment in Fairfield County "is a significant undertaking that could take days to complete," a statement from Metro-North officials said Saturday. 

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and other officials check the damage to the Metro-North trains.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and other officials check the damage to the Metro-North trains.

Photo Credit: Jim Himes Facebook page

"We appreciate our customers' patience as we work to rebuild the two tracks and restore train service," the Metro-North statement said. "We estimate that this extensive effort will take well into next week."

Sunday service on the New Haven Line will once again be limited between South Norwalk and Grand Central Terminal. See the schedules page for more information. 

Before service can be restored, the National Transportation Safety Board must concludes its on-site investigation at the crash scene on the Fairfield-Bridgeport border, Metro-North said. After that, work can begin to remove the train cars and debris, the statement said. The work requires specialized, heavy equipment, including a crane, that will be in place by Sunday.

Only after the damaged train cars have been removed can work begin the work to rebuild the damaged tracks and overhead wires, Metro-North said. 

The NTSB has allowed Metro-North to begin to remove some of the damaged track and overhead wire, the statement said.

Of the four tracks in the area of the New Haven Line where the crash took place, two are out of service because of a long-term project to replace the overhead catenary wires. The other two tracks, as well as the overhead wires that serve them, were extensively damaged in the accident, the statement said. 

On Sunday, reduced hourly service will operate between South Norwalk Station and Grand Central Terminal, Metro-North said. Trains leaving South Norwalk will depart 39 minutes after the hour. Trains leaving Grand Central will depart 7 minutes after the hour.

Regular service will operate between Stamford and Grand Central Terminal. Customers were warned to expect crowded trains and to consider using the Harlem Line instead.

Also, regular service will be in effect on the New Canaan and Danbury branches. Bus service will be in effect between Waterbury and Bridgeport but with no train connections. Yankee game day service will be in effect between Stamford and Yankees-E. 153rd Street Station.

To check on the status of train service, visit mta.info or mta.info/mnr for regular updates.

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