SHARE

Update: Metro-North Adjusts Afternoon Train Schedule Before Storm Hits

1 p.m. update: FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- As Metro-North prepares for an approaching blizzard, more trains have been added and extra engineers and signal maintainers have been called in Monday to help keep the commuter rail running.

Photo Credit: File

Metro-North will add additional trains between 1 and 4 p.m. Monday to accommodate workers looking to get home before the storm hits, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced late Monday morning. He also announced a state travel ban on state roads as of 9 p.m. Monday.   

Train service will depart Grand Central Terminal on regular schedules between 4 and 5 p.m., with fewer trains than a regular rush hour from 5 to 8 p.m., Metro-North said. N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said an 11 p.m. shutdown of Metro-North services will be decided by late afternoon. 

Riders with smartphones can use the Metro-North Train Time App for real-time train information as the storm rolls in. To check for train schedules, check the Metro-North website. With reduced ridership, some trains will be canceled or combined. 

Because of the expected severity of the blizzard, evening and overnight service may be further curtailed or suspended, Metro-North said. Riders should monitor the website and email alerts, or call 511 as well as follow local media reports for the latest service updates.

Riders are urged to take extra care when traveling during the storm, because platforms, parking lots and other surfaces will be snow-covered and slippery. Customers who are not required to travel are urged to stay home.

Metro-North is also taking steps to ensure that switches – the interlocking tracks that allow rail traffic controllers to route trains from one track to another – are working throughout the storm. The railroad is activating switch heaters, lubricating the switches and treating them with anti-freeze agents, Metro-North said in a statement. Rail Traffic Controllers will activate the switches to keep them from freezing shut. In addition, track workers will be positioned in critical locations to be able to respond if any difficulties do crop up at switches.

Snow-fighting equipment will be positioned strategically throughout the system to start when snow accumulation begins.

To ensure safety at platforms, all stations will be pretreated with salt and Metro-North will continue to clear snow and ice.

Trains will be protected by pretreating with deicer all door tracks and third rail contact shoes. To prevent ice build-up on the pantographs on top of New Haven Line trains, they will be raised and lowered throughout the storm. All couplers between cars will be covered with snow bags to prevent icing.

At Pelham, where New Haven Line trains change from overhead power to third rail power, mechanics were stationed beginning at 5 a.m. Monday to assist any train that experiences changeover issues.

Extra train crews and engines will be stationed at major junctions to assist in case any train breaks down. And extra signal maintainers, power and track department personnel will be station at critical interlockings.

to follow Daily Voice Darien and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE