The extensive New Haven Line delays you experienced during yesterday’s p.m. rush were the result of a quick-moving summer storm with a lightning strike that damaged signal equipment between Green’s Farms and Southport.
— This is an announcement from Metro-North. Amtrak’s Acela trains were also delayed.
This occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m., preventing any train movement through the location for about 90 minutes. Signal maintainers manually operated switches to allow trains to begin moving safely on only two inside tracks at 6 p.m. The other two tracks remained out of service; limiting our ability to operate trains through the area.
This caused delays of 40 to 90 minutes and required westbound trains to bypass Green’s Farms, Westport and East Norwalk Stations.
By 8 p.m. we were able to operate on another track, restoring service to the three affected stations and operating with residual delays of 10-15 minutes.
Repairs were completed overnight and we were able to provide full service this morning.
We regret any delays you may have experienced as a result of these weather-related delays.