In this photo provided by Ben Parkin, firefighter battle a fire runder the Metro-North railroad tracks in New York, Tuesday, May 17, 2016. Train service into and out of Grand Central is being delayed due to the fire. (Ben Parkin via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Republished May 18, 2016 - 8:19 AM
Original Publication Date May 18, 2016 - 3:35 AM
NEW YORK - The Latest on efforts to restore service to three Metro-North rail lines into and out of New York City after a fire halted service and stranded commuters (all times local):
10:45 a.m.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says Metro-North trains plan to operate on an abbreviated schedule for a second straight day Thursday.
Spokesman Nancy Gamerman says Metro-North is working to restore full service by Friday, but that commuters should expect delays because speed restrictions could still be implemented.
Metro-North ran a limited schedule for the Wednesday morning rush following a major track fire in East Harlem on Tuesday night. The fire at a garden centre business underneath the tracks stranded thousands of commuters.
More than 150 firefighters responded to the blaze, which remains under investigation.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury when he slipped, but no civilians were hurt.
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9 a.m.
Metro-North commuters are packed into the aisles of trains that have been reduced to running on a Saturday schedule after a major track fire.
A train that left White Plains at 6:30 a.m. was so crowded that by the time it travelled seven stops, to Mount Vernon, no one could get on. The conductor announced that another train behind would make all local stops.
The passengers included many teens on their way to school.
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7:35 a.m.
Metro-North commuter Mike Joshi, who teaches in Brooklyn, got on at Southport, Connecticut. He normally takes the 5:51 a.m. train to Grand Central.
He knew about the track fire last night and learned more about the reduced schedule this morning.
He said his commute was not too bad.
"I had to stand the whole time. I was only delayed like 30 minutes." Joshi said.
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6:15 a.m.
Officials say limited train service has been restored on Metro-North lines into and out of New York City's Grand Central Station hours after a raging fire broke out beneath elevated train tracks.
A Saturday schedule is in effect Wednesday on all three Metro-North lines as trains operate on two outside tracks with speeds reduced from 60 mph to 30 mph.
Officials are warning commuters to expect delays and extremely crowded conditions. They are encouraging customers to work from home or find other ways to travel.
Metro-North service into and out of Grand Central had been suspended on all three Metro-North lines after the Tuesday night blaze at a garden centre business underneath tracks in East Harlem halted train service and stranded thousands of commuters.
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2 a.m.
New York City commuters should expect long delays and limited service Wednesday after a raging fire broke out beneath elevated train tracks in the city.
Officials say the blaze ignited Tuesday evening at a garden centre business underneath Metro-North tracks in East Harlem, halting train service and stranding thousands of commuters.
Metro-North says service into and out of Grand Central Terminal will remain suspended on all three Metro-North lines until further notice.
The railroad says it will run a Saturday schedule for the Wednesday morning rush hour with trains stopping in the Bronx so passengers can connect to subway service into Manhattan.
More than 150 firefighters responded to the blaze, which remains under investigation.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury when he slipped, but no civilians were hurt.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016