Portal bridge strikes again delays Amtrak and NJ Transit

NJ Transit taking big delays. Somehow Amtrak has major signal problems on the bridge. nothing from Amtrak.

NJ Transit rail service into and out of Manhattan limited due to signal issue at Portal Bridge, “extensive delays” - CBS New York (cbsnews.com)

NEC train #3951, the 5:16 PM departure from PSNY, is cancelled due to equipment availability issues resulting from repairs to the signal system at the Portal Bridge. Please take train #3867, the 5:25 PM departure from PSNY.

Rail service in and out of Penn Station New York is operating with select cancellations and potentially heavy delays due to extensive repairs to the signal system at the Portal Bridge. Rail tickets and passes are being cross-honored by NJ TRANSIT bus, private carrier and PATH at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken and 33rd ST-NY. Midtown Direct service is being diverted to Hoboken with select cancellations. All Raritan Valley Line trains will originate/terminate in Newark for the remainder of the service day.

Adjusted Service and Delays In and Out of New York City

Problem started at 10:45.

Amtrak Ale

“Select cancellations”? Really? Is that how far we’ve fallen with corporate communications at Spamdreck?

Now just how are dispatchers going to keep all trains running? Here they have to manually dispatch thru restricted speeds, PTC ( a biggie ), possible switch tenders to manually operate switches. Maintainers to verify all locks and mitre rails remain in place. Make sure continously that all safety protocols remain good and electrical problems do not do something bad.

We should hope to get a full report on how it went and what improvements needed. I have had past experiences around Newark of underground utilities are not where they are supposed to be. Contractors have punched into unground electrices more than one at EWR airport. So this happpening does not surprize this poster.

Just checked tracking. All of the 12th trains from NYP have been traveling from approaches thru the bridge are operating at or below 15 MPH. Evidently restricted speed?

NJ Transit reports repairs complete.

UPDATE: Portal Bridge Signal Repairs Completed | NJ TRANSIT | New Jersey Transit Corporation | New Jersey

Amtrak #51/14 May showed 88 MPH just short of the bridge

I look forward to reading the details on this matter.

Ed