Snow storm snarls freight, transit traffic in northeast

CSX, NJ Transit and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority service on the East Coast has been affected by the severe autumn snowstorm over the weekend. CSX freight service operating in Massachusetts and other areas of the Northeast has been slowed significantly. Customers with traffic that originates, terminates or passes through this region should expect delays of 24-48 hours as crews clear lines of snow and fallen trees. Widespread commercial power outages also are impacting service. CSX equipment and personnel have been deployed across affected lines to restore service as quickly as possible. NJ Transit's Morris & Essex Lines, including the Gladstone Branch and Montclair-Boonton Line rail service will remain suspended Monday, October 31, while crews remove hundreds of trees and repair miles of overhead wire damage. An aerial inspection was made of the lines, which revealed the extensive damage caused by heavy, wet snow and strong winds that brought down the trees and overhead wires. Crews will continue to work around the clock today to make the necessary repairs. MBTA commuter rail customers who use the Worcester/Framingham, Fitchburg and Haverhill lines should expect delays due to damage caused by the weekend storm. Delays will range anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes.