Southeast rail operators working to restore service

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Downed trees across CSX track in Florida.
Carrie Armogan Twitter

Multiple washouts caused by Hurricane Matthew along Norfolk Southern and CSX lines have suspended services of both freight and passenger trains as rail operators in the southeast hustle to assess damage and fix infrastructure.

NS is currently working to restore service east of Selma, N.C. to New Bern, N.C., and is invoking Force Majeure effective Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 for traffic destined to the Chocowinity, Goldsboro and New Bern areas.

Invoking a Force Majeure contract clause eases performance obligations due to circumstances that are beyond a party’s control, such as a hurricane.

Much of NS’ operations have returned to normal since the storm and the Class 1 has donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with Hurricane Matthew relief efforts across five Southeastern states.

“Many of our Norfolk Southern employees and facilities are located in these affected areas and Red Cross recovery efforts are timely, effective and vital,” said James Squires, NS chairman, president and CEO. “We want our employees, customers and community neighbors to know that Norfolk Southern is there to help where it’s needed most.”

Amtrak is restoring some service in the southeast and expressed gratitude in a service update to its host railroads including CSX, Norfolk Southern and the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.

Passenger train services in Virginia have been restored, while North Carolina Piedmont service and Carolinian service between Raleigh and Richmond remain suspended. The Carolinian is operating between New York City and Richmond and between Charlotte and Raleigh.

Amtrak will not operate the Silver Meteor service between New York City and Miami, the Auto Train between Lorton, Va., and Sandord, Fla., or the Silver Star service between New York City and Winter Park, Fla. However, Silver Star trains will operate between Winter Park and Miami.

CSX has restored lines in Florida, but is still assessing damage in Georgia, South and North Carolina and Virginia.

As of Oct. 10, the Class 1 did not have commercial power for the main line from Savannah, Ga., to Pembroke, N.C. CSX engineering crews deployed more than 1,000 generators to power crossing gates, defect detectors and wayside signals in response to the power loss. Additionally, crews are working through extensive washout conditions and flooded areas on rail infrastructure across North and South Carolina while assessing the extent of damage on the Portsmouth, Va., Tarbor, N.C., Parmele, W&W, Wilmington, Andrews, S.C., Georgetown, Charleston, Eastover, Lane, Orangeburg, Creston and Cross subdivisions.

CSX said engineering crews would inspect these subdivisions when water levels recede to safe conditions and a timeline to resume full service will be determined following inspections.

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