Amtrak service restored between D.C. and Baltimore

UPDATE 9:30 p.m. 4/3/2014: Amtrak trains are once again running without delay, and Amtrak says the Friday-morning commute should be back to normal.

#Amtrak service is now fully restored btwn DC/Baltimore. No impacts are expected for Friday morning commute.

— Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNEC) April 4, 2014

EARLIER: WASHINGTON — Hundreds of MARC and Amtrak passengers were stuck on trains for hours on Thursday due to downed power lines near Bowie, Md.

Limited service has resumed on Amtrak Acela Express and Northeast Regional trains between Washington and Baltimore, however congestion-related delays are expected throughout the evening.

MARC trains running on the Penn Line have resumed but four trains have been cancelled: the 426, 443, 428 and 447 MARC on the Penn Line. Marc is still suggesting the Camden line as an alternative.

Limited service means that Amtrak trains are single tracking rather than using the 4 tracks.

Meanwhile, passengers on the trains that were stranded for hours and offloaded to nearby stations still have no way of getting to their destination. Amtrak is trying to line up buses, but say they have not been able to find another means of transporting those riders.

Amtrak runs the affected track.

Crews are working to remove the de-energized powerline on the tracks, but no timetable has been set regarding when that work will be completed.

MARC is suggesting evening riders take the Camden Line, which is in full service between D.C. and Baltimore. But given the high demand, there is no guarantee riders will be able to get a ticket for Thursday night.

Metro will be honoring tickets for the Penn Line.

Schulz said officials believe an Amtrak train pulled down wires near the station in Bowie, Md. around 9:30 a.m. Thursday. He says the train with 177 people onboard lost power.

Two passengers — a pregnant woman and a man — were removed because they became overheated.

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