The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad has begun partial restoration of train service on the Hudson Line following clean-up due to severe storms in the Hudson Valley on July 9.
Metro-North will continue to provide limited bus service for essential travelers between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie, with buses departing Croton-Harmon on a load-and-go basis. Buses will make stops at Croton-Harmon, Beacon and Poughkeepsie. There is no substitute service provided at Manitou, Garrison, Cold Spring and New Hamburg.
“This is not our first time dealing with a strong weather event. To be able to restore partial service so soon is a testament to the around-the-clock work undertaken by the Metro-North workforce,” said Metro-North Railroad President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi. “The work will continue without stopping, as we work to restore full service on the Hudson and Harlem lines as soon as possible.”
Metro-North crews worked through the night on July 9 and into July 10 to evaluate damage and to clear tracks of fallen trees, mud, boulders, and water that in places has risen well above the rails. Some areas continue to be inspected for possible washout conditions to ensure the integrity of the railroad’s right-of-way.
Hudson Line train service was initially suspended north of Croton-Harmon on July 9 due to the storm’s impact in northern Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. The storms left behind rushing high water, trees, boulders and other debris on sections of Metro-North track north of Croton-Harmon. Tracks north of Croton-Harmon became impassable due to the damage, which resulted in the service suspension between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie.
Metro-North also suspended service on the Upper Harlem Line between Southeast and Wassaic July 10 due to high water above the rails and a washout on the right-of-way south of Dover Plains in Dutchess County.