Connecticut’s Aging Rail Technology Is Causing Breakdowns From Both Heat and Cold

[marmar]

(New York, NY – WNYC) Performance on a major New York commuter rail line during last week’s heat wave was a tale of the two states it serves. Outdated technology in Connecticut led to multiple train breakdowns and stranded passengers on the New Haven Line, which connects that state to Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. One train stalled between stations when overhead power lines sagged and tangled, leaving passengers sweltering and stuck for almost an hour.

All the while, trains on New York tracks ran smoothly.

The NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority says that’s because New York State invested early last decade in a new overhead power system that automatically takes up the slack when wires start drooping in the heat. New York also bought new train cars that held up fairly well during the Northeast’s bitter and blizzardy winter of 2010-2011.

MTA spokeswoman Marjorie Anders said Connecticut did neither, and paid for it during both seasons. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://transportationnation.org/2011/07/27/connecticuts-aging-rail-technology-is-causing-breakdowns-from-both-heat-and-cold/