Amtrak service between Philly, Washington slowly resuming after freight train derailment

Two cars from an 88-car train dumped loads of stone onto the tracks when they derailed late Wednesday. No injuries have been reported.

(Sophie Reid/for The Pulse)

(Sophie Reid/for The Pulse)

Updated: 11:37 a.m.

Amtrak service is slowly being restored between Philadelphia and Washington after a freight train derailment in southeastern Pennsylvania caused track damage that the regional transportation agency said will need extensive repair.

Amtrak had suspended its service between Philadelphia and Washington on Thursday, hours after two cars of a Norfolk Southern freight train left the tracks late Wednesday night. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority also suspended its Wilmington/Newark line and used extra trains on alternative routes.

Media reports say two cars from an 88-car train dumped loads of stone onto the tracks when they derailed late Wednesday. No injuries have been reported.

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Amtrak suspended service shortly after 5 a.m. Thursday, but said on its Twitter account that service was starting to resume with significant delays remaining on many lines.

There was no estimate from Amtrak or SEPTA on when services would be completely restored. Both said they expected residual delays throughout Thursday.

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