NJT: Electric-Powered Trains Return To Hoboken Terminal
HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Electric-powered trains have returned to Hoboken Terminal for the first time since Superstorm Sandy destroyed a power substation.
The resumption of service marks an end to interim rail schedules that were put into place after the storm.
NJ TRANSIT is now operating an additional 21 trains on the Morris & Essex, Montclair-Boonton and Main-Bergen lines. In addition, 19 trains that have been operating on partial trips will resume normal service.
NJT: Electric-Powered Trains Return To Hoboken Terminal
Saltwater flooding from Sandy destroyed NJ TRANSIT's Mason Substation that provides electric power for trains into and out of Hoboken Terminal each day.
NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Jim Weinstien said fixing the substation wasn't easy.
"When it got flooded, the water destroyed much of the substation and damaged other parts of it," he said. "These are not standard things that you can go to Home Depot and get replacement parts for."
Diesel-powered trains were substituted until the repairs were finished.
"The diesel service tends to be slower and because it's slower, the trains are less-frequent and you have to create space between trains," Weinstien said.
NJ TRANSIT said it has restored 97 percent of its pre-Sandy service level, operating 679 of the 700 weekday trains scheduled prior to the storm.
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