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CSX: Verizon phone line issue caused VRE, MARC train delays

Delays early Thursday morning on Virginia Railway Express and MARC trains are being attributed to a Verizon phone line issue.

“Verizon experienced a broader telecommunications issue that affected our phones lines for about 30 minutes yesterday evening. This issue has since been resolved,” said Cindy Schild, spokeswoman for CSX Corp., which owns the tracks where several VRE and MARC lines operate.

Schild said in an email that there were “no impacts” to CSX rail operations. CSX operates freight trains.

The delays began in the 5 a.m. hour, when VRE and MARC trains begin running. Both said CSX was having trouble communicating with its train crews.

In early tweets, VRE said: “Delays (are) likely this morning due to a system wide CSX outage affecting train orders getting to crews.”

Some VRE trains on the Fredericksburg line ran 20 minutes late.

MARC said multiple trains ran late on the Brunswick Line, some delayed up to 25 minutes.



MARC and VRE carry more than 56,000 riders every day.

Weekend Road and Rail: Bridge work, Beltway and I-66 projects; Metro maintenance on all lines

After a long holiday hiatus, work is expected to ramp up again on I-66, the District bridges, the Beltway and on the Purple Line in Maryland. Weather has been an issue all week, be sure to stay tuned for the latest. As a reminder, all work is weather dependent, be sure to stay tuned to WTOP and traffic on the 8s for any up to the minute changes. And, as always, be sure to call the Traffic Center with all updates at 866-304-WTOP.
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