Train Derailment Affects Service To Wickford Junction

Updated at 3:14 p.m.

Amtrak service from New Haven to Boston is experiencing widespread delays and commuter rails are being replaced with buses after a non-passenger train car was derailed east of theKingstown Train Station on Tuesday.

Shuttle buses are replacing trains to Rhode Island stops on the Providence/Stoughton commuter line. Commuters traveling on theMassachusetts Bay Transit Authority line to T.F. Green and Wickford Junction will be shuttled via buses until further notice due to the derailment of an Amtrak work train at about 12:35 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25.

"Right now we are calling for extensive delays on travel between New Haven and Boston," said Cliff Cole, an Amtrak spokesperson for the Northeast region.

While Amtrak said it is working to restore service and remove the work train, Cole said it was unable to use one of two available tracks due to the derailment. The track affected is presently out of service for an ongoing concrete tie replacement project. Amtrak offered no estimates for returning service to that track. Cole said Amtrak would, however, maintain service - with delays - for the remainder of the day.

Passengers scheduled to travel on trains that are cancelled are eligible for accommodations on other trains or a refund if they prefer to defer their travel plans. The trains impacted today will still make all of their scheduled stops - just with heavy delays.

Passengers wishing to discuss their travel today may call the Amtrak Customer Service Department at 1-800-USA-Rail for more information.

Passengers in between intermediate stops remained on-board trains today following the derailment and consequent service disruption of service. Many took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to describe their nightmarish travel experiences.

Amtrak first confirmed a derailment at 1:54 p.m. on its Twitter account, stating that the derailment on Rhode Island tracks is causing service delays from New Haven to Boston. Departures from Providence are estimated to be running 2 hours and 8 minutes late.