Downed Wire Disrupts Amtrak and NJ Transit Service Along Northeast Corridor

The disruption stranded passengers in bitter cold as Amtrak and NJ Transit worked to restore service.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A downed wire on the Northeast Corridor, the busiest passenger rail route in the United States, caused major disruptions to Amtrak and NJ Transit service on Monday. Amtrak canceled trains in several states, while NJ Transit operated reduced service out of New York Penn Station due to the ongoing impacts from the wire failure. The incident renewed attention on the region's aging rail infrastructure and the long-running dispute over funding for the Gateway tunnel project.

Why it matters

The Northeast Corridor is a critical transportation artery, and any disruptions can have widespread impacts on commuters and travelers. This incident highlights the vulnerability of the region's aging rail infrastructure and the ongoing challenges in securing funding for much-needed upgrades.

The details

Amtrak announced the downed wire on Monday morning, causing delays and cancellations of trains between New York and Philadelphia. The disruption stranded some passengers aboard trains and in stations as freezing temperatures gripped the region. Amtrak said it had restored normal service on Monday afternoon, but NJ Transit, which operates on Amtrak-owned tracks, said it would operate reduced service out of New York Penn Station through early Tuesday morning.

  • On Monday morning, Amtrak announced the downed wire.
  • On Monday afternoon, Amtrak said it had restored normal service.
  • Through early Tuesday morning, NJ Transit operated reduced service out of New York Penn Station.

The players

Amtrak

A major passenger railroad service that operates along the Northeast Corridor and other routes in the United States.

NJ Transit

A public transportation system that operates bus, rail, and light rail services in New Jersey and connecting to New York City.

Mikie Sherrill

The Governor of New Jersey, who commented on the impacts of the cold weather on the rail infrastructure.

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York, who has joined Mikie Sherrill in suing the Trump administration to restore funding for the Gateway tunnel project.

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What they’re saying

“We know people are getting stuck in the Newark and Elizabeth area, and that's unacceptable.”

— Mikie Sherrill, Governor of New Jersey (Social media)

What’s next

A federal court in Manhattan issued a temporary stay of its order to release funding for the Gateway tunnel project until Thursday, which could impact the ongoing dispute over the critical rail connection between New York and New Jersey.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the urgent need to invest in the aging rail infrastructure along the Northeast Corridor, which is a vital transportation artery for the region. The ongoing dispute over funding for the Gateway tunnel project underscores the political challenges in securing the necessary resources to modernize and improve the reliability of this critical rail network.