Power line problem disrupts Amtrak service

The train schedule board at Penn Station reads delayed in New York May 25, 2006. Amtrak service in the New York area was disrupted on Sunday by damaged power lines between Newark, New Jersey, and Manhattan, delaying thousands of passengers at the start of the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amtrak service in the New York area was disrupted on Sunday by damaged power lines between Newark, New Jersey, and Manhattan, delaying thousands of passengers at the start of the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

Power lines between Newark's Penn Station and Pennsylvania Station in New York City stopped a train in the tunnel under the Hudson River on Sunday morning. Amtrak said crews were working on the problem and expected it to be resolved by Sunday afternoon. Passengers on the stuck train were moved to another train.

Amtrak trains between Newark and New York were suspended in both directions for several hours, leaving thousands of passengers to find alternative transportation or wait out the delay. New Jersey Transit commuter trains also were canceled or significantly delayed.

Authorities said passengers were being diverted to buses and the Path commuter rail line where possible.

(Reporting and writing by Chris Michaud; Editing by Bill Trott)