Switching Problem Delays, Cancels Trains on Cold Morning

A problem with a switch on a railroad track just outside North Station delayed and cancelled commuter rail service on the North Shore on Tuesday morning, reports the Boston Globe.

The delays came as morning riders were waiting on platforms in windchills that were, at time, below zero with air temperatures in the teens and wind gusts above 30 miles per hour.

T spokesman Joe Pesaturo told the Globe that the problem with the track switching system was affecting trains to and from Beverly on the Newburyport/Rockport line, as well as trains on the Haverhill, Fitchburg/South Acton and Lowell lines.

The problems started at about 7:45 a.m., according to the T, when outbound train 103 from Hamilton-Wenham was running about 15-20 minutes late. The delays continued past 10 a.m., when inbound train 116 from Rockport was running 10-20 minutes late.

At 8 a.m., the T issued an alert to passengers saying that all trains were running 20-30 minutes late because of the switch and power problem near North Station.