Park Avenue Viaduct 5/17 (Was: Fire stops all trains...)

7express wrote:I heard aside from a couple minor injuries, everyone else seems to be OK.

Depending on what you call minor. I heard from someone who knows the family who owns the place that went up. Apparently the guy who was by the generator when the accident happened was very badly burned, and lost an eye.

(Pardon the secretive nature of it, even though it's either probably public knowledge already, or will be soon, I just don't wanna be that asshat who spilt beans before it was fully OK to do so)

Metro-North Service Update

UPDATE: Metro-North to Operate Regular Train Service for Friday, May 20

For Friday, May 20, Metro-North is operating a regular weekday schedule. Customers should anticipate some residual delays due to speed restrictions on all four tracks on the Park Avenue Viaduct. See train schedules.

The return to a full schedule was made possible by round-the-clock work on the part of hundreds of employees who on Thursday completed the installation of six temporary steel columns to brace a column damaged in Tuesday's fire.

Metro-North crews continue to work at the site, making other needed structural repairs to the viaduct.

For the remainder of for Thursday, May 19 Metro-North Is Operating An Enhanced Saturday Schedule.

In effect on all three lines, Thursday's enhanced Saturday schedule provides customers with additional trains during peak travel periods and represents 75% of ridership capacity. Customers should refer to the schedules page.
Metro-North's connecting services (the Hudson Rail Link, Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry and Newburgh-Beacon Ferry) are operating on an enhanced Saturday schedule.

Customers should continue to check this website and news media for any updates, and listen for announcements at stations.
.

MACTRAXX wrote:Litz and Everyone:

This fire reminded me of something similar that happened in Philadelphia back in March 1996: A tire dump under the elevated structure of Interstate 95 was set on fire in what was found to be a case of arson damaging the roadway badly enough to require that it be closed to be repaired causing a huge traffic problem in that area as a result. This fire under the MNCR structure looks to have been caused by chemicals and other flammable items being stored underneath. In both cases any items that could cause any problems like this to vital infrastructure should not have been allowed to be placed near let alone underneath them.

http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-14/n ... -feitelson" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/14/us/ti ... lphia.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MACTRAXX

The Post quoted the FDNY as saying the businesses involved didn't have a permit to store hazardous/flammable chemicals.

DutchRailnut wrote:My question is ? we know there is limited service, but is the average commuter such a one trick pony, that they can not figure alternative ways ??
The railroad can't fix it faster, the railroad has no control over assets outside Metro North or its availability.
But really is average commuter really that stupid, to expect full service when capacity of railroad is around 50% due to outside causes ??

Yes, they are that stupid.

They think that by state ownership,MN has instant access to materials needed to get the repairs done.
All are creatures of habit,and hate anything that disrupts their routine.

The given is that former "garden center" had enough garden chemicals "in stock" to create this nightmare.

Look for the FDNY, accompanied by MN and MTA personnel to quickly begin inspecting all businesses
located under railroad bridges and viaducts throughout the city.

Kurt wrote:

DutchRailnut wrote:My question is ? we know there is limited service, but is the average commuter such a one trick pony, that they can not figure alternative ways ??
The railroad can't fix it faster, the railroad has no control over assets outside Metro North or its availability.
But really is average commuter really that stupid, to expect full service when capacity of railroad is around 50% due to outside causes ??

Yes, they are that stupid.

Actually they don't insist on full service restoration as long as their train runs and isn't overcrowded.

but how stupid can you be when Saturday schedules are in effect and expect to get same capacity as weekdays, really are todays commuters that F**ing dumb..

Ummm, apparently. It's all part of the "me first" ideology.

Ridgefielder wrote:The Post quoted the FDNY as saying the businesses involved didn't have a permit to store hazardous/flammable chemicals.

Speaking of: NY Times

Brief, fair-use:

Manhattan Store Cited for Violations Where Metro-North Track Fire Started

Investigators have found several fire-code violations at the garden supply store in Manhattan where a fuel spill ignited a fire underneath the Metro-North Railroad on Tuesday, causing thousands of commuters to be stranded and lingering disruptions, city officials said on Friday.

The Fire Department said it issued four summonses to the store, Urban Garden Center, which is under the elevated tracks on Park Avenue in East Harlem. Officials said the violations were related to the storage, handling and use of liquefied petroleum gas. They were for using the gas to heat a greenhouse; keeping gasoline in quantities that required a permit, which the store did not have; and unlawfully storing portable fueled equipment.

It is unclear what penalties could result from the summonses. The store did not respond on Friday to phone and email messages seeking comment.

Rockingham Racer wrote:Ummm, apparently. It's all part of the "me first" ideology.

What! ... In New York???