Train derails in Penn Station tunnel, causing delays for rush-hour commuters

An Amtrak work train derailed on the Albany track, causing chaos for rush-hour commuters Friday morning and ruining one Romeo’s Valentine’s Day plans.

The train derailed at 11:16 p.m. Thursday inside the Empire Tunnel just north of Penn Station, Amtrak said. Multiple trains were canceled and rerouted as workers rushed to repair the tracks, and service didn’t resume until 1 p.m.

The mayhem meant Yonkers man Edwin Lugo, 22, found himself stuck as he tried to get to Buffalo to prepare a romantic Valentine’s Day meal for his girlfriend.

“You’ve got people late for work, waiting to go away for the weekend, people going away for Valentine’s Day. It’s frustrating because there’s been no communication,” Lugo said. “I was going to cook a little, but now I think we’re going to get some takeout instead.”

Others had their weekend plans ruined.

“It’d be nice if we had other options but apparently this is the only train,” said 26-year-old Kara Bushel, of Long Island, who was on her way to a ski trip upstate. She’d been waiting for her train since 7 a.m.

“It’s annoying because you get up at the butt crack of dawn,” she said. “I got myself an extra doughnut so I’m feeling a little better.”

The cause is still under investigation, according to an Amtrak spokesperson. There were no injuries.

“Amtrak forces are working to re-rail the equipment,” the spokesperson said. “Service is impacted in and out of New York Penn Station for trains traveling to or from Albany and other points north on the Empire Line.”

Amtrak advised passengers coming from Yonkers that they will be “accommodated” on Metro-North through Grand Central Station. Service for other destinations had picked back up by late Friday morning.

Additional reporting by David Meyer