Friday Rail Commuters Should Expect Slowdowns

In a rush to get home this afternoon? If you'll be riding the train, you might need a little extra patience.

Trains could be running a bit late on Friday afternoon, according to transportation officials. 

The Maryland Transit Administration announced that heat orders are in effect on Brunswick and Camden rail lines until 7 p.m., causing 5- to 15-minute delays.

The slowdown is a precautionary measure, said officials.

“The intent is to increase... safety in hot weather that might cause continuous welded rail to bend or kink as a way of relieving pressure,” said Bob Sullivan, spokesman for CSX, the company that owns the rail lines. “Under normal circumstances, CSX applies heat orders in the Northeast as the ambient temperature nears 90 degrees....Rail temperature determines when action is necessary.”

Until the tracks cool off, how much will the trains have to slow down?

Between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., passenger trains must reduce speeds to go 20 mph under the allowed limit, said Sullivan. "However, no passenger train will be required to operate below 40 mph due to a heat order,” he said. “Freight trains must also reduce speeds under heat orders and will operate at the same or slower speeds than the passenger trains.”

See where your train is by using the MARC tracker.