Amtrak services to and from New York City’s Penn Station faced significant delays on Wednesday afternoon due to a train derailment near the station. This incident has caused disruptions at one of North America’s busiest passenger transportation hubs, impacting thousands of travelers.

The derailment occurred when a set of wheels from Train 133 derailed shortly after its departure from Penn Station at 2 PM ET. According to Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams, part of the train remained at the platform, allowing passengers to safely exit the train without any reported injuries.

As a result of the derailment, train delays began to accumulate, with initial reports indicating longer wait times for passengers. However, by 4 PM ET, delays had reportedly decreased to a range of 20 to 30 minutes. Amtrak has advised travelers that those with reservations on affected trains would typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or scheduled for another day.

For travelers looking to stay informed about train delays, Amtrak provides options to receive email or text notifications. Interested passengers can sign up for these alerts at Amtrak’s official website. Additionally, service updates can be monitored through Amtrak’s social media accounts dedicated to the Northeast Corridor and other routes.

Penn Station operates with a high volume of traffic, with each of its 21 tracks in use approximately every two minutes. The station caters to over 630,000 passengers daily across 1,345 trains, making it a critical hub for rail travel in the region.

This derailment comes at a time when New York City is hosting significant events, including Climate Week and the UN General Assembly, which further heightens the impact of the delays on both local and visiting passengers.

In related news, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown until December 20, allowing for continued federal funding and stability ahead of the upcoming elections. This legislative move is crucial for maintaining government operations and avoiding disruptions that could affect various sectors, including transportation.

As passengers navigate the delays caused by the derailment and the potential impacts of broader political developments, it is essential for travelers to remain informed and prepared for any changes to their travel plans.