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Power line problems disrupt SEPTA rail service

Subfreezing temperatures appear to be a factor in the power line problems affecting SEPTA rail service.

File Photo: A SEPTA Train on the tracks between 30th Street Station and Suburban Station. Service was disrupted Thursday morning due to possibly weather related power line problems.
File Photo: A SEPTA Train on the tracks between 30th Street Station and Suburban Station. Service was disrupted Thursday morning due to possibly weather related power line problems.Read moreCLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer

Overhead power line problems disrupted service on some SEPTA Regional Rail lines Thursday morning.

Service was suspended for a time on the Manayunk/Norristown Line and remained suspended on the Chestnut Hill East Line as of 10 a.m. due the problems, triggering delays of up to 40 minutes on other lines.

Overhead power problems are often related to subfreezing temperatures, but SEPTA said that while the weather appeared to be a factor Thursday, rail officials were still reviewing the situation to determine the causes.

In extremely cold weather, overheard power lines can contract and even snap, experts say. Rails also can contract in a deep freeze, requiring trains to operate at slower speeds.

In the meantime, service on NJ Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line between 30th Street Station and Cherry Hill was suspemnded for a time because the Delair railroad bridge across the Delaware River got stuck in the up position.