PATCO service returns to normal

PATCO resumed normal operations in time for the evening rush hour after copper thieves disrupted service on the High Speed Line once again.

Tim Ireland, a PATCO spokesman, said the theft was discovered about 8:20 a.m. after control center workers were alerted by a monitor light.

Crews found a length of cable had been taken from the westbound tracks west of the Ferry Avenue Station in Camden, he said.

The theft of the cable, which restricts the flow of power, in turn resulted in too much electricity going through the system, "frying some equipment," Ireland said.

The loss of the track forced PATCO to reduce service to every 25 minutes. Service returned to normal about 3:30 p.m.

Cooper theft is an "occasional problem" on the commuter railroad, Ireland said.

Riders suffered delays in September when switches were disabled by the theft of copper wires between Ferry and Haddon Avenues in Camden.