Derailment Disrupts Amtrak's NE Corridor

A freight train derailment Thursday halted Amtrak rail service between Washington and Baltimore, disrupting service on its heavily traveled Northeast Corridor line and stranding hundreds of passengers.

The disruption also threatened to delay the rush-hour commute Friday for thousands of passengers on Amtrak's flagship line between Washington and Boston.

Two cars of a freight train derailed in Bowie, Maryland, knocking out an electric pole that provides power to Amtrak trains, Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell said.

"We've lost power between Baltimore and Washington, so no trains are running between Baltimore and Washington right now," Connell said.

Connell said crews were working to restore electrical power but there was no word on when repairs would be completed.

"Some of the early morning trains will be canceled... we have no estimate yet on when full service will be restored."