Trending Now - Train Services Disrupted as Penn Station Fire Investigation Continues
WHO:
New York Daily News - Amtrak, LIRR, NJ Transit, and Amtrak train No. 2155 involved in the incident.
New York Daily News - A source with knowledge of the incident provided details about the cause of the fire.
WHAT:
New York Daily News - The electrical fire was likely caused by a loose panel from the second car of Amtrak train No. 2155 that made contact with the third rail just inside the East River Tunnel.
New York Daily News - The delays and cancellations for NJ Transit could continue into Saturday.
New York Daily News - Only one track through the East River Tunnel was in service as of Friday afternoon due to ongoing repairs.
Gothamist - An electrical fire disrupted train travel at Penn Station since Thursday.
New York Daily News - The fire was likely caused by a loose panel on an Amtrak Acela train making contact with the third rail.
New York Daily News - Nearly all LIRR traffic was re-routed to Grand Central Madison, and NJ Transit trains were diverted to Hoboken Terminal.
New York Daily News - Tracks Nos. 3 and 4 were set to reopen Saturday morning at 5 a.m. after repairs to the signal system were completed.
WHERE:
Gothamist - The incident occurred at Penn Station, New York City.
New York Daily News - The East River Tunnel was the location of the electrical fire.
WHEN:
New York Daily News - The electrical fire occurred on Thursday morning.
New York Daily News - Repairs to the signal system were completed, and tracks Nos. 3 and 4 were set to reopen Saturday morning at 5 a.m.
New York Daily News - A strike deadline for LIRR unions was set for 12:01 a.m.
WHY:
New York Daily News - The fire was likely caused by a loose panel that shorted out the signaling system near a rail switch.
HOW:
New York Daily News - The hanging metal panel bridged the gap between the DC-powered third rail, which carries more than 700 volts, and the running rail, which is part of the low-voltage system governing the LIRR’s signaling system, causing an electrical surge that overloaded the signaling system.
New York Daily News - The loose panel from the Amtrak train made contact with the third rail, causing an electrical surge that overloaded the signaling system.
(UPDATED May 16, 2026 13:20 UTC)
An electrical fire on Amtrak train No. 2155 was likely caused by a loose metal panel from the second car making contact with the third rail inside the East River Tunnel, leading to significant disruptions. As a result, NJ Transit is experiencing delays and cancellations that could extend into Saturday, with only one track through the tunnel in service due to ongoing repairs. The incident occurred when the panel created a connection between the high-voltage third rail and the low-voltage running rail, resulting in an electrical surge that overloaded the signaling system.
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(UPDATED May 16, 2026 05:53 UTC)
An electrical fire at Penn Station in New York City has disrupted train travel since Thursday, likely caused by a loose panel on an Amtrak Acela train that made contact with the third rail. As a result, nearly all Long Island Rail Road traffic has been re-routed to Grand Central Madison, while NJ Transit trains have been diverted to Hoboken Terminal. Tracks Nos. 3 and 4 are set to reopen Saturday morning at 5 a.m. after repairs to the signal system were completed.