Metro-North service back to normal

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - Rail service is back to normal if you are thinking about taking the train into New York City.

Metro North trains are running on schedule after downed wires in Greenwich caused trains from Stamford into Grand Central Terminal to be suspended for several hours on Saturday.

The problem stranded thousands of train travelers.

Trains were back online and people were moving again shortly before 11 o’clock Saturday night.

Metro-North spokesman Dan Brucker said damaged equipment on two commuter trains pulled down the overhead electrical lines on separate tracks near Greenwich.

Two tracks were shut down shortly after 3:15 p.m. when the overhead arms on a train ripped down some lines just west of Greenwich. About a half hour later, another train on a separate track pulled down more wires, forcing the railroad to suspend all service.

Earlier Saturday night Brucker wasn't clear how soon repairs could be made. He said because of the volume of passengers on the New Haven line, it was not practical to run bus service between the two cities.

Train service between New Haven and Stamford was running. But travelers could not go directly into Grand Central Station, or leave from Grand Central. However, diesel train service between Grand Central Terminal and Stamford was running by early Saturday evening.

Amtrak service in the area was also affected.

Thousands of customers were affected Saturday afternoon and evening.

"The New Haven line is our biggest line in terms of miles, customers, and trains so even on a weekend it has large ridership numbers," Brucker stated. "So many thousands were affected."