Passengers react to Amtrak delays

Guilford, Conn. (WTNH) - Amtrak service from Boston to New Haven was stalled in Guilford early Monday morning.

Around 8 a.m. a tree fell onto the overhead wire system and nearby tracks that runs through Guilford. As a result, there was a loss of power to trains in the Guilford area.

250 people were trapped on board an acela express Amtrak train heading from Boston to Washington, D.C. Busses are en route to take the passengers to New Haven. The east bound side of the tracks had power, so the train was able to make it to New Haven.

Service was suspended while crews were on the scene, clearing the damage and making repairs.

Due to the problems, passengers in New London faced delays.

"We're trying to head down to Philadelphia," said Pam Klose, of East Lyme. "I saw the trains can't get through Old Saybrook either so we might just end up driving because it's the same distance, four hours either way."

"That sounds like a plan," said Chris Butta, of Mystic. "Nothing you can do about it."

"I guess like the whole Amtrak is shut down," said Juliana Evangelista, of Boston, "so it was kind of scary cause I don't know how I'm gonna get back home."

Fortunately, Evangelista was Boston-bound, so she hitched a ride on a southbound train which was turned around.

"I"ve been waiting about an hour and 45 minutes and my meeting starts in early afternoon," said Michael Murphy, of Groton, "so this is great of Amtrak to be able to respond and get us there."

Later in the day maintenance crews gave some hope to southbound stranded travelers like Majid Hamo heading home to DC after finishing up finals at Mitchell College.

"Kind of ruins your day when you're told you've been delayed so," said Hamo, of New London.

By early afternoon Amtrak was able to get one of the tracks open in Guilford while the debris was being removed, so southbound trains began to roll with a bit of a delay.