The Overhead Power System failure was caused by a broken section insulator, but the support wire and the train contact wire did not break. The train came to a stop on the Slauson Station grade. Photo by Luis Inzunza

UPDATE: 9 p.m. Here’s a complete rundown of Blue Line’s modified schedule for tomorrow, Dec. 21, plus alternate travel options.

UPDATE 10 p.m. Repairs underway after the jump.

UPDATE: 5:30 p.m. – Report from Rail Operations Director Bruce Shelburne:

The Overhead Power System failure was caused by a broken section insulator. This caused the next passing train to take down the hanger support wires for approximately 2000 feet.

Good news. The support wire and the train contact wire did not break. At this time, only the hanger support wires, connecting the main support and train contact wires were damaged.

Bad news. The train came to a stop on the Slauson Station grade. The constant rain will require significant safety precautions to be in place before the train can be prepared to move.

Once the train is prepped for towing back to the Maintenance Yard, each car will have to be uncoupled and moved individually with a hi-rail truck, designed for the specific purpose of moving rail cars.

The primary problem with this operation is weight of the cars needing to be moved over wet rails on a grade. This action may need to be delayed until weather conditions improve, to provide for extra, wet weather safety measures to be in place.

Blue Line service will remain at trains every 20 minutes until further notice, until at least Wednesday. Peak periods will have two trains running back-to-back in the same direction, followed by two trains in the opposite direction.

Optional service via Green Line and Harbor Transitway buses, listed in the previous announcement should continue to be considered by all passengers.

Updates will continue to be made as necessary.

We apologize for the major inconvenience.

UPDATE 10 p.m. Repairs get underway

The disabled train was prepared for towing approximately 8 p.m.  Rail Fleet Maintenance personnel then coupled the hi-rail truck to the 3-car train and slowly backed it down the Slauson grade, maintaining control throughout the process.  The train and hi-rail vehicle made it to level ground without any significant complications.

The train has been moved to Florence and is awaiting a rescue train to tow it to the Blue Line Maintenance Facility in Long Beach. This action will be completed after service ends tonight so as not to create any more delays than are already being experienced.

Wayside Traction Power personnel now have to inspect, replace and repair 2000′ of various components to the overhead power supply.  This will include:

1) straightening of cantilever arms (they are attached perpendicular to the primary OCS poles between the tracks, sususpending the the support and contact lines over the trackway);

2) inspect and repair feeder cables as necessary (these take the power from main feed lines connected to the Traction Power Sub-Stations);

3) replace the failed section insulator;

4) replace and or repair the hanger wires between the support wire and the contact wire

Crews will be working all night and all day Tuesday to complete the task.  The work is definitely subject to weather conditions, as rain and wind will require slowing down the work to ensure personnel safety.

UPDATE: 9 p.m. Here’s a complete rundown of Blue Line’s modified schedule for tomorrow, Dec. 21, plus alternate travel options.

See previous post: Expect 25-minute delays on Blue Line; damage to overhead wires stalls train at Gage Ave. crossing