Due to damage to overhead catenary wires that power the Blue Line trains, service will remain at trains every 20 minutes until further notice. Peak periods will have two trains running back-to-back in the same direction, followed by two trains in the opposite direction.

Passengers are encouraged to use the Silver Line, Lines 450x and 460 and Green Line as alternate routing. Express zone charges for Harbor Transitway services are being waived until disruption is over. (See service advisory for current Blue Line schedule and alternate route details.)

Weather conditions throughout the night delayed attempted efforts by Wayside Traction Power personnel.  As of this time, there is no anticipated completion time, due to weather conditions expected for the next 24-36 hours. Plan on modified service levels  for Wednesday, December 22.

Full report from Rail Operations director Bruce Shelburne after the jump.

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Tuesday 9 a.m.:  Blue Line Overhead Power Incident at Gage Ave.

Report from Rail Operations director Bruce Shelburne updates the status of repairs underway to return the Blue Line to full operations:

After revenue service last night, the incident train was moved from Florence Station to the Blue Line Maintenance Facility.

Weather conditions throughout the night delayed attempted efforts by Wayside Traction Power personnel. With part of the incident area including the incline from Gage up to Slauson Station, hi-rail equipment could not be positioned properly, due to wet rails and lack of traction. This will continue to hamper the repair effort.

The following work remains to be completed:

1) straightening of 6 cantilever arms (they are attached perpendicular to the primary OCS poles between the tracks, suspending the the support and contact lines over the trackway);

2) repair feeder cables as necessary (these take the power from main distribution line connected to the Traction Power Sub-Stations);

3) replace the failed section insulator and repair broken support wire at the initial damage location;

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

Crews are continuing to work to complete the repairs, as weather conditions allow. Once all repairs are made, a series of tests will have to be completed before the section of track / overhead power supply will be allowed to return to service.

Train service:

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

Alternate Bus Service:

Passengers are encouraged to use the Silver Line, Lines 450x and 460 and Green Line as alternate routing. Express zone charges for Harbor Transitway services are being waived until disruption is over.

Southbound passengers at 7th St./Metro Center Station can board Silver Line on Flower, at 7th St., next to the Coffee Bean. Ride to the Harbor Green Line Station. Transfer to the Green Line “Norwalk” eastbound trains. Upon arrival at Imperial/Wilmington Station, exit the train and transfer to the Blue Line to continue south.

Northbound passengers can exit Blue Line trains at Imperial/Wilmington Station and transfer to the Green Line “Redondo Beach” westbound trains. Ride to the Harbor Green Line Station. Exit and transfer to the northbound Silver Line, Lines 450X and 460 buses on the freeway bus level boarding platform. Ride to downtown, exiting on Figueroa at 7th St. (7th St./Metro Center Station).

Expected Completion of Repairs and Return to Service:

As of this time, there is no anticipated completion time, due to weather conditions expected for the next 24-36 hours. At this time, plan on modified service levels, as noted above, for Wednesday, December 22.

The next scheduled update to the status of repair will be Tuesday evening. Should any unusual events occur prior to that, an immediate update will be issued.

What was happening: Blue Line delays likely to continue through Wednesday