GOLD LINE: wires repaired and regular service resumes for Tuesday am commute

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Ongoing repairs to the Gold Line overhead wires on Monday afternoon just south of Del Mar Station in Pasadena. Photos by Steve Hymon/Metro.

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UPDATE, 8:25 p.m.: The overhead wires are repaired and service is resuming on both tracks. Trains will be running every 14 minutes for the remainder of Monday evening with speed restrictions in the area just south of Del Mar Boulevard.

Regular weekday service is planned for the Tuesday morning commute with some mid-day maintenance work. Metro thanks riders for their patience and our apologies for any inconvenience Sunday night or today.

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UPDATE, 1:18 p.m.: While repairs are expected to continue, here is the service plan for afternoon peak service on the Metro Gold Line:

Starting at approximately 3:30 p.m., trains between Atlantic and Fillmore will run every nine minutes through close of service. Trains between Atlantic and APU/Citrus will run every 18 minutes through close of service, sharing the northbound track at Del Mar, Memorial Park and Lake stations.

All trips will operate with three-car trains to accommodate more passengers. Please remember to use the entire platform to reduce boarding time. Supplementary bus shuttles will continue to provide extra service between Fillmore and Allen stations.

As we’ve already mentioned, thank you to everyone who’s been inconvenienced today. We appreciate you for your patience this evening as we work to restore regular service as soon as possible. Customers should please check back here at The Source, or on Twitter @metrolosangeles or @metrolaalerts, for the latest updates.

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UPDATE, 12:35 p.m.: evening commute is expected to be impacted due to ongoing repairs. We will have update soon on service levels.

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UPDATE, 11:16 a.m.: The track department has requested control of Del Mar interlocking, which means trains have returned to sharing one track between South Pasadena and Lake Station. Customers can expect up to 30 min delays in Pasadena until further notice. Bus shuttles are also available for extra service from Highland Park to Allen.

On behalf of Metro, we’d like to thank everyone for their patience as crews work to repair the power supply wires. Please continue to check here or on Twitter @metrolosanageles or @metrolaalerts for the latest updates.

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UPDATE, 8:30 a.m.: For those who need delay verification because of this morning’s Gold Line delays, please call 213.922.6235 or email CustomerRelations@metro.net.

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UPDATE, 6:55 a.m.: Work crews have released the interlocking, or track crossover point at Del Mar, allowing for a shorter single tracking segment. Trains are now arriving every 15 to 20 minutes and sharing one track from Del Mar to Lake Station. Supplementary shuttle locations are now at Fillmore, Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake and Allen.

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UPDATE, 5:14 a.m. Monday: As repairs to the Metro Gold Line’s power supply system continue, trains will share one track between Lake and South Pasadena Station and run approximately every 25 minutes in both directions.

All trains are currently running with three cars to hold more passengers. We encourage customers to use the entire platform for faster boarding. Supplementary bus shuttles are also providing express service from Highland Park to Allen Station during morning rush.

Please continue to follow here at The Source, or on Twitter @metrolosanageles or @metrolaalerts for additional updates.

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UPDATE, 9:45 p.m.: delays are now expected to impact the Monday morning commute. At this time, the plan is to run trains on a weekend schedule with supplemental bus shuttle service. Please check back for further updates regarding bus shuttles.

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The problem involves 150 feet of damaged and downed overhead wire south of Del Mar Boulevard in Pasadena — the wires deliver the electricity that powers the trains. The problem was first reported at 7:58 p.m. and Gold Line trains are sharing one track between South Pasadena and Lake stations with 25 minute delays in both directions.

Metro crews are on scene and as 0f 9 p.m. are assessing the damage and coordinating the necessary repairs. There is no estimate yet when repairs will be complete and typically these type of repairs can be complicated and require time — meaning the delays could still be in effect for the Gold Line’s Monday morning commute.

Please check our general Twitter stream or service alert-only Twitter stream for the latest updates. Media, social media users and bloggers: please feel free to use the above photos. Credit: “Metro.”

 

8 replies

  1. Are the 25 min midday delays going to continue throughout the week as well or just today as well??

  2. There was no indication at the Fillmore Gold Line station at 6:50-7 a.m. that shuttles were available. The platform was very crowded.

  3. Crowding is terrible on Gold Line at rush hour. We need more train cars!

  4. Need some battery electric trains. Japan and Britain already have some in commercial service. They could cover the 9 mile gap to North Pomona in peak hour using the single track freight track, at a time when freight trains aren’t operating, then continue on the Gold Line like a normal light rail train (and not be affected by downed wires). This could be an interim measure to build up the market until the full light rail is extended.

    • Interesting idea, but it would probably take as long as the next LR extension to put into service; CPUC approval, equipment purchase / lease, storage tracks all are needed. And the magical funding would come from ??

  5. I appreciate the rapid response, but weren’t these the same wires that were inspected and repaired less than a year ago?

    What exactly is happening to these wires that are causing them to degrade so quickly?

    • It would be nice if Metro would let us know when these wires were last replaced.