Train fire in Bucks halts some service

An engine fire in Bucks County on a New York-bound train carrying Atlantic City casino patrons temporarily halted service along a portion of the Northeast Corridor last night and sent three people to the hospital.

The injuries to the three passengers on the Atlantic City Express Services (ACES) train were not life-threatening, NJ Transit spokeswoman Penny Bassett Hackett said.

They were among 62 riders and four crew members evacuated from the four-car train after the 5:45 p.m. fire, which broke out in Morrisville, below Trenton.

Amtrak service in both directions between Philadelphia and Trenton was halted for several hours as workers repaired fire-related damage to the overhead electrical wires that power locomotives, Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Romero said. Service on two out of four tracks resumed at 7:55 p.m.

The engine fire was under investigation, NJ Transit officials said.

The ACES train service, launched a year ago, is operated by NJ Transit under contract with several Atlantic City hotels and casinos, Bassett Hackett said. The trains run on Amtrak tracks.

The train left Atlantic City at 3:22 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive in New York at 5:56 p.m., she said. It was running late when the fire broke out.