Amtrak crash alters NC rail service

The Carolinian and Palmetto trains, which run between Charlotte and New York, will begin and end their routes in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star trains, which run between New York and Florida, and the Crescent trains, which run between New York and New Orleans, will begin and end their routes in Wilmington, Del.

Officials said they hope to resume service to and from New York on Thursday, although the federal investigation into the crash and the removal of the wreckage will determine when that stretch of rail reopens.

Signs posted inside the Amtrak terminal in Fayetteville stated that trains were running on schedule Wednesday, and officials notified passengers ticketed through to New York that they would have to arrange alternate travel from Philadelphia.

Joan Davis showed up at the terminal Wednesday morning ready to buy a ticket but decided to postpone her trip to Washington, D.C., once she learned of the train crash and the disrupted schedule.

"Actually, the train that I was scheduled to get on today from Fayetteville to D.C. is on time. but I just, with everything that went on, I just thought I'm going to wait a day," Davis said. "I don't have to get up there. I take the train all the time from Fayetteville to D.C. and back, and I just thought I'm going to wait."

Diane Stephenson had heard about the crash but didn't let it change her travel plans from Charleston, S.C.

"I thought I would be fine," Stephenson said, "The train didn't notify me. They usually will let you know it's going to be late or whatever. So, no, I didn't have any worries."

Amtrak officials said they will refund the cost of tickets for passengers who want to cancel or reschedule trips. Also, the New Jersey Transit system will honor Amtrak tickets to New York for passengers who get to Philadelphia and then find a way to cross over to Camden, N.J.