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CSX rail problems stranded VRE, Amtrak passengers Date published: 8/20/2003 By EDIE GROSS Computer worm blamed for CSX rail problems that stranded passengers
Passengers on Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak trains were stranded yesterday morning when part of CSX Railroad's signal and communications system failed. VRE had to cancel four of its six Fredericksburg line trains and two of its six Manassas line trains during the early morning rush hour. The 1:05 p.m. train from Washington to Fredericksburg was also canceled, said spokesman Mark Roeber, who estimated that 6,500 commuters were affected. Ten Amtrak passenger trains were stalled by the system failure, said Amtrak spokesman Dan Stessel. Delays ranged from 40 minutes for a northbound train leaving Richmond to six hours for a train on its way from Miami to New York, he said. Amtrak service north of Washington was not affected, Stessel said. CSX blamed the "significant slowdowns" on a computer virus that infected its network. In a press release, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based company said it suspected that the same worm responsible for disabling computer systems worldwide--including plenty here in Virginia--was behind CSX's troubles. The worm disrupted the network that controls CSX's signals and its communication between dispatchers and trains. The problem apparently began around 1 a.m. VRE officials said they weren't notified until close to 5 a.m., only 15 minutes before the first Fredericksburg train was scheduled to leave for D.C. Roeber said that VRE has asked CSX for earlier notice in the future so they can make arrangements for passengers.
To reach EDIE GROSS: 540/374-5428 egross@freelancestar.com
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