Triple train breakdown causes hour-long delays

A rare triple breakdown of southbound Caltrain commute trains this morning has caused an hour-long delay throughout the commute system. Trains failed at 5:48 a.m. in Belmont, 7:15 a.m. in San Carlos and 7:50 a.m. at San Mateo, according to Caltrain spokesperson Christine Dunn.

Dunn said the delays should last throughout the morning commute period.

Dunn said the problems began at 5:48 a.m. when train #102 broke down at the Belmont station, and passengers were transferred to train #104.

Then at 7:15 a.m. train #206 broke down at the San Carlos station and passengers had to board trains #208 and #210.

Then at about 7:50 a.m. train #314 broke down at the San Mateo station, blocking the northbound track and adding to the train tangle. It was removed from the northbound track by 8:27 a.m., Dunn said, allowing other trains to again single-track on the northbound tracks through Burlingame and San Carlos.

There was no immediate indication as to why the three southbound trains might have suffered breakdowns in such close proximity.

— Palo Alto Online staff

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— Palo Alto Online staff

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— Palo Alto Online staff

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