Suspicious Package At Penn Station Delayed Trains: Police

BALTIMORE, MD — The tracks have reopened after a suspicious package investigation at Baltimore's Penn Station. Train traffic had been brought to a standstill Thursday afternoon, with Amtrak and MARC trains stopped as well as the light rail, according to the Baltimore Office of Emergency Management.

The Baltimore Police Department, which assisted Amtrak Police after receiving a report of a suspicious package, said the tracks had reopened by 6:15 p.m., and trains had resumed operations.

Officials first reported there was an issue before 4 p.m., when the Maryland Transit Administration said that Penn Line Train 439 (which had a 3:45 p.m. departure time from Penn Station) was being held due to police activity.

"We are advancing trains as far North of Union Station as possible. The extent of the delay is still unknown," the Maryland Transit Administration said in a statement at 4:45 p.m. "The situation is ongoing, and at this time there is no estimated time for resumption of service in or out of Penn Station. Alternative plans are being discussed to accommodate passengers. Plans for individual trains will be announced as the information becomes available."

"Out of an abundance of caution, train traffic has been temporarily suspended coming in and out of the station," the Baltimore Police Department said in a statement before 4:50 p.m.

After 6 p.m., police said trains were moving.

Here are some schedule changes, according to transit officials:

• Light Rail trains resumed service to Penn Station at 7:25 p.m. Light RailLink is still experiencing minor delays in north and southbound service.
• Amtrak 186 (7:10 p.m. departure time from Washington) will offer limited capacity to MARC Passengers at New Carrollton, B.W.I. and Penn stations only.
• Penn Line Train 579 (departure time 6:25 p.m. Perryville) is estimated to depart with a 100 to 120-minute delay due to late arriving equipment.
• Penn Line Train 447 (5:50 departure from Penn Station) has been canceled for this evening's service due to previous police activity at Penn Station
• Penn Line Train 440 (departure time 5:25 p.m. from Union Station) has departed and is operating with a 70 to 75-minute delay.
• Penn Line Train 536 (departure time 5:10 p.m. from Union Station) has departed and is operating with a 70 to 75-minute delay.