Fitchburg line resumes service after severe flash flooding in Leominster

The Fitchburg commuter rail line resumed regular service Tuesday after severe flash flooding in Leominster damaged the tracks last week, officials said.

With the city’s drainage system “overwhelmed” by heavy rains, the ground near North Leominster station washed out on Sept. 11, the MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services, the commuter rail operator, said in a statement. At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, service resumed Tuesday with train 411 outbound from North Station, officials said.

⚠️ Fitchburg Line:

🚆 Regular train service will resume between Wachusett & Shirley at 11:30 am today as the repairs to the Commuter Rail tracks in Leominster will be completed.

Fitchburg Train 411 (10:30 am from N. Station) will be the first to operate through Wachusett. pic.twitter.com/yB7SQ4O66J

— MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) September 19, 2023

Repairs included excavating, stabilizing and rebuilding the area, officials said. Crews used 3,000 tons of stone to repair the track bed and 188 feet of concrete pipe to repair the drainage system, officials said. More than nine inches of rain fell in the Leominster area during last week’s storm, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses and roadways.

Shuttle buses replaced the train from Wachusett to Shirley during repairs, the statement said.

“Riders depend on our services and I couldn’t be more proud of the decisions made to ensure safety during the storm but also to restore service so quickly,” MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said in the statement. “MBTA Railroad Operations, Keolis, and the crews worked tirelessly to rebuild the infrastructure caused by the severe flooding that affected so many.”