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Amtrak Working To Restore Service To East Coast

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Amtrak is working to restore service between Chicago and its terminals in Washington and New York.

The two routes face different problems.

The route used by the Capitol Limited, linking Chicago and Washington, D.C., must be cleared of debris. Signals must be checked and repaired.

The route traveled by the Lake Shore Limited, between Chicago and New York, faces much bigger hurdles. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said the biggest challenge is clearing the water from the tunnels leading in and out of New York's Penn Station, and under the Hudson River.

In addition, repairs will be necessary to both the signals and the electrical distribution system that provides power to the trains, which are electrically-operated on the Northeast Corridor. That effort is underway, but Magliari wouldn't hazard a guess how long it will take – only that service in and out of Washington will be restored first.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts Reports

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