Wire sets fire to MBTA signal hut, disrupting commuter rail service

Commuters on the Franklin/Foxboro and Providence/Stoughton lines started the work week with schedule adjustments in place while crews repair damage caused when a catenary wire came down and ignited a key signal bungalow Friday.

Commuter rail operator Keolis said the changes are temporary and could change over the course of what could be several weeks of repairs.

Keolis said the service changes "are necessary to allow for safe Commuter Rail operations while crews repair significant damage to a critical interlocking, caused by a downed Amtrak catenary wire."

"The downed catenary wire ignited a key signal bungalow at Read Interlocking where the Franklin/Foxboro Line splits off from the mainline near Hyde Park Station. Amtrak maintenance crews are working closely with the MBTA and Keolis to assess the damage and make necessary repairs," Keolis said Sunday.

Starting Monday, all inbound Franklin/Foxboro Line trains will bypass Forest Hills, Ruggles and Back Bay stations. Passengers who typically get off there are advised to either transfer to an inbound Providence Line train at Readville, or remain on the train until it arrives at South Station and then either transfer to an outbound train or take MBTA subway service.

After 9 a.m. each day, all inbound Franklin/Foxboro Line trains from Forge Park will originate at Franklin Station and Forge Park passengers are advised to arrive early to take a shuttle bus to Franklin Station. And the 6:58 a.m. Foxboro Line train to South Station will now start its trip from Walpole Station.

Outbound on the Franklin/Foxboro Line, three additional midday trains will stop at Hyde Park Station, where buses will be available to shuttle riders to Readville Station for connections to other service. And the 5:32 p.m. Foxboro train from South Station will now terminate at Walpole, with buses running the rest of the way to Foxboro.

On the Providence/Stoughton Line, some trains into Boston will make added stops at Readville and Forest Hills stations, and passengers will not be able to board outbound Providence/Stoughton Line trains at Hyde Park Station.