PROPANE LEAK JAMS RAIL, AUTO TRAFFIC
A leaking propane tank in the vicinity of the Little Silver train station is causing road and rail backups in Red Bank, according police radio transmissions.
A train that’s been reported to have been sitting in the Red Bank station for more than 20 minutes is causing a tie-up at Monmouth Street, according to the report.
The train’s engineer told police he’s sticking to the rules and staying put. Police are talking about issuing a summons to the train.
The crossings at Monmouth and Bridge Avenue and Chestnut Street and Bridge Avenue are closed.
Fire personnel, who are responding to a 4:52p alarm at 106 Shrewsbury Avenue, have been advised of the shutdowns.
NJ Transit has been called and “will attempt to solve the problem,” according to a transmission at 4:43p. A subsequent report said that all passengers are about to be removed from the train, which will be backed up across the Navesink River.
A police report at 4:56p said the train was moving toward Little Silver to clear the gates at Monmouth and Chestnut, but there was concern that the train might then trip the gates at Drs. Parker Boulevard (West Bergen Place) and Maple Avenue.
NJTransit has suspended rail service between Red Bank and Long Branch.
Red Bank reported shortly after 5p that the train crew was preparing to head east toward Little Silver. There were conflicting reports as to whether the grade crossing at Broad Street at Newman Springs Road was closed.
We have no information yet on the propane leak, but Little Silver issued a call for all fire police to respond to Branch Avenue and Sunnycrest and Oceanport Avenue and Eastview Avenue as soon as possible shortly after 5p.