Amtrak train breaks down in East River tunnel

A regional Amtrak train headed from Washington, D.C., to Boston, had a mechanical failure in one of the East River tunnels leading from Penn Station Thursday, but the breakdown did not affect Long Island Rail Road service, officials from both railroads said.

The train suffered "a mechanical failure" and became disabled in one of the four tunnels at about 7:30 a.m., Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole said.

The train was later towed back into Penn Station for repairs, Cole said. It did not impact other Amtrak service.

An LIRR spokesman, Aaron Donovan, said the breakdown had no impact on LIRR service. The railroad uses the East River tunnels, which are owned and operated by Amtrak, for access to Penn.