11 hours ago
Amtrak passengers safe after train stuck in tunnel north of Baltimore during heat wave
Dozens of Amtrak passengers safe after train stuck in tunnel near Baltimore during heat wave
Dozens of Amtrak passengers safe after train stuck in tunnel near Baltimore during heat wave
Dozens of Amtrak passengers safe after train stuck in tunnel near Baltimore during heat wave
Dozens of Amtrak passengers are safe after a train got stuck in a tunnel without power north of Baltimore during a heat wave Monday.
Amtrak said the Northeast Regional 94 train stopped in a tunnel shortly after it departed from Baltimore Penn Station around 3:40 p.m.
Train breaks down in tunnel near Baltimore
Amtrak said the issue was caused by a locomotive malfunction.
According to passengers, the train quickly began to heat up after it stopped. Some train cars were without air conditioning even before it stopped moving, passengers told WJZ.
"The train completely lost power, we were in a dark tunnel. No power, no lights, no AC, and we were just waiting for updates from the train station," said passenger Destiny Thompson.
The train returned to Penn Station about an hour and 15 minutes after it stopped. Passengers said they then had to wait for another train to take them north toward their destinations.
According to Thompson, who was traveling from Virginia, this was not the first time the 94 train broke down on Monday.
Amtrak responds
Amtrak said passengers were given snacks and water after the train was stopped for nearly 30 minutes.
The company said passengers were also provided with train service to their final destinations.
"After a locomotive malfunction, passengers on Amtrak Train 94 were transferred to Baltimore Station and then provided train service to their final destination. Service recovery was initiated on board with snack packs and bottled water. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," a company spokesperson said in a statement.
Heat wave in Maryland
The Amtrak issues came as Maryland is experiencing a heat wave that sent feels like temperatures to triple digits on Monday.
The dangerous heat, which peaked at 98 degrees at BWI Airport on Monday, prompted concerns across the state.
Baltimore declared a Code Red extreme heat alert that will last through Thursday, June 26, as the heat wave is expected to continue.
With temperatures expected to reach the 100s again on Tuesday, residents have been advised to take precautions, such as dressing in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and taking breaks when outdoors.
