Passengers on an Amtrak train were evacuated yesterday after enduring over an hour without air conditioning while stuck in a tunnel north of Baltimore. The incident occurred during a sweltering heatwave, with temperatures pushing into the upper 90s. The Northeast Regional 94 train, which originated from Wilmington, North Carolina, experienced a locomotive malfunction shortly after departure from Baltimore Penn Station at approximately 3:40 p.m., as stated by CBS News Baltimore.
In the darkness of the tunnel, conditions quickly deteriorated, with passengers reporting difficulty breathing due to the rising heat. Passenger Laura Evans, who provided Fox Baltimore with video footage, described an atmosphere of discomfort and frustration. After power was lost, the train was not only dark but excessively hot, prompting concerns for passenger well-being.
Amtrak's response included transferring passengers to a different train and offering service recovery measures, including snacks and bottled water. However, according to accounts from passengers, the situation at Baltimore Station was one of disarray. Travelers were left to find any northbound train with space available, as the provided relief train was already full. "There was just no direction," Evans said in her interview with CBS News Baltimore, expressing dissatisfaction with how the incident was managed. Some made their arrangements, boarding other services such as the Acela.
Amid the travel chaos, the broader implications of the heatwave were being felt across Maryland's transportation infrastructure. Speed restrictions were in effect for the day, with the potential for minor delays on public transport. The severity of the heatwave was highlighted by Baltimore's activation of a Code Red extreme heat alert through Thursday, June 26.
