PaulM
Engineer
It was a first, at least for me.
I was on 383, the night train to Qunicy, about 35 miles from its destination when the lights went out. The conductress got on the PA and said don't be alarmed, the lights were turned off deliberatlly because the engineer needed to reboot, as we began to coast gradually to a stop (I'm sure most of the passengers didn't know, but soon learned, that reboot is a euphemism for we're in big trouble)
.
She then announced that the computer says the engine was short of water coolant; and couldn't be rebooted. Then she said there was a leak in the water line; and they would try to get enough water, probably from a fire department, to get us to our destination. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later two fire engines pulled to the side of the train on a little used state highway less than 50 feet away. All we could see was the flashing lights of the two fire engines. After another hour, the lights came back on; we heard two toots of the horn, and we were off without further problems.
Other than not explaining why it took the firemen about an hour to water the engine (maybe their hose nozzle didn't match the engine opening), the conductress did the best job I've ever seen of keeping passenger informed.
Augusta, Il volunteer fire department
I was on 383, the night train to Qunicy, about 35 miles from its destination when the lights went out. The conductress got on the PA and said don't be alarmed, the lights were turned off deliberatlly because the engineer needed to reboot, as we began to coast gradually to a stop (I'm sure most of the passengers didn't know, but soon learned, that reboot is a euphemism for we're in big trouble)
.
She then announced that the computer says the engine was short of water coolant; and couldn't be rebooted. Then she said there was a leak in the water line; and they would try to get enough water, probably from a fire department, to get us to our destination. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later two fire engines pulled to the side of the train on a little used state highway less than 50 feet away. All we could see was the flashing lights of the two fire engines. After another hour, the lights came back on; we heard two toots of the horn, and we were off without further problems.
Other than not explaining why it took the firemen about an hour to water the engine (maybe their hose nozzle didn't match the engine opening), the conductress did the best job I've ever seen of keeping passenger informed.
Augusta, Il volunteer fire department
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