An EL of an evacuation: Part 2

Walking south on the northbound CTA Red Line tracks just north of the Granville stop. Evacuated from southbound Red Line train the morning of March 1st, 2008 due to power failure on both southbound tracks in that area. My son and wife are the ones usually visible, and I am blathering on and laughing inanely to make sure that he thinks this is fun. He was very excited to get to do this.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• CTA
• evacuation
• chicago
• train
• third
• rail

[vegetachik7]

I never even knew that people had to evacuate the red line. I didn't even see anything on the news. Guess the CTA didn't want to cover screw-ups on both the blue line and the red line within the same month.

[backstagejobs]

They only evacuated our train, as the problem was just on that section of third rail, not the rest of the system or the train itself. All other trains were able to move into stations. It ended up that they fixed the problem within 30 minutes of getting us off and to the Granville stop, but they didn't know how long it would take at first, so they just gave us passes for the buses.

[ipodspartan]

Was it hard to get off the train?

[backstagejobs]

Not really, though the last step was bit tricky. It was easier than expected, and there was no 3rd rail on the side we got off, so that helped with worrying about what to avoid. (of course, the sudden loss of power to the third rail was what caused the evacuation in the first place...)

[IBMeddling]

It seems to me the the CTA could have better evacuating procedures than to just have you guys walking on the tracks. (I don't know, like a push hand cart down the tracks) LOL

[backstagejobs]

Actually, walking down the center of the tracks (on the ballasted sections like we were on) is the standard procedure. It is the flattest and most stable areas, as opposed to the loose ballast on either side. Plus you have a given path to walk on that keeps you away from the third rail. Obviously, the procedure is different on the elevated structure sections, or in the tunnels.

[Ibucfio]

Ya pretty scary with kid next to the third rail but I'm sure the lady was holding on like a vise.

[parkman35]

Power or no power...I would've been scared out of my wits walking near that third rail...especially with a snow covered surface that someone could easily fall on.....