Stranded on the MBTA Sept. 16.,2009 6:15 to 7:50PM

On September 16,2009 I boarded the Red Line at 6:15PM at Central Square to meet a friend in South Station, a journey that normally takes about 15 minutes. We had to wait over the bridge for traffic. After leaving Charles MGH, the train went into the tunnel, and the train stopped again. The conductor announced on the intercom that there were switch problems and we should start moving momentarily. Then the lights went out (only the emergency lights stayed on), and we sat there in the dark for a few minutes. The conductor announced that there was also an electrical fire at Park St, and that we were in the hands of the fire dept to tell us when we could continue. We waited for a while longer, and all of a sudden the train started moving. We were relieved and thought that we were under way to Park Street, but then I noticed that the lights were still off.... AND we were moving. Suddenly the conductor bursts from the car behind us into our car and runs to the control room, fumbles for his keys, and opens the control room door. He pulled a hand break, which got the train to stop moving. A true close call since the train in front of us was likely pretty close, and between the two trains were firemen getting ready to evacuate our train.
They eventually evacuated us, and walked us through the tunnel, back to Charles St, which was a pretty cool experience! When I finally got out, it was 7:50PM

Things to note in the video:
They first say that we will not be evacuated, and then say that we actually will.
Conductor fumbling for keys to the control room
A still shot of the control room (pretty cool!!)
People were pretty calm and neighborly despite being caged up for so long
The girls on the right side were missing part of the Red Sox game they had tickets to, so they started singing to take their minds off it.
Most T workers not sure what is going on

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Boston
• MBTA
• Stranded
• Evacuation
• Tunnel
• Public
• Transportation
• Subway
• fire
• blackout
• train
• redline

[bradfromboston]

Nah, it was fun actually. Everyone was very friendly, plus we got to walk on the tracks through the tunnel! I hope nobody had to go to the bathroom though, not sure what they would have done!

[awesomecoolgary]

does the tracks have third rail?

[ReccaDreamer]

I guess it's good that even the staffs and everyone else try to keep positive even though it's sort of a "bad situation" during the duration of the stranding.

[sasukefreak12]

@redsoxguy617 same here. but u notice,the problem usually happen at downtown,park,or the mgh stop

[s7o0a0p]

Looks fun! It's a fantasy of mine to someday walk along MBTA tunnels! I've also always wanted to get stuck at Route 128 by taking the wrong Providence/Stoughton train! Yes, I'm serious!

[redsoxguy617]

were u scared, i would of been