PATCO train stalls on bridge; riders removed
About 250 passengers were evacuated from a westbound PATCO train after it became disabled on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge this morning.
About 250 passengers were evacuated from a westbound PATCO train after it became disabled on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge this morning.
A "blown motor" caused the train to stall about 6:30 a.m. on the bridge's northern side, according to Ed Kasuba, spokesman for the Delaware River Port Authority, which operates the PATCO High Speed Line between South Jersey and Philadelphia.
Riders of PATCO experienced major delays for more than an hour and-a-half as eastbound and westbound trains were forced to alternate using the single track on bridge's south side.
"Service back to normal at 8:14," Kasuba said.
The stranded passengers were transferred to a "rescue train" at about 7:15 a.m., Kasuba said.
The rescue train traveled to City Hall station in Camden, and switched tracks, then headed westbound back across the bridge into Philadelphia, he said.
The right westbound lane of the bridge was closed at 6:30 a.m., as police cars with flashing lights forced cars to steer clear of the scene, near the top of the bridge.
Police officers were also on the train to keep things orderly, Kasuba said.
Each car has its own motor, Kasuba explained.
After the passengers were removed, a four-car train came up from Jersey to couple to the disabled train. The seven cars with good motors were then able to move the whole group back to Camden.
