A Metrolink train heading from beach cities to San Bernardino broke down with a mechanical issue in Anaheim Hills Saturday, temporarily stranding 500 passengers until a train from another route arrived to tow it to a station where the passengers could disembark.
The situation was reported about 4:25 p.m. Saturday when staff aboard Train 1858, the Inland Empire-Orange County Line, reported stopping between the Anaheim Canyon and Corona West stations with a mechanical problem, Metrolink spokeswoman Sabrina Davis told City News Service.
The train stopped in an area deemed unsafe for passengers to get out, Davis said. Nevertheless, several passengers did self-evacuate.
Train 1858 picks up passengers in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, and the route ends in downtown San Bernardino.
Metrolink called upon Train 1752, the 91/Perris Valley Line, to become the Rescue Set, Davis said. It stopped and was coupled to the disabled train to tow it to a maintenance yard in San Bernardino County, making stops in Corona and downtown Riverside to allow passengers to disembark.
Train 1858 passengers with valid fares were issued Uber vouchers for up to $50. Some 1,752 passengers were issued the vouchers and were provided with buses to take them the rest of the way to Perris, Davis said.
NBC4 reported that some passengers were being treated for heat exhaustion. Davis had not received any reports of heat exhaustion but noted that the Anaheim and Placentia fire departments and Anaheim Police Department responded to the scene where the disabled train had stopped. Video from the scene showed a large presence of fire department personnel.