Smoke from engine forces evacuation of passengers from MBTA commuter rail train
Officials said “at no time” was there any risk to anyone aboard.
A Boston-bound MBTA commuter rail train from Kingston experienced a mechanical malfunction during the Thursday morning commute, causing smoke in the engine and prompting an evacuation of all aboard in Hanson. In an email, Lisa Battiston, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, said the issue was reported by train crews around 6:45 a.m. “A turbocharger malfunctioned, causing some engine lube oil to be exposed to extremely high temperatures, which caused smoke conditions,” she said. “At no time was there any risk to passengers or employees. With safety as a top priority, the fire department was on scene as a precautionary measure.”
Kingston Train 034 (6:19 am from Kingston) has been terminated at Hanson Station today due to a mechanical issue. Updates to follow.
— MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) November 29, 2018
CORRECTION: Kingston Train 034 (6:19 am from Kingston) remains stopped at Hanson due to a mechanical issue. Passengers from Whitman inbound will be able to board an extra train running on 036’s schedule.
— MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) November 29, 2018
Update: An extra train has departed Whitman making all local stops to accommodate passengers en route to South Station.
— MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) November 29, 2018
Kingston Line Update: The disabled train will be cleared shortly. An outbound train will move through Hanson Station around 8:50 am and pick up passengers en route to Kingston Station.
— MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) November 29, 2018
Hanson police said as of 8:12 a.m. evacuated passengers were being transferred to another train.
A fire on an engine at the Hanson T Station is causing a delays this morning. The fire is out. No one was injured. Passengers are being transferred to another train. Please contact the MBTA for further information.
— Hanson Police Dept. (@HansonMAPolice) November 29, 2018
Photos and videos on social media showed crowds of passengers waiting on the train platform and smoke billowing from the locomotive’s engine.
https://twitter.com/mlmka58/status/1068116046027112450
https://twitter.com/dandufresne/status/1068122546384642049
Kingston @MBTA_CR on fire. Passengers evacuated. pic.twitter.com/l5XUpjGXqI
— Arthur (@apbeecher) November 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/AmakaUbakaTV/status/1068127012433350656
