by MadManMoon
Scary experience today on Vancouver Island!
I took the ferry out this morning to ride the Malahat from Nanaimo to Courtenay and back - didn't want to miss the opportunity to ride RDCs. The ride was uneventful until we returned to Nanaimo this afternoon. Just after the departing passengers got off, I noticed black smoke coming from the rear engine of RDC 6148. I pointed it out to the conductor, who immediately evacuated both cars. The smoke got worse, and flames started shooting out of one side. Everyone ran to the far side of the depot.
Someone called the Nanaimo Fire Department, who arrived on-scene within 5 minutes. The fire was out within a few minutes, with visible damage limited to the one engine compartment. After some deliberations, it was decided to continue on (after spending 1 hour at Nanaimo) with all passengers riding in the undamaged lead car (6135) and towing the now-dead 6148.
Luckily, no one was hurt, and the conductor and engineer (didn't catch their names) did a fantastic job of maintaining order and keeping control of the situation.
I'd post pictures, but I don't have a webhost - if someone can host 'em, I can send 'em to you to be linked here.
A decidedly more exciting day than I'd planned! I'm interested to see if it makes the news tomorrow.
Drew
I took the ferry out this morning to ride the Malahat from Nanaimo to Courtenay and back - didn't want to miss the opportunity to ride RDCs. The ride was uneventful until we returned to Nanaimo this afternoon. Just after the departing passengers got off, I noticed black smoke coming from the rear engine of RDC 6148. I pointed it out to the conductor, who immediately evacuated both cars. The smoke got worse, and flames started shooting out of one side. Everyone ran to the far side of the depot.
Someone called the Nanaimo Fire Department, who arrived on-scene within 5 minutes. The fire was out within a few minutes, with visible damage limited to the one engine compartment. After some deliberations, it was decided to continue on (after spending 1 hour at Nanaimo) with all passengers riding in the undamaged lead car (6135) and towing the now-dead 6148.
Luckily, no one was hurt, and the conductor and engineer (didn't catch their names) did a fantastic job of maintaining order and keeping control of the situation.
I'd post pictures, but I don't have a webhost - if someone can host 'em, I can send 'em to you to be linked here.
A decidedly more exciting day than I'd planned! I'm interested to see if it makes the news tomorrow.
Drew
Former Long Islander
Current LIRR Railfan
Current LIRR Railfan
