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An Amtrak trip from Virginia to Florida turned into a nightmare for passengers, who were stuck on board for more than 29 hours after it was forced to take a detour when a freight train hit an unoccupied car on the tracks.
The entire journey from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida. was set to take around 17 hours. However, the train came to a halt in rural South Carolina on Monday around 11pm, when the accident forced the train to reroute, then wait for back-up crew.
During the lengthy delay, some of the frustrated 563 passengers on board started calling 911 to report they were being held hostage on the train. They were not allowed to deboard or allow their pets outside.
Passengers were also told not to open their windows or smoke on the train.
The Amtrak train stopped in rural South Carolina on Monday after a freight train derailed
At one point, a conductor could be heard over the loudspeaker asking passengers not to call the cops.
‘Once again, for those of you that are calling the police, we are not holding you hostage. We are giving you all the information in which we have and we are sorry about the inconvenience,’ he said.
To make matters worse, the train ran out of food after Amtrak employees provided passengers with ‘meals, snack packs, and beverages.’ However, it did stop in Savannah, Georgia, overnight and pizza was delivered to the train, according to Good Morning America (GMA).
With limited food options, disgusting bathrooms, and not being able to leave the train, many passengers said they felt trapped.
During the lengthy delay, some of the frustrated passengers on board started calling 911 to report they were being held hostage
The wait was extended because the train can only be operated by certified crew members. Passengers were not allowed to leave the train, nor walk their dogs, and at one point the food ran out
‘Every single person on this train is tired of their excuses,’ one customer said in a video filmed on board. ‘We all had places that we needed to be.’
‘AMTRAK AUTO TRAIN 53 southbound from yesterday (1/9) has been sitting on the tracks more than running south: officially, overdue in Sanford Florida. Officially, LATE, LATE, LATE,’ passenger Dale Kalkofen wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning.
A CSX freight train (pictured) derailed after plowing into an unoccupied vehicle on the tracks in Lake City around 11pm Monday
‘We have been sitting since 4pm in [South Carolina]. Still have to go to Savannah for a break to clean, restock and refuel. Then, at least 5 more hours to Sanford FL. Likely to arrive tomorrow [Wednesday] morning.’
Another passenger, Jim Snyder, who was traveling to Florida for a long vacation, wrote on Facebook: ‘Well, my five-week planned vacation to [Florida] has gotten off to a rousing start. Me and 350 of my closest vacationer friends are sitting on the Amtrak Auto Train from hell.’
Frustrated passenger Melanie Simms took to Facebook to also air her grievances, writing: ‘We have been on this track FOR HOURS! Delays are insane. Gonna run out of food soon on this train too. Horrible!! Amtrak is HORRIBLE! So tired of this. Delays, delays delays excuses excuses excuses and no resolution.’
Frustrated passengers took to Facebook to vent about their trip, with one calling it a trip from ‘hell’
The entire journey – including the delay and an overnight stop in Georgia – took 37 hours from start to finish. The trip was further delayed because certified crew members had maxed out on their service hours and more staff had to be brought in.
The train eventually pulled into Sanford, Florida, before 5am on Wednesday.
‘The trip took an extra 12 hours on top of the delays and earlier time on Amtrak before the derailment. Everyone was so tired and irritable by the time we finally made it to our destination but thank heavens we made it,’ Simms wrote.
Many customers said they would reach out for refund and Amtrak told DailyMail.com that it ‘will be working with each customer on fare refunds.’
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