JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Four people were taken to the hospital for treatment of “heat-related issues” after Amtrak’s southbound Floridian was halted by mechanical problems today (Sunday, June 29, 2025), WJXT-TV reports.
Train No. 41 was en route from Chicago to Miami when it was delayed in Nassau County, Fla., north of Jacksonville, about 10:30 a.m. Nassau County Fire Rescue told the station that 16 people were treated, and that all patients and passengers are in stable condition. The fire agency said it provided trucks of water and ice for passengers.
Among the passengers on board were Scouting America troops returning to Sarasota, Fla., from North Carolina; the parent of two of the scouts told WJXT that her children had said the train had lost all power, knocking out the air conditioning. The mother, Sarah Hollibaugh, said one of her boys was receiving medical attention for heat exhaustion.
The train status feature on Amtrak’s website shows the train was stopped for a “mechanical assessment for the locomotive,” and a rescue engine was to take the train to Jacksonville, where passengers were to receive bus transportation between Jacksonville and Miami.
A photo on the website of WJAX-TV shows a CSX locomotive coupled to the train’s two Siemens Chargers; that station also said passengers reported temperatures on board the train reached 95 degrees. A number of posts on social media from earlier today say they are from passengers pleading for help, with one post saying the temperature on board was over 120 degrees.
“Amtrak was able to source alternative bus transportation, and customers were able to board these buses about 3:45 p.m. p.m. ET,” Amtrak said in a statement to the station. “174 customers boarded the bus, and 72 stayed on board. Officers from the Amtrak Police Department and local EMS were at the scene to render aid in real-time. As of now, all customers are receiving refunds in full, as well as vouchers for their travel.”
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority told WJXT that it had sent five buses to the site of the train’s breakdown to take passengers to Amtrak’s Jacksonville station.
— This is a developing story. Trains News Wire will provide additional information as it becomes available.
I’m assuming Chargers are like most HEP set-ups and only one unit is providing “hotel power” at a time. Trying to synch AC generators would be fairly complicated. One locomotive is usually supposed to be able to power around 20 cars or so as I remember it.
Could someone with knowledge please clarify – Each unit has an HEP generator. Are both normally engaged when in service or just one? Does it depend on the length of the train? Did both have to fail here, or is it possible that one was out of service? Or one failed and the other couldn’t handle the train load without tripping out?
The Siemens motors are a disgrace and a disaster. Amtrak IG really needs to take a hard look at the whole history regarding the procurement of this expensive junk. Amtrak should have just went into the used four axle freight locomotive market, found some good ones and rebuilt them for passenger service. That is if Amtrak could find someone competent or not taking bribes to do it.
I don’t remember a similar passenger train situation. Of course, in the days before A/C the windows could be opened.
I know there were plenty of times trains were stranded without help for too long but it usually happened in winter.
A dangerous outcome to be expected if you are stuck for hours on a hot Amtrak train… (Unfortunately, problems with the national rail operator’s Siemens Mobility ALC-42 Charger locomotives persist).
Dr. Güntürk Üstün