Power problems stranded nearly 300 commuters aboard an Acela train bound for Boston, which ground to a halt in Stonington on Thursday evening, according to a spokesperson for Amtrak.
Amtrak officials said train No. 2164 lost power in Stonington around 6:25 p.m. Although the cause is still under investigation, a railroad spokesperson said ice and snow coating overhead power lines is likely to blame.
The train was heading from Washington, D.C. to Boston and was scheduled to arrive at 6:34 p.m., according to the Amtrak website.
Passengers said they saw sparks out the window as the power fizzled out. They were food, toilets and overhead lights for more than two hours as they waited to transfer trains.
A spokesperson for Amtrak said a rescue train arriving on the adjacent track also lost power. A second relief train, No. 176 on the Northeast Regional line, arrived around 9:45 p.m.
Passengers were expected to arrive in Boston at 11:02 p.m., according to a status report on the Amtrak website. The relief train was originally scheduled to arrive in South Station at 8:12 p.m.
