by bobbarbn
Power outlets turned off on Acela after circuits shorted
(Washington-AP, July 19, 2006 11:55 AM) _ Passengers on Amtrak's premium high-speed Acela service who tried to plug in their laptops or recharge their cell phones in recent weeks have been unexpectedly disappointed.
Acela turned off the juice to the electric outlets in all of its trains about two weeks ago after at least six incidents in which the outlets were short-circuited by unwitting passengers.
The electrical problem comes roughly one year since Amtrak resumed its Acela service, which was taken down for three months following the discovery of cracks in many of the trains' brake discs.
Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black says he is unaware of any injuries caused by the electrical troubles but that the outlets would remain out of service indefinitely until the problem is fixed.
In the meantime, Black says Amtrak is making power strips available to Acela customers inside stations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington so that they can recharge gadgets before boarding trains.
Acela service is available between Washington and Boston.
(Washington-AP, July 19, 2006 11:55 AM) _ Passengers on Amtrak's premium high-speed Acela service who tried to plug in their laptops or recharge their cell phones in recent weeks have been unexpectedly disappointed.
Acela turned off the juice to the electric outlets in all of its trains about two weeks ago after at least six incidents in which the outlets were short-circuited by unwitting passengers.
The electrical problem comes roughly one year since Amtrak resumed its Acela service, which was taken down for three months following the discovery of cracks in many of the trains' brake discs.
Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black says he is unaware of any injuries caused by the electrical troubles but that the outlets would remain out of service indefinitely until the problem is fixed.
In the meantime, Black says Amtrak is making power strips available to Acela customers inside stations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington so that they can recharge gadgets before boarding trains.
Acela service is available between Washington and Boston.
BobN
