An eastbound VIA Rail train experienced a lengthy delay Sunday night due to what are termed "mechanical issues".
VIA Rail train #78, traveling from Windsor to Toronto Union Station, stopped in Thamesville Sunday evening on what was reported as an engine problem.
Messages to the BlackburnNews.com newsroom indicate that Chatham-Kent Fire Department sent at least two trucks to the train.
It was not known how many passengers and crew were on board. Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Percy Hatfield was on board, returning to Toronto after attending the Windsor PrideFest Parade earlier in the day. He tweeted a photo of the firefighters on scene.
https://twitter.com/PercyHatfield/status/1028786660413239296
VIA Rail is not providing specific details on what the issue with the train is, but spokesperson Marie-Anna Murat tells BlackburnNewsCK.com via email that Train #78 was delayed due to "mechanical issues".
"Possible delays of a few hours are expected," says Murat. "We ask passengers to accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this situation may cause."
Train #78 was scheduled to leave Windsor at 5:45pm Sunday, according to the VIA Rail timetable. It was expected to stop in Chatham at 6:29pm while arrival at Union Station in Toronto was scheduled to take place at 9:51pm.
As of 12:30am Monday, the train was still sitting idle, but reports from a passenger who was on the train indicate it started moving again at around 1am.
More details will be provided as they become available.