2 trains disabled on Red Line in Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Hundreds of ‘T’ passengers were forced out into the heat when two trains broke down on the Red Line.

A Red Line train broke down around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday between Porter and Harvard Square. Another one was brought in to help out and that one broke down as well, leaving a total of 12 cars stuck below. According to officials, it is about 115 degrees down below.

Passengers spent almost two hours underground after the trains broke down.

“It wasn’t bad at all we were there an hour and a half, maybe almost two hours, but people kind of kept their wits about them. It wasn’t the end of the world. We were only 1000 yards from porter, so they dragged us back,” said James Fox, a passenger.

The power was shut down and the riders were slowly evacuated through the tunnel with the help of rescue crews. The process took hours, but everyone got out safely.

“It was a pretty orderly evacuation,” said Dep. Chief Jerry Mahoney of the Cambridge Fire Department. “They were able to keep the air conditioning running in the train so it hasn’t been too oppressive - it’s actually relatively comfortable down on the platform. There are no injuries to report at this time. There’s no fire, no smoke.”

‘T’ riders were still smiling despite it being the hottest day of the year so far.

“It was fine, it was calm, a little warm, but other than that it was fine and everybody was calm,” said Anthony Shea, passenger.

“It’s summer it’s going to be hot down there but the crew and fire fighters did a good job to make us feel comfortable down there,” said one passenger.

The trains are back on schedule. The MBTA will investigate why both trains became disabled.

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