No Heat Restrictions on Penn Line, For Now

The following was a letter from the MARC rail service to passengers.

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A message to MARC passengers—

The next three days are going to be extremely hot, with temperatures forecast to be in the high 90’s. We are preparing for this extreme heat and we want you to be prepared as well.

MARC, along with Amtrak and CSX, are taking preventative steps to ensure that locomotives and railcars are ready for these temperatures.

On the Camden and Brunswick Line, passengers should expect heat-related speed restrictions to be imposed. More information on these is available at http://tinyurl.com/marchighheat.

MARC management will be on standby to respond to any emergencies on all three lines.

We’ve taken preventative measures—and we want you to as well. The water coolers will be on the platform at Union Station, and we encourage you to get a bottle of water prior to boarding your train. Please note that per our normal policy, passengers at Union Station will be required to wait inside the station until your train is posted for boarding. Not only is the station air conditioned, but you can hear PA announcements and get updated information.

Here are some other tips for extreme heat:

** WALK, DO NOT RUN! The air quality will be very poor for the remainder of the week; it is imperative not to over-tax your body.

** Drink lots of water. Experts recommend that you drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day and more in high heat conditions.

** Have a backup plan to get to Union Station. The 96, D6, and X1 Metrobuses all stop in front of Union Station. In addition, the Washington Circulator bus serves the parking garage.

** In the event of a mechanical problem with your train, please follow the Conductors’ instructions.