Stalled Little Train Finally Could In South Austin, But Not Before Hours Of Traffic Delays

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX -- Motorist on Friday in South Austin bore witness to a real-life little train that could. But the experience wasn't nearly as delightful as the fictional version of children's literature.

A Union Pacific train forced to make an emergency stop on Oltorf Street near Lamar Boulevard for more than three hours Friday afternoon. The Austin American-Statesman noted it was a break in the train's "knuckle," industry jargon to denote the joint that connects rail cars that prompted the halt.

Ultimately, the part was fixed, but then the train's air brakes needed to be re-pressurized, the newspaper noted. Once done, another locomotive had to be dispatched to push the disabled train up an incline to propel it forward, a UP spokesman told the newspaper.

After knowing that it could, the train propelled itself toward it San Antonio destination. Frustrated motorists, the little locomotive's departure came not a moment too soon.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

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