One Snapped Cable Fells Entire Transit System

27 July 2010 - 2:00pm

In Melbourne, Australia, a frayed power line gave way today at Southern Cross Station. The resulting domino effect took out most of the city's transit system during the heavy morning commute.

When the power line broke, "a train travelling along this section of track went under the drooping power wire. It became entangled in the cable, shorting out overhead voltage."

The power disruption shut down Southern Cross Station and also the nearby Flinders Street Station, both major stops on the line, effectively blocking east/west traffic in Melbourne.

Metro, the transit operator, has been working on replacing worn power lines since taking over the system in 2009.

Source: The Age (Australia), July 27, 2010
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