Stopped train blocks traffic:
A train ground to a stop at around 5 p.m. Tuesday, causing traffic congestion and delays through Tempe.
Tempe police Sgt. Jon Waiee said the mile-long train was forced to stop when it lost air pressure in its brakes.
The train stretched from University Drive to the bridge over Tempe Town Lake. It caused traffic to back up east and west on University Drive and Fifth Street, and north and south on Ash Avenue.
Waiee said the train couldn't be moved until the conductor had walked its length to ensure no cars had derailed.
"It couldn't have been at a worse time," Waiee said of the 5:14 p.m. breakdown. The train began moving again at 6:18 p.m., he added.
During the incident, Waiee said two ASU students were arrested on charges of third-degree trespassing.
The students had gotten on the train while it was stopped and jumped off when it began moving again, he said.
-Andrea Adams
