Man Put Off Train in Field Sues Amtrak

A San Juan Capistrano man who claims that he missed an important business meeting because he was ordered off a commuter train and left in the middle of a dirt field has sued Amtrak and a conductor, the man’s attorney said Wednesday.

Christopher Barr alleges that he was only looking for a place to sit when the conductor became upset with him, ordered that the train be stopped and “forcefully” removed him from the train.

“There was no reason to toss him off and put him in that field,” said Barr’s attorney, Fred M. Walker.

Amtrak officials could not be reached for comment.

Walker said that the train apparently was overbooked and that Barr and other passengers were looking for places to sit. The conductor, Robert Morgan, allegedly ordered the unseated passengers to move and then “picked (Barr) out of the crowd” and had him removed from the train.

The incident occurred July 9 as Barr was commuting from Santa Ana to San Juan Capistrano. The train was less than four miles from the Santa Ana station when Barr was ordered off, Walker said.

Barr said he was left in “a field, which was not a regular stopping place” and not near any houses.

The lawsuit alleges violations of the state public utilities code, false imprisonment, defamation and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The National Railroad Passenger Corp.--commonly known as Amtrak--and Morgan were named as defendants in the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Despite the incident, Barr, who declined to give his occupation, continues to ride the train. The suit alleges that he is repeatedly reminded and ridiculed about his ejection by other passengers and Amtrak employees, Walker said.