Amtrak's Coast Starlight stranded in rare Oregon snowstorm

[kamnet]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/an-am ... smsnnews11

183 passengers aboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight service from Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles, California became stranded early Sunday morning after the train struck a tree which had fallen on the tracks. The Western US coastline had been under an unusually heavy snowstorm which have fouled track conditions, making it nearly impossible for the passengers to be reached by rail, road or air immediately.

No passengers were harmed in the incident, and passengers are in a fairly positive mood. The train has sufficient power for heat and communications, but as of Tuesday morning the train's food provisions have been exhausted. Amtrak officials are working with Union Pacific to clear the line so that the train and its passengers can be rescued.

Late this morning a Union Pacific engine did reach the train, but it will be another day before the train returns to Seattle. The train will have to stop frequently in order for operators to manually switch over every signal.