Amtrak Passengers and Crew Stranded in Oregon Since Sunday

Since Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, an Amtrak train carrying 183 passengers have been stranded in Oregon.

The Coast Starlight Train 11 was traveling from Seattle to Los Angeles when it came to a standstill near Oakridge after hitting a tree that had fallen on the snow-covered tracks, according to Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari.

None of the passengers or crew members were injured but “conditions further deteriorated with numerous track blockages from snow and fallen trees,” Magliari told ABC News Tuesday morning.

“Due to worsening conditions, area road closures and no viable way to safely transport passengers or crews via alternative transportation, Train 11 stopped in Oakridge, Oregon. We are actively working with Union Pacific to clear the right of way and get passengers off the train.”

Union Pacific Railroad is working to open a route to the train. In the meantime, Amtrak passengers and crew members are running out of food and mothers are having to create makeshift diapers for their babies who are without formula.

Spokesman for the Union Pacific Railroad, Tim McMahan said that the Amtrak train is inoperable due to poor weather conditions and fallen trees, however, crews are in the process of clearing the tracks and are expected to reach the stranded train by 6 p.m. PST Tuesday. Then, the train will be moved back to Eugene and Portland, Oregon.

According to McMahan, “Amtrak has made the decision to keep the passengers of the train because the power is our in the city [of Oakridge]. Also, with only two small hotels in town they don’t want to separate the passengers prior to having them reboard for departure.” The train still has power.

Amtrak tweeted that the passengers aboard the stranded train are not being charged for food and water.

Rebekah Dodson, one of the Amtrak passengers, said the train has power and heat and meals are being provided, however, food is running out and there are no other supplies available. The snow outside the train is too deep for passengers and crew members to step off the train into fresh air.

By Jeanette Smith

Source:

ABC News: Amtrak train with 183 passengers stranded in Oregon since Sunday

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