An Amtrak train carrying 183 passengers that had been stranded in a remote area of Oregon since Sunday evening is now back in motion.
Traveling from Seattle to Los Angeles, Starlight Train 11 hit a tree that had fallen on the tracks near Oakridge, Ore., around 6 p.m. No one was injured, but because of the inclement winter weather there was no immediate way to safely evacuate those on the train.
Not until Tuesday morning did Amtrak announce that it had begun the process of moving the train back to Seattle. Amtrak Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scot Naparstek said in a statement that the train would be stopping in Eugene on its way back, noting that refunds and other compensation would be provided to those impacted.
— Amtrak Alerts (@AmtrakAlerts) February 26, 2019
The train is being pulled back, albeit slowly, by a Union Pacific locomotive. Those on board report moving just a few hundred yards at a time as the train heads back through the dense snow and wintry conditions.
The area had received record levels of snowfall in recent days, with wind damage occurring and snow accumulating to around a foot deep in areas around where the train got stuck.
#WinterStormRyan brought heavy snow to parts of Oregon overnight, knocking out power and causing tree damage. Here’s where it is headed next: https://t.co/IW2IAPXEQH pic.twitter.com/DYQDyXKoXX
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 25, 2019
During the multiday ordeal, one passenger told KOIN 6 News the snack cart on her section of the train had been depleted and that people had run out of diapers.
Further complicating the issue, cellphone reception in the area where the train had stopped was limited. Amtrak decided to hold passengers on the train, as electricity was out in nearby Oakridge.
Some passengers tried to sleep on the train, while others took to playing games to pass the time.
here’s what it looks like inside the train… it’s been stuck for 24 hours east of #Eugene with more than 180 people onboard. You can see people sleeping & playing games. Stranded in snow after hitting a downed tree Sunday night… #fox12 #eugene #snow #oakridge #amtrak #oregon pic.twitter.com/GMcNQSQIOa
— Bonnie Silkman KPTV (@BonnieSilkman) February 26, 2019
Amtrak expects to have the train back in Seattle and ready to depart for Los Angeles again on Wednesday.
