

LA-bound train passengers stranded for 36 hours in snow in Oregon

A train carrying nearly 200 people was left stranded in deep snow for more than 36 hours in the US.
The Amtrak train was stuck in Oregon after hitting a tree that had fallen onto the tracks on Sunday evening (local time).
Passenger Emilie Wyrick said the train moved about a kilometre before stopping again.
"We'll move for a few hundred yards, then we stop. It's going to be like this for hours," said Ms Wyrick.
"They have to manually switch every signal we come across to ensure the train and any cars that may be crossing are all safe."
Passenger Marcia Trujillo said after leaving the train: "We really wanted for nothing except for maybe some place comfortable to lie down and a shower."
The train was stranded for 36 hours in the snow. (KATU/Rebekah Dodson)
Originally heading to Los Angeles, the train will return to Seattle after receiving maintenance in Eugene, Oregon.


The company said it expects more delays as the train heads back north.
The train arrived at the Eugene station on Tuesday local time, hours after a Union Pacific locomotive began pulling it, said Tim McMahan, spokesman for Union Pacific, which owns the Oregon rail line where the train had been stranded in the small town of Oakridge.
"The train had been inoperable due to weather conditions and downed trees," Mr McMahan told CNN in an email.
"UP crews worked overnight to clear the tracks."
Passengers and crew were stuck on the Los Angeles-bound train. (KATU/Rebekah Dodson)
Record-setting snowfall
While they were stalled all those hours at Oakridge, passengers could see a deserted stretch of Oregon Highway 58, closed due to snow and ice.
The town of Oakridge had no electricity due to the weather, passenger Rebekah Dodson said.
The National Weather Service had predicted Sunday that up to one metre of snow could fall in the area.
By Tuesday morning, at least 30cm had accumulated, the weather service said. Oakridge averages 2.8cm in February.
Eugene, home to the University of Oregon, had a record-setting 24 on Monday, the weather service said.
The area has seen record-setting snow. (KATU/Rebekah Dodson)
Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said that while none of the 183 passengers and dozen crew members were injured, "conditions further deteriorated with numerous track blockages from snow and fallen trees."
Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scot Naparstek said in a Tuesday morning statement that the company had decided leaving passengers on the train was the safest option.
"We sincerely regret the extended delay customers on the southbound Coast Starlight experienced due to extreme weather issues while travelling with Amtrak," he said.
He said Amtrak will contact customers to provide refunds and "other compensation as appropriate".
'A giant kumbaya party'
With the help of heat, power and food, a passenger said the mood on board had remained surprisingly upbeat.
"It's just been like a giant kumbaya party," Ms Dodson said.
Still, she said, the "hardship" had been stressful as passengers could not go anywhere. The stranded train was surrounded by snow.
Passengers were stuck on the train in Oregon. (KATU/Rebekhah Dodson)
Some Los Angeles-bound college students had "panicked" because their professors wouldn't accept their excuse for missing class, Ms Dodson said.
Ms Dodson said passengers had been told breakfast would be the last meal available.
She said the passengers include families with children and a few dozen university students - including about 20 students from Japan. Crew members had been "professional and nice" throughout.
The service operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles.

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