Amtrak Cancels Train Routes {Across North Dakota and Montana}
Source: KMOT-TV, Channel 10 in Minot, ND
Posted: Dec 12, 2013 5:38 AM EST
Updated: Dec 12, 2013 11:01 AM EST
By Brenton Burkett
Amtrak has announced the cancellation of "Empire Builder" train routes between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Spokane. The westbound "Train 7" will not run Thursday, December 12 or Saturday, December 14. Service on the eastbound "Train 8" is suspended for Friday, December 13 and Sunday, December 15.
An Amtrak spokesperson says there's too much congestion on the railroads. With the early blast of cold winter weather, the company says it doesn't have the equipment or the crews necessary to safely navigate through the traffic.
The Empire Builder has seven stops in North Dakota, including Minot and Williston. The route has four more stops in eastern Montana. Amtrak is allowing passengers with tickets for canceled trips to reschedule.
Read more: http://www.kmot.com/story/24200823/amtrak-empire-builder-trains-halted
What's the congestion from? Trains of oil coming from the Bakken formation in western North Dakota.
Heavy freight traffic hampers some Amtrak trains
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/ND_AMTRAK_DELAYS_MTOL-
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Shewww!
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,425 posts)Had I quoted the headline literally, I figured I would have given dozens of DUers heart attacks.
Have fun on the trip.
pinto
(106,886 posts)In extremely cold weather all trains - freight and passenger - have to dramatically reduce their speeds. The rails constrict enough to cause safety concerns. Everything backs up.
Subzero cold here in the Twin Cities. Can't imagine what it's like in ND.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)lunasun
(21,646 posts)bbbrrrrr
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)I had a OH NO moment!