After record snow slammed Oregon, almost 200 people remain trapped on a train that came to a sudden stop Sunday [24 Feb.] evening south of Eugene.
After 36 hours stuck in one spot, the train finally started moving Tuesday [26 feb] morning. But it stopped again after about half a mile.
Amtrak said no one was hurt Sunday when the train hit a tree that had fallen onto the tracks.
With the help of heat, power and (so far) food, passengers said the mood on board has been surprisingly upbeat. "It's just been like a giant kumbaya party," Rebekah Dodson told CNN early Tuesday. "Strangers are playing cards. A teenager played his ukulele to kids to get them to sleep. Ladies who have never met before were dancing in aisles."
Still, she said, the ordeal has been stressful as passengers cannot go anywhere. The train is surrounded by feet of snow. Some Los Angeles-bound college students have "panicked" because their professors won't accept their excuse for missing class, Dodson said.
"Due to worsening conditions, area road closures and no viable way to safely transport passengers or crews via alternate transportation, Train 11 stopped in Oakridge, Oregon," [Amtrak spokesman] said. "We are actively working with Union Pacific to clear the right of way and get passengers off the train." The train had power and enough food on board, for which passengers will not be charged,
But Dodson said Tuesday morning that passengers had been told breakfast would be the last meal available. She said she can see nearby Oregon Highway 58, closed due to snow and ice. The town of Oakridge has no electricity due to the weather, she said.
The National Weather Service had predicted Sunday that up to 2 feet could fall in the area. By Tuesday morning, at least a foot had accumulated, the weather service said. Oakridge averages 1.1 inches in February.
