News: Nearly 400 trapped in trains in Sierra

Saturday, February 2, 2008

News: Nearly 400 trapped in trains in Sierra

Update: Both Trains have arrived safely in Reno

Update: 1 snowbound train moves toward Reno

COLFAX – Amtrak officials say that nearly 400 people are trapped inside two passenger trains stuck in the Sierra Nevada.

An Amtrak spokeswoman said the trains were stranded near Donner Pass about 2 p.m. Friday after a large snow plow being used to clear the tracks fell through a walkway and blocked the trains' path.

No injuries have been reported, and both trains have heating and lights.

The spokeswoman says Amtrak is trying to summon buses to nearby towns to evacuate passengers

KXTV News 10 in Sacramento has an update on the two passenger trains stuck in the Sierra Nevada snow near Donner Pass.

About 165 passengers stuck aboard California Zephyr Train No. 5 near Truckee where being pulled back in reverse to Reno, News 10 reported Amtrak as saying.

Once there, passengers were to be given hotel rooms overnight before hopefully continuing their trip Saturday.

Also from News 10:

* The 215 passengers aboard Zephyr Train No. 6 near Gold Run weren't so fortunate. The train's location was preventing it from moving, so it passengers would most likely be forced to remain on the train overnight.

* Both trains carried passengers on the California Zephyr route from Emeryville to Chicago with stops in Salt Lake City, Denver and Omaha.

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Saturday, February 2, 2008