Amtrak Cancels Train Routes {Across North Dakota and Montana}

[mahatmakanejeeves]

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

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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]

1. You scared me....taking the train to SC on Christmas Day!

Shewww!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. (Laughing) That's why I added {Across Montana and North Dakota}

Had I quoted the headline literally, I figured I would have given dozens of DUers heart attacks.

Have fun on the trip.

[pinto]

2. Combination of extreme cold and freight traffic makes sense.

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.

[geardaddy]

4. Yes.

Subzero cold here in the Twin Cities. Can't imagine what it's like in ND.

[pangaia]

5. Go SAINTS !!!

[lunasun]

6. Fri's high is to be -3 in Minot ND

bbbrrrrr

[SoapBox]

7. It startled me, thinking it was a complete service suspension.

[Redford]

8. Me Too!!

I had a OH NO moment!