(The Associated Press circulated the following story on January 9.)
RIDGEFIELD, Wash. — The railroad tracks between Seattle and Portland were reopened about 12:30 p.m. Thursday to Amtrak and freight trains.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas in Seattle said the tracks had been closed in Southwest Washington, near Ridgefield, because of ice-covered trees crashing onto the rails.
Crews with chainsaws were busy clearing the trees, including one that was 5 feet in diameter.
The Burlington Northern tracks were also blocked Wednesday night by a mudslide in north Seattle. Melonas says that was cleared in the morning and freight trains were running. But as a precaution Amtrak trains will wait until Saturday to travel north of Seattle.
The Sound Transit commuter train also was on hold Thursday and Friday, so passengers were being bused between Seattle and Everett.