(The following story by Rick Bella appeared on The Oregonian website on December 20.)
PORTLAND, Ore. — Amtrak’s Coast Starlight trains are ready to roll, after being stuck in Portland because of weather-related problems.
Cliff Cole, Amtrak spokesman, said the northbound Coast Starlight was held up around 7:40 p.m. after a switch froze at the Steel Bridge.
The southbound Coast Starlight had been sitting at Union Station since 2:20 p.m., while officials assessed track conditions and snowfall.
Both trains got the go-ahead to roll by 8:45 p.m., Cole said.
Meanwhile, a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway freight train was reported to have derailed at Portland junction. However, details were not available and railroad officials could not be reached for comment.