(The following story by John Branton appeared on The Columbian website on January 8.)
COLUMBIA, Wash. — As BNSF Railway crews work to inspect and clear their tracks of mud, rocks, trees and other storm debris, Amtrak passenger service between Portland-Vancouver and Seattle is cancelled through Friday.
In the Centralia and Chehalis areas, water is about three inches above tracks on a quarter-mile section, spokesman Gus Melonas said Thursday afternoon.
The company hopes to allow freight only along the route Friday, he said.
The east-west line through the Columbia River Gorge is open for freight and Amtrak.
Tracks on Stevens Pass are running freight only, and Stampede Pass is completely closed due to a large washout.