(The following appeared on the St. Louis today website on June 19, 2010.)
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Trees and large branches toppled in a storm Saturday blocked Amtrak tracks in central Missouri and caused delays in both directions for the Missouri River Runner trains between St. Louis and Kansas City.
Karina Romero, an Amtrak spokeswoman, said the tracks were blocked about 10 miles east of Jefferson City until Union Pacific railroad crews were able to clear away the fallen trees and branches. The storm damage happened about 5 p.m. No injuries were reported and the tracks were not damaged, she said.
She said the debris delayed Amtrak train 313 from St. Louis to Kansas City for about three hours. Train 316 from Kansas City to St. Louis was delayed about 50 minutes. The tracks reopened about 8:30 p.m.