(The following appeared on the Omaha World-Herald website on June 3, 2011.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Taking the train? You might end up on a bus, thanks to Missouri River flooding. Amtrak is busing passengers between Lincoln, Omaha and Creston, Iowa, because the rail line it uses has been closed for levee work.
BNSF Railway has closed its line from Omaha to a point just north of Plattsmouth so the City of Omaha can construct a flood levee on the track. BNSF spokesman Steve Forsberg said rail lines carrying cargo business aren’t affected.
But the closure does affect the passenger line, so the company is temporarily using charter buses. Because the bus route is more direct than the train route, which follows the Missouri River for several miles, the passengers are able to remain on schedule, officials said.
Full story: www.omaha.com