(The Reno Gazette-Journal posted the following article on its website on April 22.)
RENO, Nevada — A Union Pacific freight train derailed early Tuesday south of Donner Lake, forcing Amtrak to bus passengers between Nevada and California.
A railroad spokesperson said the company was repairing the damaged line between Norden and Truckee and expected to reopen it by 6 p.m. today. Amtrak passengers will continue to be bused today, but train service is expected to resume Thursday.
The westbound 100 cars loaded with corn were going from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Stockton, Calif., when 13 cars derailed about 1:30 a.m. The two crew members on board were not injured, railroad spokesperson John Bromley said.
He said the train was going the speed limit for that area, 25-30 mph, when the accident occurred. The cause is under investigation.
The railroad held up some trains that use the route and detoured others, Bromley said.
Passengers on the California Zephyr, which runs from Emeryville, Calif., to Chicago, rode buses Tuesday from Emeryville to the Amtrak station in Sparks, company spokeswoman Sarah Swain said.
The California Zephyr is the only Amtrak train affected by the closure. It stops in Sparks, westbound at 9:35 a.m. and eastbound at 4:37 p.m. Almost 300 people in both directions were expected to be affected today, Amtrak officials said.