Here is the latest information reinstating passenger rail service between Vancouver BC and Eugene, Oregon

December 21, 2008
9:00 p.m. ET

BNSF Railway has informed Amtrak of plans to restore most passenger train service to and from Seattle, following a major winter storm that suspended nearly all Amtrak service in the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, December 21.

This service restoration plan is based on best-available information. However, passengers in the affected area are advised to contact Amtrak at 800-USA-RAIL or check train status on Amtrak.com before traveling on Monday, December 22.

Trains in the Pacific Northwest are expected to operate subject to significant delays on December 22.

Amtrak Cascades

Service is planned to operate on December 22 for the full route to and from Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., via Portland, Ore., and Seattle, with the exception of Train 500 between Eugene and Portland. Train 500 will originate in Portland rather than Eugene, with passengers directed to departures later in the day as alternate transportation.

Empire Builder

Trains 8 & 28 are planned to originate in Portland on December 22, with alternate transportation planned from Seattle for Train 8 passengers ticketed from Seattle and intermediate points to Spokane, Wash.

Coast Starlight

Trains 11 & 14 are expected to operate over their full Seattle-Los Angeles route on December 22, subject to significant delay in the Pacific Northwest.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.

13 Replies to “BNSF Railway Closure Cancels Amtrak Trains in the PNW; Update”

  1. In short, this means there are too many frozen switches between Seattle and Portland.

    This does NOT effect the Seahawks Sounder service between Tacoma and Seattle.

    1. Since you seem to have the best info at this time, Brian, have you been able to get htrough to either Amtrak or BNSF via phone or online to get an ETA of cleared tracks? I looked at the BNSF site, and they don’t even have the alert listed-at leat Amtrak did that! I also was wondering about tomorrow (22nd) from Eugene, Or on the Cascade #500 run…

      1. Diane,

        The best location is on the BNSF website under Customer Tools, Customer Updates, Service Advisories, however it mainly pertains to freight operations and not passenger.

        http://domino.bnsf.com/website/updates.nsf/updates?ReadForm&service

        As for Amtrak services, you will have to keep an eye on Amtrak’s website. Here is the latest information;

        BNSF Railway has informed Amtrak of plans to restore most passenger train service to and from Seattle, following a major winter storm that suspended nearly all Amtrak service in the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, December 21.

        This service restoration plan is based on best-available information. However, passengers in the affected area are advised to contact Amtrak at 800-USA-RAIL or check train status on Amtrak.com before traveling on Monday, December 22.

        Trains in the Pacific Northwest are expected to operate subject to significant delays on December 22.

        Amtrak Cascades

        Service is planned to operate on December 22 for the full route to and from Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., via Portland, Ore., and Seattle, with the exception of Train 500 between Eugene and Portland. Train 500 will originate in Portland rather than Eugene, with passengers directed to departures later in the day as alternate transportation.

        Empire Builder

        Trains 8 & 28 are planned to originate in Portland on December 22, with alternate transportation planned from Seattle for Train 8 passengers ticketed from Seattle and intermediate points to Spokane, Wash.

        Coast Starlight

        Trains 11 & 14 are expected to operate over their full Seattle-Los Angeles route on December 22, subject to significant delay in the Pacific Northwest.

        Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.

  2. Oh, goody, the football trains are running and SDOT are focusing their efforts on clearing the area around the stadia for the football fans while those on Cap Hill, Madrona and Mad Park, who OPT to use transit rather than drive, are without much bus service for the 4th day…

    Can we say “mis-placed priorities”?

  6. Kayo,

    Doubtful – Amtrak #14 (yesterdays) finally arrived Seattle at 12:55pm…After it sat at Holgate Street for an additional 20 minutes awaiting the Sounders to finish up their work.

  8. A railway closure yet they run there own trains on it? More like a slow down meaning less capacity so amtrak cascades are booted.

  9. The reason they suspended the trains was for safety reasons. It is a lot more cheaper to clean up a freight derailment than a passenger train. If a passenger train was to “pick a switch” and derail due to a fouled switch, you can imagine the incoming lawsuits.

    It is similar as to why we at Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad canceled operations for today. While we only have to worry about a few switches, it was still very dangerous for us to run our trains when we have so much snow there.

    The last passenger train on the route was the Coast Starlight from yesterday that was 12+ hours late.

  11. JUst wondering when the amtrak will be back up and running??
    I really need to get home on christmas morning so will it be running from seattle to Kelso ,Wa on christmas? please let me no

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