Amtrak train stuck in snow safely towed back to Eugene

OAKRIDGE, Ore. — An Amtrak Coast Starlight train stranded 40 miles east of Eugene since Sunday night was towed back to Eugene on Tuesday after passengers were stuck for more than 36 hours, KGW8 reports.

Union Pacific crews worked overnight Monday to clear the tracks, which allowed a Union Pacific locomotive to reach the train and start towing it Tuesday morning.

The Coast Starlight train, which was carrying 183 passengers, left Seattle for Los Angeles early Sunday and struck a tree that had fallen on the tracks that evening. Amtrak said it kept the passengers on-board the train for safety reasons, because the power was out in the town of Oakridge, the closest populated place to the train; roads were blocked by debris; and more than a foot of snow had fallen in the area by Monday. For the full story, click here.