UP spokesperson Justin Jacobs says part of the tunnel roof collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, impacting about 50 feet of track. The collapse occurred while maintenance was being conducted on the tunnel but no one was injured in the incident.
UP expects the former Southern Pacific route to be closed for 7 to 10 days or longer, depending on how much time repairs take. UP officials say the tunnel is in a “remote and difficult-to-access location.”
Jacobs tells Trains News Wire some trains will be rerouted through Bend on BNSF Railway’s Oregon Trunk Subdivision or via Salt Lake City.
Amtrak is busing passengers aboard the Coast Starlight between Klamath Falls and Eugene. Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari tells Trains News Wire that passengers were already being bused between the two points because of scheduled maintenance on the tunnel and that service will be continued until further notice. Magliari says that northbound passengers could face extended delays due to busing and Amtrak is encouraging anyone who is traveling between Eugene and Seattle to take a regularly scheduled Cascades train.
How difficult to access it can it be, when they have tracks going to both sides and all the equipment needed to transport what they need up there.
Will the Coast Starlight also go through Bend? Or has Amtrak canceled it above Klamath Falls?
Why isn’t a detour over the old SP mainline via Drain, Medford and Grant’s Pass being used? That was the original route of Espee passenger service back in the day. Has it deteriorated too much?
Is busing passengers the only alternative? What about a reroute over the BNSF?
I am booked on the NB Starlight on June 21. Any idea if the reroutes/repairs will be completed by then?
Amtrak will not be going through Bend. They are being bused between Klamath Falls and Eugene and they then board another train.