Three Amtrak trains en route to Chicago have been halted by snow and heavy winds in north-central Illinois, leaving more than 500 passengers stuck and awaiting rescue.
Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said in CBS that two of the trains were halted in Bureau County and the third, in Knox County. One hailed from Los Angeles, one from Quincy, Ill., and the third from the San Francisco Bay area.
BNSF, the company that owns the tracks, has sent workers to clear the tracks and tow the trains.
Mr. Magliari also said in CBS that the passengers will have to stay on the trains, but are being fed and kept comfortable. Meanwhile, a local sheriff’s department is on standby, in case of emergency and an evacuation is needed, CBS said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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