N.D. water, wind affect train travel

by Daily Inter Lake
| June 1, 2011 2:00 AM

Northern railroad travel on Amtrak has been delayed indefinitely due to weather problems in North Dakota.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said Tuesday that high winds on Devil’s Lake in North Dakota caused the temporary closure of BNSF Railway tracks used by Amtrak’s Empire Builder.

Amtrak is waiting on repairs in Churchs Ferry, N.D., he said.

Flooding caused Devil’s Lake to rise, and high winds in the area resulted in erosion of the railroad embankment. Magliari noted Devil’s Lake has no natural outlet and keeps rising.

The closure affects Amtrak service in Montana (including Whitefish, the most popular Amtrak stop in the state), North Dakota, western Minnesota and Idaho. The closure went into effect Tuesday and continues through today.

“We can’t originate trains at Chicago, Seattle or Portland,” Magliari said.

Amtrak passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL for updated train status information, or go online at amtrak.com.