An Amtrak Wolverine Service train struck a pile of ice and snow left close to its tracks, damaging the locomotive and delaying passengers for more than four hours during which the train lacked heat and the restrooms were inoperable.
The incident occurred on Monday evening and involved Chicago to Detroit (Pontiac) Train No. 352.
The train struck ice and snow that a local snow plow crew had left close to the rails near Michigan City, Indiana.
A Chicago radio station said some passengers felt sick and one said she feared losing consciousness during the ordeal.
Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said the train was forced to stop after striking the snow and ice while Amtrak personnel re-aligned the snow plow on the locomotive.
That task took nearly two-and-a-half-hours and during that time the head-end power to the passenger cars was disconnected.
Magliari said that Amtrak police and managers distributed snacks to passengers during the delay and provided what help they could. Two other Amtrak trains using the route were also delayed.
Amtrak will discuss with the unnamed town involved the need to avoid piling snow next to railroad tracks, Magliari said.
Tags: Amtrak, Amtrak delays, Amtrak in the Midwest, Amtrak Midwest corridor trains, Amtrak Midwest Trains, Amtrak trains, Amtrak Wolverine Service, Amtrak Wolverines, Chicago-Detroit corridor, Michigan City Indiana, snow piles
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