Train derailment strands Amtrak passengers after track closed

LIBBY, Mont. — Dozens of Amtrak passengers found themselves stranded in Libby on Monday morning thanks to a train derailment on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad line.

Gus Melonas, a railroad spokesman based out of Seattle, said the accident occurred at 5:30 a.m., about 45 miles east of Libby. A 10-car grain train with a two-person crew aboard left the track.

"Seven are on their side, three are upright," Melonas said.

"There is some spillage. It appears it's not major but we're not taking any shortcuts. … Vac trucks are on site and transporting material."

No injuries were reported. As a result of the accident, the line had to be shut down while repairs were made.

"Track crews will come in, build new rail line tonight (Monday) and be opened up on Tuesday," Melonas said.

"They will move material debris over the next three weeks."

Meanwhile in Libby, Amtrak passengers waited for charter buses to pick them up so they could continue their travels. A stop in Whitefish at West Glacier was apparently included on the route.

"We're going to Whitefish before Glacier Park," said Bob Griffith of Lake Oswego, Ore., who was on vacation with his wife and two sons. "I guess we get on the first bus. Some of us have rental cars waiting there for us."

Melonas said buses would be running between Libby and Shelby while the line was out. The route sees 45 trains on a daily basis — including two from Amtrak. Melonas said the railroad was developing detour plans with Montana Rail Link to deal with that traffic.

Most passengers in Libby stayed on the train for a lot of the morning while others disembarked for a bite to eat or look around town. Ed Molash of Olympia, Wash., walked down the street for breakfast at the Libby Café.

"It's no big deal; I've been through travel delays before," Molash said. "Back in March, I was going to the Virgin Islands and it was supposed to be 14 hours of flying and it took two-and-a-half days. So, it's like, I can shake this off."

Like many of his fellow travelers, Molash was headed to Glacier National Park. Those on the train got word of the change in travel plans just before 7 a.m. Monday.

In a bit of a comical moment, Molash quickly exited Libby Café when the train started to pull away. He sprinted back down to the depot but officials were only moving the train back onto another track so other traffic could move through.

The train derailment occurred in the Wolf Prairie area east of Libby. It originated in Holloway, Minn., with a destination of Tacoma, Wash. At point of derailment, Melonas said the train was traveling 14 mph.

An Amtrak worker said passengers were understanding about the delays.

"At least the sun is shining," Griffith said. "We're on vacation so we weren't really planning on standing at a train station."