Once again, I didn't have my camera when I needed it. A solid train of covered hoppers (plastics I think) had its engine give out just after the Swing bridge over the columbia at about 9:00 AM PDT this morning. The train was coming from the East on the SP&S trackage along the Columbia. It blocked 3 intersections and because it was on the track closest to the station, it blocked the Empirebuilder from unloading passengers. There was also an Eastbound mixed train which couldn't depart and some light power stuck in the middle. All that and the swing bridge couldn't open so river traffic was stopped. I don't know how they got the train moving again, because there was no good vantage point to see out over the river. They couldn't get any local Vancouver power out there due to the inconvienent place that the train stalled, so they either called up some power from Portland, or just got the engine going again. In Either case, it took them about 45 minutes to get the train moving and allow the Amtrak passengers to depart. It was very interesting to watch.
Of course. No camera! Murphy was smiling today. Am familiar with the area. Must have been an interesting mess to unravel. I'll bet that a dispatcher developed some unwanted gray hairs today! Boxcab E50
Originally from Washington state and lived in Portland for 3 years so am very familiar with the area.
