Update
May 31, 2011, 4:07 p.m. Amtrak now scheduled to arrive 6:40 p.m. tonight in Williston; fueling depot was unable to refuel the train in Minot; will refuel in Williston, which means the wait in Williston might be a bit longer than usual.
May 31, 2011: The Amtrak train is completing its run from Chicago to Williston to Portland, Oregon, today. This will be the last run until Saturday as it stands now. But the train is running today as usual (though a few hours late coming into Williston).
Original Post
Amtrak has started canceling service across North Dakota (and Montana/Idaho?) due to flooding.
I don't know the particulars. We all knew that Amtrak was going to start avoiding Devils Lake but that was something different than what appears to be going on now. We know that coming from the west last week, Amtrak almost couldn't get into Williston due to the flooding.
I'm not sure exactly when the cancellations start, but my sister was just notified that her Wednesday reservation has been canceled and she will leave three days later, Saturday.
Apparently the Empire Builder will be going back and forth between Chicago and Minneapolis, and on the west coast only between Portland/Seattle and Spokane. For now it appears that the interruption in service is temporary and very short-lived. [I may be too optimistic. See first comment below which is quite helpful.]
1-800-872-7245 for "Ask Julie" at Amtrak.
It is confusing. Maybe travel is only affected some days. It is all contingent upon BNI (Burlington Northern) when they will make the track available.
