Snow stalls Amtrak in Virginia, with excruciating delays

By JEFF AMY
Associated Press

Winter weather is playing havoc not only with road travel but also passenger trains in Virginia and other states. Amtrak’s Crescent left New Orleans on Sunday on its way to New York and got stuck near Lynchburg, Virginia, on Monday morning. The train returned to the Virginia city and remained there until finally heading northbound again late Tuesday afternoon. Officials said downed trees had been blocking the tracks. Passenger Sean Thornton told The Associated Press in a Tuesday afternoon phone interview that Amtrak is providing food but toilets are overflowing and passengers are furious. Amtrak says the train is supposed to complete its trip to New York once the tracks are clear.