NPR News, Classical and Music of the Delta

Passenger Train Stranded For Hours After Swing Bridge Breaks

Koji Haruna / Flickr.com

Officials say a passenger train carrying nearly 60 people to New Orleans and other destinations became stranded for hours when a swing bridge malfunctioned in Louisiana.

Amtrak spokeswoman Chelsea Kopta said the Sunset Limited was operating between Los Angeles and New Orleans on Sunday and was delayed when it was unable to cross a bridge in the Westlake, Louisiana, area.

The railroad owner, Union Pacific, says the swing bridge broke shortly before noon when it was in the process of moving back into place.

Union Pacific spokesman Jeff DeGraff said at about 11 p.m. that they hoped to have the bridge fixed in a couple of hours.

The passengers were stranded for at least six hours. Amtrak planned to take them to Beaumont, Texas, where alternate transportation would be provided.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email