Amtrak passenger train service between Reno and Sacramento is unlikely to resume Thursday and may remain suspended Friday because of a fierce winter storm.
The California Zephyr was suspended Tuesday after an avalanche sent snow onto the Union Pacific tracks in the mountains west of Truckee.
Westbound travelers will ride charter buses to Sacramento Thursday and board a train to Emeryville. Similar transfers are likely on Friday.
Eastbound travelers from Emeryville will transfer to charter buses in Sacramento bound for Reno.
More than 4 feet of snow has fallen over the past two days and winds have been gusting in excess of 100 mph.
Service on Amtrak’s California Zephyr between Reno and Sacramento, California, has been suspended until weather conditions improve.
The Reno Gazette Journal first reported that the two trains halted because an avalanche and boulders closed the tracks, which are operated by Union Pacific.
Union Pacific spokesman Tim McMahan confirmed a “snow slide” occurred at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday just south of U.S. Interstate 80 near Donner Pass about 10 miles west of Truckee.
(Thumbnail Photo: Getty Images)