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Slide triggers more Amtrak cancellations

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A debris from a December mudslide litters the BNSF tracks and right-of-way.

The Ocean Park Bluff has failed for the sixth time this winter, dumping mud and trees on the BNSF line and causing a further 48-hour cancellation of Amtrak service between Vancouver and Seattle.

The slide occurred around 3 p.m. Monday, delaying a freight train with empty coal cars. BNSF crews had removed trees from the track by 5:30 p.m. allowing resumption of freight service, but Amtrak confirmed passenger rail service has been suspended until 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 26) as a precaution.

Rail-relocation advocate Don Pitcairn noted Amtrak service has been cancelled for a total of 10 days in the past five weeks due to slides on the bluff.

In a news release Tuesday, Pitcairn questioned why the tracks were deemed unsafe for passenger trains, but safe for freight trains carrying dangerous goods.

BNSF officials could not be reached by deadline.