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.