The Amtrak delays yesterday were the end result of a couple of events. Track 2 (the normal eastbound) was, and still is out of service between Newcastle and Colfax due to track maintenance.

An eastbound grain empty was sent out of Roseville ahead of #6. That grain empty broke down (I don't know the location), forcing #6 to stop. At some point a slide or falling rocks fouled Track 1 at Bloomer Cut, just west of Aurburn.

So, depending where the stalled eastbound was, or until the slide could be cleared, everything came to a standstill. #6 was held somewhere between Loomis and Penryn, #5 was held at Colfax until the line was reopened.

As of this morning, everything is back to normal.

As a disclaimer, this information comes from Amtrak crews, T.O. (sorry) and the usual suspects...

sda