A temporary railroad track closure west of Granby, caused by a rock slide, is forcing Amtrak’s California Zephyr to detour around seven stops between Denver and Salt Lake City.
The closure, which began just after midnight Sunday, is on track owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. The rock slide was found when a Union Pacific train with 69 rail cars came off the track near Kremmling. The rail car remained upright, and there were no injuries.
“When the train crew was inspecting the train, they noted a large rock slide behind the train,” said Mark Davis, a spokesman for Union Pacific. “Because of the tight working conditions where the rail car is located — cliff on one side and drop to water on the other — crews had to bring equipment in by rail.”
Crews are continuing to clear the rock slide and have identified about 70 rail ties that were damaged in the slide and will have to be replaced. Officials hope to have the line back open Monday night.
Chartered buses are covering the missed Amtrak stops, said Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesman.
The detour doesn’t necessarily mean delays on the 15-hour trip as the changed route through Wyoming actually can be faster at times, Magliari said.
The train will detour around stops in Fraser; Granby; Glenwood Springs; Grand Junction; Green River, Utah; Helper, Utah; and Provo, Utah.
