A train derailment near USA Parkway on Friday morning has caused many people hoping to travel via Amtrak to rethink their plans.
Carol and Robert Harris purchased eight tickets for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren.
They planned to go to Old Sacramento together as a Christmas present.
“It's changing our plans for the weekend,” said Carol Harris. “We'll delay our trip.”
The Harrises said Amtrak is issuing them a refund for the tickets, but they’ll now have to fight with hotels and planned excursion vendors to get their money back and eventually reschedule.
“Once I saw the pictures of the trains jackknifed all over the tracks, I pretty much knew we weren't going to be able to go,” said Robert Harris. “So, we're cleaning up the mess now.”
Another traveler was headed in the opposite direction, with his final destination being Kansas City, Missouri.
“I needed to be there by the 31st, and my brother is having surgery, so I'm not going to be able to go by train, so I have to find some other means,” said Randolph Menzies.
Menzies says he can’t delay or reschedule, but does not want to go by bus.
“I don't handle buses well. I just don't like buses that much, but I'll probably look into flying,” said Menzies. “Cost me about two to three hundred more.”
This isn’t Menzies’ first time having issues with train travel, saying there were three other incidents in his life where his plans were disrupted, the first being in 1967. Two of those three run-ins resulted in death.
“Last year I was going to Kansas City and, and my second time on a train, and some homeless guy, they ran over him,” said Menzies. “He just wouldn't get off the track. And then on the way back on a train, somebody had left a big tire on the tracks, and it ripped out all the brake lines.”
No deaths or injuries have been reported for this train derailment.
“I get on a train, and it all goes bad, you know? And it's just bad news bears when it comes to that,” said Menzies.
Updates to Amtrak operations can be found by using the ‘Train Status’ tab here: Train Tickets, Schedules & Routes | Amtrak.
