Passengers stuck on Amtrak think: "We did our best to pass the time"

EUGENE, OR – The night was very long for the passengers on the Amtrack train, stuck for a day and a half near Oakridge.

The train traveling from Los Angeles to Seattle ran aground on Sunday night near Oakridge.

The Amtrak train – stuck about 40 miles southeast of Eugene for a day and a half – finally returned to civilization late Tuesday morning.

Patience was starting to run out, with food and many other essential things.

"As we were on sleeper cars, we still had food. Until today, there was none today, "said Kim Shelton, a Michigan passenger.

The train boarded a Union Pacific freight locomotive, after high-altitude crews worked all night to clear the lanes. The passengers were clearly relieved to get off.

"It feels good," said passenger Jalyce Roman. "I mean, I do not care that I'm freezing right now. I just feel good about being out of this train. It was hot and stuffy.

"A lot of mixed emotions, a lot of uncertainty," said Jordan Hooper. "Amtrak was really not very communicative."

Amtrak officials decided to keep the passengers on board instead of letting them go to Oakridge, with only small hotels available for accommodation.

While some passengers were giving Amtrak brick sticks, others were about to distribute bouquets.

"One cafeman, James, has truly preserved everyone's spirit," said Alberto Hernandez, another passenger. "He was really nice and stopped everyone, like … panicking."

Many others have made the long unplanned stop with a good sense of humor.

"We tried to watch a movie that I downloaded," said Terri Hendricks, a passenger. "It did not go very well."

Inside the Eugene Depot depot, volunteers from the American Red Cross distributed good doses of good humor and refreshments to hungry passengers.

We have heard several stories of Amtrak staff members going beyond the call of duty to their service. One story stands out in particular and it was perhaps the same crew member that Hernandez mentioned to us, the guy named James.

"His name is James and he made diapers for little kids who did not have any," said Craig Hale.

In the end, good mood and optimism won the day under the stars.

"We did our best to pass the time," said Jordan Hooper. "Everyone remained positive and was very helpful. You know, shared what they did not have between them. Yes, we are mostly family now. "

A family united in difficult circumstances.