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Stranded Amtrak passenger on her way home to Central Coast

Posted at 6:30 PM, Feb 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-27 22:22:23-05

An Orcutt woman is still trying to make it home to the Central Coast after spending nearly 40 hours stranded on an Amtrak train in Oregon.

Jordyn Hooper was one of nearly 200 passengers stuck on the train, stranded in a winter storm.

The Coast Starlight train left Seattle Sunday and was headed for Los Angeles.

Hooper and her four-year-old daughter hopped on the train in Eugene, Oregon, but about an hour and a half into their ride, the train stopped.

“There was nothing they could do. It’s not like they could have driven up and saved us,” Hooper said. “All the highways were closed so literally, it was just waiting to hear what was going on.”

The train hit downed trees, turning delays from hours to into days.

Passengers could see some of the downed trees from the train cabin. Courtesy Jordyn Hooper
Passengers could see some of the downed trees from the train cabin.
Courtesy Jordyn Hooper

 

“It was very upsetting and worrisome, especially when the crew told us there wasn’t going to be any food,” Hooper said.

Food from the train cart was comped for passengers Monday, but supplies began to run low by Monday night.

She says she had brought lots of snacks for her daughter but eventually had to ration food when she began to run out.

“I didn’t want to feed her everything I had and then not have any food for her if we were going to be stuck longer,” Hooper said.

With no cell service, limited food and no end in sight, Hooper entertained her daughter and took in fresh air from a small window.

Hoopers daughter made friends while stuck on the train. Courtesy Jordyn Hooper
Hooper’s daughter made friends while stuck on the train.
Courtesy Jordyn Hooper

 

“We basically just ran back and forth the length of the train and thankfully there was a lady who brought out her ukulele so we sang sing-along songs,” Hooper said.

Hooper says she is disappointed by the lack of communication from Amtrak.

“I know this kind of thing doesn’t happen frequently, but the train staff had no idea what to do,” Hooper said. “I think there should be some sort of policy in place for this.”

The train started moving again Tuesday morning after crews cleared the tracks.

With feet on the ground, Hooper and her daughter are now anxious to get home.

“I am really praying that the ride home this time is going to make it home and it’s going to be a little bit easier.”

Hooper says Amtrak is paying for her and her daughter to stay in a hotel in Eugene.

They are getting ready for a 23-hour train ride this Friday, hopefully arriving back on the Central Coast this weekend.

According to Hooper, Amtrak told her the company will reimburse her for the trip.

She also says their journey home could be delayed further if the weather worsens.