Amtrak schedule disrupted by Montana derailment

The daily Amtrak trains that serve La Crosse will have a shortened schedule for a couple of days, because of a Montana derailment that killed three people. 

Amtrak says the Empire Builder will operate only between Chicago and St. Paul through Tuesday.  Service west of St. Paul, to Seattle and Portland, is cancelled while Saturday’s derailment is being investigated. 

The rail service is working with authorities in the Joplin, Montana area to get medical help to injured riders.  Eight of the 12 cars on the westbound train went off the rails, with some cars tipping onto their sides. 

The Empire Builder route between the Twin Cities and Chicago, including La Crosse and Winona, will run as scheduled.  

There were 141 passengers and 17 crew members aboard at the time of the accident.