Amtrak announces detour change for Empire Builder in North Dakota

Amtrak has reversed the direction of the temporary detour of Empire Builder trains in North Dakota due to progress made by BNSF Railway Co. to add track capacity, Amtrak announced earlier this week.

The eastbound Empire is now operating over the detour route. As a result of the change, Amtrak is using chartered buses to cover the missed stations in Rugby, Devils Lake and Grand Forks, N.D, Also, BNSF traffic via Devils Lake will primarily flow westward, including the westbound Empire Builder, according to an Amtrak press release.

Amtrak officials are working with BNSF to restore the Empire Builder's reliability. BNSF is installing additional and lengthened passing sidings, and adding double track on the route used by Amtrak. When completed, Empire Builder's on-time performance from St. Paul, Minn., and the West Coast is anticipated to improve significantly, Amtrak officials said.