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Two California Amtrak Trains Stalled By Snow In Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) - Blowing and drifting snow in north-central Illinois have stopped three Amtrak passenger trains headed for Chicago.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says more than 500 passengers are aboard the trains - The Southwest Chief from Los Angeles, the Illinois Zephyr from Quincy and the California Zephyr from the San Francisco Bay area.

The trains were halted in late Monday near Mendota, about 80 miles west of Chicago.

According to Magliari the trains are operating on tracks owned by the BNSF railroad. He says BNSF employees are working to reopen the tracks to get the trains moving.

Magliari says passengers will remain on the trains and being fed and kept comfortable by the crew. He said Amtrak officials are in contact with emergency responders in the event passengers encounter problems.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

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