Several hundred passengers, some of whom had signed on only for the final leg into Vancouver, Wash., were told they would be transferred to buses. Most accepted the chance without grumbling. Three hundred accepted the bus ride. It's part of railroading. Dean and Diana Schueebeck of Santa Clara, Calif., were heading home after spending seven straight days riding the rails from Denver to San Jose, Calif., and on to Washington for the No. 700's historic excursion.
Mechanical failures happen.
Al Hall, one of dozens of bow-tied volunteers who served as car hosts and ticket takers, said he felt the disappointment as much as anyone. Those numbers could go higher, depending on the cost of the derailment. Melonas said a decision would have to be made on who would be stuck with that bill. Keitha and Bob Unger of Poulsbo took the derailment as just another railroad event. They do not plan to ask for a partial refund on their four-day fares.