Severe Weather Strands Detroit-Bound Amtrak Train in Calhoun County, Leading to Hours-Long Evacuation Efforts for More Than One Hundred Passengers

Published on November 29, 2025

Severe weather in Calhoun County, Michigan, caused a Detroit-bound Amtrak train to lose power on Thanksgiving Day, leaving over one hundred passengers stranded. The engine failure, brought on by the severe storm, left the train stuck in a remote area near Marengo Township. This disruption led to a multi-hour evacuation effort by local authorities, who worked in difficult weather conditions to ensure the safety of all passengers. As the train was unable to continue its journey, emergency responders used buses to transport the stranded travelers to the nearby Battle Creek Amtrak station, where they were able to board another train and resume their Thanksgiving travels.

A Detroit-bound Amtrak train became stranded in Calhoun County, Michigan, on Thanksgiving Day after losing power due to severe weather, prompting a major evacuation operation to ensure the safety of 107 passengers. The train’s unexpected halt in the midst of holiday travel led to a coordinated effort by local authorities, law enforcement, and emergency services to evacuate all travelers and get them back on track.

The incident began when the Amtrak train, traveling to Detroit, encountered an unexpected loss of power during a storm that affected much of the region. The engine failure caused the train to stop in Marengo Township, near the city of Marshall, at approximately 8:45 p.m. on November 27. The location, while not far from major highways, was still remote enough to pose significant challenges for both the passengers and the responding emergency crews.

Local law enforcement, led by the Calhoun County sheriff’s office, was among the first to arrive on the scene. Despite the harsh weather conditions, deputies quickly assessed the situation, ensuring that passengers were safe and accounted for. While there were no reported injuries, the passengers were left stranded without a clear way forward, as the train’s engine failure left them unable to continue their journey to Detroit.

In the face of rising temperatures and worsening weather, multiple agencies collaborated to begin the difficult process of evacuating the passengers from the disabled train. With limited options for transport due to the location of the train, the authorities decided to bring in buses from the local school district to move the passengers to safety. Marshall Public Schools buses were dispatched to the scene to provide transportation to the Battle Creek Amtrak station, a major transit hub in the area where passengers could catch a new train to continue their trip.

The evacuation was a delicate and time-consuming operation, lasting several hours. Authorities worked diligently through the night, ensuring each passenger was safely transported from the train to the waiting buses, despite the cold and difficult weather conditions. Once all travelers were on the buses, they made their way to Battle Creek, where they were transferred to a second Amtrak train to complete their journeys.

In total, the response effort was a demonstration of the teamwork between local law enforcement, emergency services, and Amtrak personnel. The collaboration helped to ensure that passengers faced minimal disruption to their Thanksgiving travel plans, despite the unforeseen event. While it took several hours to evacuate everyone and get them back on track, the authorities involved were praised for their quick response and careful planning.

Officials emphasized that, despite the stress of the situation, the entire operation was carried out with no injuries. The challenges posed by the weather and the time of year — with Thanksgiving being one of the busiest travel periods — only added to the complexity of the evacuation. However, thanks to the efforts of all involved, the passengers were able to continue their holiday travel without any major delays.

Amtrak released a statement thanking local authorities for their swift action and acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the power loss. The company reassured passengers that they are continually working to improve their systems and enhance the reliability of their service, especially during adverse weather conditions.

Severe weather in Calhoun County, Michigan, caused a Detroit-bound Amtrak train to lose power on Thanksgiving Day, stranding over one hundred passengers. Emergency responders worked for hours to evacuate them, transporting them by bus to the Battle Creek station, where they were able to continue their journey.

This incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of travel, especially during peak holiday seasons. Severe weather can disrupt even the most well-planned journeys, but it also highlights the importance of strong coordination between different agencies and services to handle emergencies effectively. The successful evacuation of the Amtrak train on Thanksgiving Day is a testament to the resilience of both the passengers and the local authorities who ensured their safety throughout the ordeal.