Amtrak Empire Builder Trains 7 and 8 in Daylight at Trinidad Loop, WA

On the frigid morning of February 13, 2020 the Seattle sections of both Empire Builder trains 7 and 8 made a daylight move around Trinidad Loop in Washington just after sunrise within minutes of each other. Westbound train #7 was running about 3 hours late, with BNSF 6784 on point leading AMTK 5 due to mechanical issues with the Amtrak locomotive. Eastbound train #8 arrived about 20 minutes later, running almost 10 hours late, with AMTK 25 and 40 leading. This train had been delayed on Stevens Pass by a disabled BNSF freight train. Normally this train traverses this territory well after dark, even in the longest days of summer.