Blind Campers Stranded for Hours at Battle Creek Amtrak Station

Mechanical issues with Amtrak train leave group of low-vision adults waiting for alternative transportation

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A group of 30 blind and low-vision adults returning home from a winter camp in Battle Creek, Michigan faced a harrowing experience on Sunday when their scheduled Amtrak train was canceled due to mechanical issues. The campers were left waiting for hours at the Battle Creek Amtrak station with limited assistance, eventually having to board a single bus that could not accommodate the entire group.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges faced by disabled passengers when public transportation systems experience disruptions, underscoring the need for better accommodations and contingency planning to ensure the safety and comfort of vulnerable travelers.

The details

The campers, who were part of the Lions Club Winter Camp for the Blind, arrived at the Battle Creek Amtrak station on Sunday morning to board a 10:56 a.m. train home. However, the train's departure was delayed multiple times before being canceled altogether due to mechanical issues. With only one custodian present at the unstaffed station on weekends, the campers and their volunteer chaperones struggled to get information and assistance from Amtrak's customer service. After being told that five buses would arrive to transport them, the campers ultimately had to board a single bus that could not accommodate the entire group, leading to a chaotic and potentially dangerous situation.

  • The campers were scheduled to depart Battle Creek on the 10:56 a.m. Amtrak train on Sunday, February 10, 2026.
  • The train's departure was delayed to 11:15 a.m., then 11:30 a.m., before being canceled altogether around 11:30 a.m.
  • The campers waited at the station for approximately 7 hours before finally departing on a single bus around 4:30 p.m.

The players

Dianne Sweeter

A volunteer nurse who has worked at the Lions Club Winter Camp for the Blind at Battle Creek Public Schools' Outdoor Education Center for years.

Marion Ward

A camper who attended the event from Dearborn Heights.

Lions Club

The organization that hosts the annual winter camp for blind and low-vision adults in Battle Creek.

Amtrak

The national passenger railroad service that was responsible for transporting the campers from Battle Creek.

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What they’re saying

“When we're putting them normally on the train, they said they're already counting down to next year. So that's how much they love it.”

— Dianne Sweeter, Volunteer Nurse (wwmt.com)

“I walked in my house last night at 8:25 p.m.”

— Marion Ward, Camper (wwmt.com)

“Come on, Amtrak. So what, you send a bus for them, big deal. I will personally never travel.”

— Dianne Sweeter, Volunteer Nurse (wwmt.com)

What’s next

The Lions Club says it plans to charter its own bus across the state for the campers' transportation next year, rather than relying on Amtrak.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for better planning and accommodations by transportation providers to ensure the safe and comfortable travel of passengers with disabilities, especially in the event of service disruptions.