The train was supposed to reach the city by midnight.

By ten-thirty the snow had turned into a white wall against the windows. The conductor’s voice came over the intercom, calm but final: the line was blocked ahead, no estimate for clearing, all passengers would remain on board overnight. The dining car was already out of hot food. The power would be rationed to keep the heat running.

I had a seat in a quiet car near the back. Most of the other passengers had clustered forward where the lights were brighter. My compartment—technically a dual sleeper that had been sold as single occupancy—stayed empty until the door slid open...