Railway traffic, which was disrupted by heavy snowfalls in Russia's Pacific island of Sakhalin for four days, has been restored, a spokesman for the local railway service said.

The snowstorms struck the island on Thursday blocking a rail line, with an avalanche engulfing a diesel locomotive and snowplow. Two railroad workers were missing, with rescuers forced to work carefully due to the threat of further avalanches.

More than 300 rail workers, along with as many as 200 soldiers, were working to clear the line and restore rail service.

The snowfalls also stranded about 60 cars on the main highway of the island. More than 30 special-purpose vehicles were dispatched to clear the snow, but were only able to advance about 5 kilometers (3 miles) an hour.

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, January 4 (RIA Novosti)