Bomb Threat on Amtrak #8 at Portage, WI

[kschmidt]

I happened to catch the news at 4pm on Channel 4 WTMJ in Milwaukee, WI they are saying that there was a bomb scare on Amtrak #8 this afternoon as it traveled towards Portage, WI. The train was stopped and passengers were taken off the train at Portage. Then apparently the train was moved away from the depot and Portage so that the train could be checked by the Sheriff Dept. Shots of the train moving were from the Channel 4 Helicopter.

Keith Schmidt

[Anonymous]

[sigh]

It's really too bad that some people have to do this kind of stuff, what an inconvenience.

[Big_Boy_4005]

It wasn't me, I swear. I was only taking pictures on Saturday morning[swg]

[Noah Hofrichter]

Heard about that too. I was very suprised about it. Was the train going to chicago way or to St. Paul way, I couldn't figure it out from the little I saw on the news?

Noah

[Big_Boy_4005]

Had to be eastbound for Chicago, time of day. When running on time they pass between Milwaukee and Chicago. Eastbounds depart St Paul around 8 AM, westbounds around 10 PM. Eastbounds are more likely to be late through St Paul since they have been running for almost 2 days, and once late they usually stay late.

Actually it was reported that the passengers were all questioned and put on busses for Chicago and Milwaukee. The bomb sniffing dogs got a real workout since many of the passengers were transporting fireworks in their luggage. No bomb was found.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:
The bomb sniffing dogs got a real workout since many of the passengers were transporting fireworks in their luggage. No bomb was found.

That must have been quite the mess!

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by macguy

QUOTE:
The bomb sniffing dogs got a real workout since many of the passengers were transporting fireworks in their luggage. No bomb was found.

That must have been quite the mess!

That's what I thought too. I can just imagine the scene. All of these people in the school gym, and a cop with a bullhorn saying "If you are carrying fireworks in your luggage, please step forward now!!!" That would be a bit embarrassing. I suspect it is illegal to transport them.

Many types are still illegal in Minnesota, and all were until just a couple of years ago. In Wisconsin they are all legal, and lot's of Minnesotans cross the border to get the big stuff, including my neighbors. We only live 3 miles from the border.[:0]