Suspicious items force evacuation of Amtrak train near Lincoln

Posted on October 20, 2017
Amtrak train
Almost 200 Amtrak riders forced to wait for more than three hours near Lincoln while authorities checked suspicious items left by a passenger. (WJBC file photo)

By Howard Packowitz

LINCOLN – Almost 200 Amtrak riders were evacuated from a train near Lincoln and held-up for more than three hours Friday while authorities examined some suspicious items left behind by a passenger.

There were no injuries, and Amtrak Spokesman Marc Magliari said in a statement the evacuation of the 190 customers was a precaution.

The northbound Amtrak Train 302 runs daily between St. Louis and Chicago, and makes a stop in Normal.

Magliari said the incident affected one other northbound train and two southbound trains.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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