(The following story appeared on the WTAQ website on October 1, 2010.)
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WTAQ) — Passengers on Amtrak’s high-speed train from Milwaukee to Chicago were evacuated Friday morning, when the crew learned it was leaking diesel fuel.
Authorities said the train was going north when it stopped at its normal depot in Sturtevant just after 7:20 a.m. A passenger wrote on Twitter that he and others waited for a half-hour before being told to evacuate. Amtrak arranged alternate transportation, and the Tweeter said he finally made it to his destination in downtown Milwaukee about 10:20.
South Shore Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Salvo said about 200 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled – and a catch basin on the train caught some of it. He said the rest of the fuel was spread for about 50 miles, and a cleanup is not required.
Salvo said diesel fuel is not as dangerous as gasoline, and it would not pose a danger on the tracks. No one was injured.