(The following story was circulated by the Associated Press on October 6, 2010.)
DES MOINES, Iowa — Passengers boarding Amtrak trains in Iowa could see more uniformed law officers as part of a national “RailSafe” exercise.
The surge in passenger train security includes local, state, federal and railroad agencies.
Friday’s exercise coincides with a security alert in Europe in response to fears of a terrorist attack. Amtrak spokesman told Steve Kulm told The Des Moines Register that the drills are done periodically and this week’s exercise was previously scheduled.
Iowa has two trains on Amtrak’s national system — the California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief, which run daily between Chicago and the West Coast.
In Iowa, Amtrak has stations at Burlington, Fort Madison, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola and Creston.