Amtrak train is searched

SANDPOINT — An Amtrak train coming from northwestern Montana was searched at the Sandpoint Depot late Monday night after a passenger thought he smelled explosives in one of the cars.

No explosives were discovered, Sandpoint Police Chief Mark Lockwood said on Tuesday.

Lockwood said a male passenger disembarked in Libby, Mont., and advised police there of his suspicions. Authorities here were notified at about 11:22 p.m., which was about 10 minutes before the train pulled into town.

Lockwood was displeased that train was not stopped in a remote area and searched before reaching town.

"It's not a good idea to bring it into a populous area if you suspect an explosive device is on it," said Lockwood.

Lockwood said he did not know how much time had elapsed between the passenger's report and the notification of authorities in Idaho.

The passenger reportedly told authorities in Montana he was suspicious of the odor because he was familiar with the smell of explosives. Lockwood said it's not believed the report was made maliciously or to perpetrate a hoax.

The suspicious aroma turned out to be from deodorizer used to mask the smell of the train cars' septic system, said Lockwood.