State lawmakers get an earful at train meeting (OH - railroads - ...have had problems with computers...)

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State lawmakers get an earful at train meeting

By JOHN SEEWER The Associated Press 12/16/99 11:00 PM Eastern

HURON, Ohio (AP) -- Putting an end to the rail congestion that has been clogging up northern Ohio since early summer is becoming a top priority for state lawmakers.

Residents, business owners and community leaders came together Thursday to let the lawmakers know that they want help in easing train traffic.

It's on the way, said Sen. Jeffry Armbruster.

Three bills dealing with the train trouble have been introduced at the Statehouse and Gov. Bob Taft has pressured the railroads to make changes.

Taft also is expected to put money for more railroad overpasses in the upcoming capital construction bill.

"The governor has made this one of his top priorities in the capital bill," said Armbruster, R-North Ridgeville. He has introduced a bill that would increase the fine for blocking a crossing to $1,000.

Those from small towns complained that state laws limiting the maximum fines against railroads to $100 in some areas aren't enough.

"Right now, state law gives us a little plastic hammer," said Oregon law director Paul Goldberg. "We want a big metal hammer."

"That big hammer is on the way," promised Rep. Jeanine Terry, D-Toledo.

Dozens of other local leaders spoke during a special joint meeting of the House and Senate transportation committees designed to figure out what can be done about the increased train traffic.

Since CSX Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. began taking over Conrail's routes in June, train traffic has tripled in some areas. That congestion has forced the railroads to park trains on crossings and block the paths of cars, trucks and emergency vehicles.

The railroads spent three years planning the Conrail split, but have had problems with computers and getting enough workers at the right place and time because of dispatching problems.

Both have said they are working to get their trains moving.

Neal Zimmers, a lobbyist for CSX Corp., said the railroad is evaluating the way its trains are routed through northern Ohio and expects to reduce traffic in some of the most congested areas, he said.

"We should see a difference in the inconveniences we're causing by the end of January," Zimmers said.

And once the traffic is reduced, the merger will allow businesses to get their products to new markets, Zimmers said.

"The benefits down the line can be very extensive," he said.

But while the railroad waits for traffic to improve, the blocked crossings are creating a safety hazard for police and fire departments, said Huron County Commissioner Larry Silcox.

He noted that ambulances have been forced to take long detours because of trains that close roadways.

"We cannot sacrifice the safety of the citizens of Huron County for economic development," Silcox said.

Norfolk Southern, based in Norfolk, Va., is spending $100 million in Ohio to add more track that will allow trains to flow more smoothly, said Pat McKune, a consultant for the railroad.

"It's in our best interests to fix this," McKune said. "A stopped train that is blocking a crossing isn't making any money for us."

Sen. Scott Oelslager, R-Canton, said he was skeptical about the railroad's desire to solve the problem quickly, because it has failed to deliver on earlier promises.

He warned the railroad executives that "we'll be watching closely, because people's lives are at stake."

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), December 17, 1999

Answers

We don't have any trains in Bermuda, but correct me if I'm wrong- Don't they carry food for grocery stores and coal for power plants? Oh, and thankfully I live 700 mi. from a 7-11.

on de rock

-- Walter (on de rock@northrock.bm), December 17, 1999.


Walter,

The main problem with the train SNAFU in NW Ohio has been the inability for the grain to be shipped out. There isn't enough room to store as much grain as farmers have brought in, so some farmers have taken the loss and let their crops rot. Some of the grain was shipped out via trucks, but that method isn't as cost effective.

-- (ladybuckeye_59@yahoo.com), December 17, 1999.


I'm three houses down from a CSX line. It used to be VERY busy with trains heading north with coal, south-bound with cars. We'd have at least 5-6 per night (while I was home and not asleep). However, now, there are very few trains, quite a few nights without any traffic at all.

One positive side is that I don't have to be quite so concerned about a derailment. Everynow and again, some daredevil conductor speeds by at at least 40 mph +++, which is way too fast. (Not to mention that the local ELF Atochem has their chemical holding tanks right next to the tracks.) So, yes, for me, decreased CSX traffic is a blessing.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), December 17, 1999.


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