On the wrong side of the tracks: Railroad woes stir frustration in Resaca
Residents of Resaca, particularly those living on Ga. Hwy. 136 East, voiced their frustration with CSX Railroad and asked the city for help and guidance at a recent work session of the Resaca Town Council. The issue is the train blocking the tracks for lengths of time that range from 40 minutes to two hours where Georgia Highway 136 East at Highway 41 in Resaca. There are two sets of tracks at the intersection, but switch to one set on either end. This allows one train to stop so another train, travelling the opposite direction, can pass.
It’s a problem that’s gotten worse, partly because trains have gotten longer, with some topping 150 cars, meaning there isn’t room on either side of the intersection for the train to stop and it needs to block the intersection.
“Most people are okay waiting fifteen or twenty, even thirty minutes,” said Joe Moore, co-owner of Resaca Sun Farms on Fite Bend Road. Moore has been one of the most outspoken about the train problem in recent weeks and he recalled one incident that really set him off.
“We had a tractor trailer stopped at the tracks at two in the morning,” he recalled of the incident. “It was two hours before they got the train moved and the tracks cleared.”
He said some people know how to get around the tracks, generally by following Hwy. 136 East to either Corinth Church Road or to Hwy. 225, but tractor trailers rarely have that option. Even the vehicles that can use the alternate route find that it adds twenty to thirty minutes to their commute.
“( Tractor trailers) just can’t turn around on 136 like a car can,” he said, adding such delays hurt his feed business because they can’t get the products out and employees are sometimes stuck on the wrong side of the tracks, coming in late to work.
He said he’s contacted CSX directly numerous times and even called the Federal Railroad Administration, the division of the U.S. Department of Transportation which deals with railroad issues.
“They threw their hands in the air and asked what could be done,” Moore said.
The problem will eventually be compounded when Inland Container builds a facility in Murray County, meaning there will be more trains and traffic coming down the tracks and Hwy. 136.
But even without Inland Container, the frequent blocks cost businesses money as the Highway has several farms that ship out products, in addition to causing children to be late for school and residents to be late for work.
“It’s always been a problem with the intersection being blocked. We passed an ordinance that is still on the books,” said former city council member Brant Talley. “I’ve called CSX, state government and even the federal government. It’s always the same story – business incidence.”
Talley said CSX sent their community affairs director to the town to speak with the city council several years ago, but would not agree to meet with the public on the issue.
“They were cooperative and said they would look into it and it seemed to have gotten better,” said Talley, adding he has spoken to all levels of government about the situation, including Representative Tom Graves and State Representative John Meadows.
“It’s only a matter of time before a catastrophic event happens and the deputies can’t get there,” George Kirkland said. “It’s ridiculous that we have to wait forty plus minutes to get across the tracks.”
“I agree with (them),” Allen said about those complaining.
The town has ordinances that were passed three years ago and have threatened to sue the railroad company. But similar measures have proven fruitless for other communities. “They don’t pay,” Allen said. “A town like Resaca will have a hard time going that route,” said Talley.
“We’ve had them here twice and they say they’ve had to make the trains longer, but the switch tracks aren’t long enough,” Allen said. “We’ve called them hundreds of times.”
“You still end up working with the union and they are going to do what they want to,” said Councilman Justin Barton. “Not only that, the number listed on their sign is not the official complaint number. If you call it, it doesn’t count as a complain. You have to get the complaint number from them then call again.”
Sam Allen said they would call the Community Affairs Department and talk to them again.
Several options were suggested, including extending the double track. Making it longer would allow the trains to stop without blocking the intersection.
Calls to CSX were returned as of press time.
To report a railroad blockage to CSX, the public can call 1- 800- 232- 0144. not