More train citations issued

By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com

The Norfolk Southern Railroad was issued two additional citations for blocking a roadway Tuesday after multiple reports of trains sitting idle and blocking intersections in the county.
Sheriff Randy Waters reports Deputy Alex Jones issued a citation to Engine #1170 that had been blocking the Century Lane intersection for nearly three hours. According to the report the deputy spoke to the conductor who stated he was aware of the blockage, but was not able to move the train without permission from dispatch. The conductor also stated the two-mile long train was waiting for a southbound train to pass and expected a 30 to 40 minute wait.
The deputy noted approximately 43 households on Century Lane were effected by the blockage and the road was inaccessible to emergency vehicles throughout the duration of the blockage.
A short time later a second train was cited for the same violation. Deputy Cody Stephens issued a separate citation for Engine #3660, which was blocking the entrance to Madaline Strunk Road.
The units were cited for obstructing a highway under KRS 525.140, which states no railroad company shall obstruct a street for more than five minutes at a time.
Court dates for May 3 and May 31 have been set for the two cases.

The train company was also issued citations last month, and was subject to an arraignment hearing on April 19 in District Court, but no representative from the company appeared and a new date for the hearing has been set for June 28.