Feds Rebuke CSX Transportation Over Train Crossing Issues

CHICAGO, IL -- A federal transportation board is holding a freight operator to more stringent reporting requirements and accountability in response to a complaint filed earlier this year by the Village of Evergreen Park and the City of Chicago.

In a 6-page ruling issued Oct. 7, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board imposed additional reporting requirements after residents from both communities complained CSX Transportation trains continuing to block rail crossings in excess of ten minutes and malfunctioning gates.

The original complaint alleged that the freight operator had broken promises it made to break trains stopped at rail crossings stopped for longer than ten minutes when CSX acquired operating rights on the Elsdon Line in 2013.

The freight operator was ordered in June to submit monthly reports for one year detailing efforts to address ongoing issues along the Elsdon Line, which runs through Blue Island, Mt. Greenwood and Evergreen Park.

Before the first monthly report was filed, the communities notified the STB about a lengthy blockage in an Aug. 1 letter. Both demanded that the federal regulatory agency find CSXT or take other steps to ensure CSX honored it obligations. On the same day, the freight operator indicated that it’s Aug. 15 report would include the train referenced in the letter, last week’s ruling said.

The transportation also stated that based on information in CSX’s first two reports, the situation on Elsdon Line remained “troubling.” Both reports identified numerous instances of street crossing blockages exceeding 10 minutes as well as various instances of signal malfunctions.

“The reports also show that, despite voluntarily agreeing to a condition requiring it to cut trains where a blockage exceeds 10 minutes … CSXT had not cut a single train, even in instances where the blockage lasted hours.”

In addition, the STB said it found the freight operator’s reports to be lacking in detail in its attempts to address issues on the Elsdon Line.

“The fact that CSXT is not cutting the trains, despite the fact that it was CSXT itself that proposed this as a mitigation condition, is concerning. It raises the question of whether CSXT made a representation that it knew or should have known it could not meet."

Last week’s ruling ordered CSX to submit additional information concerning operating protocols and community outreach to residents along the Elsdon Line. CSXT will also be required to participate in monthly technical conferences soon after monthly reports are submitted.

Ald. Matt O’Shea said the STB’s ruling exposed “CSX as the bad operator we have long known them to be” and that he would continue to advocate for operational changes on the Elsdon Line.

“In addition, I will seek fines and any penalties available. It is my hope that these actions will force CSX to operate in a more honest and responsible manner,” the alderman said.

Read the complete ruling.