Stalled Trains Strain Plymouth’s Patience

Plymouth, MI — How long have you spent waiting for freight trains to crawl across the tracks in Plymouth

Sometimes, the CSX Transportation trains block intersections for up to 90 minutes, according to a report by The Plymouth Observer, and motorists, city officials and restaurant owners who say it’s cutting into business aren’t happy about it.

“This is affecting police, fire and EMS service, and CSX is deliberately creating a safety hazard,” City Manager Paul Sincock told the newspaper.

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Sincock, whose office has fielded multiple complaints about the stalled trains, said prolonged backups happen almost daily.

“It’s one thing to live with the trains, and it’s a total other thing to be held hostage by the trains,” he said.

Bode’s Corned Beef House owner Sherry Sieber said she’s probably lost half her lunch business because people are avoiding the trains, and Marta Clare, a bookkeeper at Station 885, a restaurant parallel to the train tracks, said patrons often call to check if there’s a train outside before going there.

CSX spokeswoman Gail Lobin told the newspaper company officials are aware of the problem and working to fix it. The railroad is an important asset in the area.

“The entire region is so important. We’re delivering commerce,” she said. “But we’re going to try to limit the impact.”

City officials have reached out to U.S. Rep. David Trott, R-Birmingham, and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-East Lansing, for help. They’re working to arrange a meeting with CSX, according to the report.

» For much more about the situation, go to hometownlife.com.