Residents, councilors report blocked railroad crossings in downtown Easley and urge continued reporting to federal agency

A downtown Easley resident and a council member described recurring incidents in which freight trains block downtown crossings for extended periods and urged neighbors to report the incidents to federal authorities and the railroad.

Mary Tyler told the council that trains often park on the downtown tracks where east- and westbound lines meet, creating long blockages. She said she contacted the Surface Transportation Board and a transportation industry analyst who advised keeping a log of blocked crossings. Tyler recounted responses she received from Norfolk Southern, including that a mechanical failure affected one locomotive and that "the dispatcher has been coached to avoid this scenario in the future." She said the analyst told her Easley is a difficult location for heavy trains to avoid.

Councilman Justin Alexander confirmed he had also contacted Norfolk Southern and said the company had returned two phone calls and similarly requested that residents keep a log, adding, "the more people that call, the better." Both speakers stressed that federal jurisdiction over interstate commerce limits local remedies and that reporting is the primary available avenue.

Tyler said she had been given a website dedicated to blocked crossings but noted its home page states there are no federal laws or regulations specifically governing blocked crossings. She urged continued reporting to the Surface Transportation Board and to congressional representatives as another possible avenue.

Ending: Council members acknowledged the frustration expressed by residents and encouraged continued reporting. No formal council action was recorded on the item during the meeting.