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Library referrals train-camera proposal to foundation board for review
Summary
A public commenter proposed installing a live-streamed train camera on the Unicoi County Public Library to promote Erwin; the board referred the proposal to the Toney Foundation board to check CSX filming policy and consider a vote.
Mark Loewe, a public commenter, asked the Unicoi County Public Library Board on Jan. 22, 2026 to consider hosting a live train camera on the library building that would stream footage of trains passing on the CSX line. He said the project is part of a podcast network called Steel Highway, noting there are "over 92 host sites" and "over a million monthly viewers," and told trustees the library would only need to supply power and internet.
The board did not take a final vote on the proposal. Instead, board members agreed to refer the request "to the Toney Board for a vote and to discuss CSX policy regarding filming," according to the meeting minutes.
Why it matters: The proposal would use library infrastructure to host a public-facing camera feed tied to an external podcast network. That raises facility-use and vendor-policy questions — including whether CSX permits continuous filming from the building and whether the library's insurance or privacy policies would allow streaming from the site.
What’s next: The board's referral means the Toney Foundation board will review the concept and CSX policy and decide whether to take a formal vote. The library board did not set a date for that review during the Jan. 22 meeting.
