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Town of Tonawanda Police files a complaint after CSX train issue

Posted: 11:13 AM, Feb 23, 2018

Updated: 2018-02-23 11:19:39-05

By: Paula D'Amico

The Town of Tonawanda Police filed a letter of complaint with the Federal Railroad Administration, asking them to investigate the CSX road blockage on February 8, 2018.

In the letter, Lieutenant Thomas Haynes writes, "As most of you are aware, on 2/9/18 at approximately 830am CSX called the Town of Tonawanda PD to inform us that a train was blocking the crossing at Woodward Ave in our Town, and that it would remain closed for a couple of hours until they could get another crew to operate the train. The crossing was blocked until after 11am, effectively closing that portion of Woodward Ave to any traffic. The PD took this very seriously because Woodward is a truck route and a direct route for emergency vehicles into the Riverview neighborhood coming from the south side of Town. At the time, we were unable to get any satisfactory answers from CSX.

According to the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, the FAA indicated they were investigating, and the incident was "unacceptable".

CSX contacted police on Thursday and explained that this should not have happened. They said this was a miscommunication between the rail yard and the train operators, and that CSX will make every effort to prevent a reoccurrence.

All:

Below is the official statement from Chief Jerome Uschold regarding the CSX road blockage on 2/8/2018.

Attached is a copy of the letter sent to the Federal Railroad Administration.

v/r

Lt. Thomas Haynes

Range Lieutenant / PIO

Town of Tonawanda Police Department

1835 Sheridan Dr.

Buffalo, NY 14223

Office: (716) 879-6616

Cell: (716) 857-0548

As most of you are aware, on 2/9/18 at approximately 830am CSX called the Town of Tonawanda PD to inform us that a train was blocking the crossing at Woodward Ave in our Town, and that it would remain closed for a couple of hours until they could get another crew to operate the train. The crossing was blocked until after 11am, effectively closing that portion of Woodward Ave to any traffic. The PD took this very seriously because Woodward is a truck route and a direct route for emergency vehicles into the Riverview neighborhood coming from the south side of Town. At the time, we were unable to get any satisfactory answers from CSX.

A letter of complaint was sent to the Federal Railroad Administration, asking them to investigate the incident. We spoke to them Tuesday, and they indicated they were investigating, and the incident was “unacceptable”. CSX then contacted me yesterday, Thursday 2/22, and explained that this should not have happened. They said this was a miscommunication between the rail yard and the train operators, and that CSX will make every effort to prevent a reoccurrence.

We did not find any malfeasance on the part of CSX, and as far as the TTPD is concerned, the matter is closed.

Sincerely,

Chief Jerry Uschold

Town of Tonawanda Police Department

1835 Sheridan Dr.

Buffalo, NY 14223

716-879-6607

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