• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

CSX Corp.

Dade City train issues draw federal attention

August 21, 2014 By Michael Hinman

A problem with CSX Corp. stopping trains in the middle of intersections in Dade City has drawn attention not just from local officials, like Dade City city manager William Poe and Pasco County sheriff Chris Nocco, but from a Congressman as well.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis says he has initiated a Federal Railroad Administration investigation into CSX after the company twice stopped trains in the middle of roads, because of what they said were federally mandated stop times for workers.

“As Pasco County’s voice in the United States Congress, I echo the concerns raised by the police chief, sheriff and other community leaders regarding the recent CSX situation,” Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, said in a release. “These preventable delays posed not only considerable inconvenience to residents, but more importantly, they represented an irresponsible and flagrant disregard for the public safety needs of our community.”

It’s not exactly clear what the railroad administration will be able to do. However, Bilirakis said he was assured by officials within the agency that they will conduct a “thorough investigation into what occurred in both cases, and take proactive steps to ensure that similar incidents are avoided.”

The problem stemmed from two separate incidents in July and August where engineers stopped trains after meeting the maximum number of hours they could work. The engines, according to local officials, were left running and unattended, in one case blocking three of the four available intersections in and out of a neighborhood for more than five hours.

That resulted in an angry letter from Poe soon after, decrying CSX for creating potential safety issues, and forcing local law enforcement to help secure the train and direct traffic.

“This thoughtless action on the part of your crew created a tremendous strain on our ability to provide essential public safety services,” Poe said in a July 16 letter to CSX. “The area adjacent to the train tracks is a residential neighborhood, and the roadways that were blocked provide the main access to numerous other neighborhoods, schools, parks, (a) cemetery and other facilities. A high volume of pedestrians, as well as vehicular traffic, go through this neighborhood on a daily basis.”

CSX responded to the complaints by saying they would work to avoid blocking intersections for long periods of time in the future. And when they do, they will give local officials a heads up, and separate train cars so that intersections are clear for vehicular traffic.

A CSX spokeswoman told The Laker/Lutz News in a statement Wednesday that is “apologizes for the disruptions caused by trains blocking road crossings in Dade City. We understand the frustrations of residents and local officials, and are making operational adjustments. CSX will make every attempt to keep trains running through Dade City except under emergency circumstances.”

CSX also heard from Bilirakis’ office as well.

“I also called leaders within CSX to put them on notice that this type of behavior is unacceptable, and will not be tolerated,” Bilirakis said. “The people of Pasco do deserve better than this, and I will not rest until I receive assurances that those responsible will be held accountable and that proper plans are in place to prioritize the health, safety and well-being of our community.”

The Federal Railroad Administration is one of 10 agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation that deals with intermodal transportation, according to the group’s website. It was created by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966. It is led by fifth-generation railroader Joseph Szabo.

 

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Chris Nocco, CSX Corp., Dade City, Federal Railroad Administration, Gus Bilirakis, Joseph Szabo, Palm Harbor, Pasco County, U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of Transportation, William Poe

Sheriff blasts CSX over train-related road blocks

August 20, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Pasco County sheriff Chris Nocco is stepping into a dispute between a railroad company and Dade City residents over randomly stopped trains in the city.

Nocco sent the letter to CSX Corp., Tuesday after a train stopped inside the town, blocking roads. It was the second time a train had stopped in the past 40 days, creating traffic problems that lasted for hours.

“The statement CSX issued apologizing to motorists for the ‘inconvenience’ shows an appalling lack of concern regarding the situation,” Nocco wrote in his letter to Michael Ward, president and chief executive of CSX. “This problem could have been avoided if trains were stopped just north of the city. For CSX to act as if this was an unavoidable problem when it could have been avoided with just a few minutes of forethought or action demonstrates (willful) neglect of CSX’s responsibilities.”

In a statement from its spokeswoman late Wednesday, CSX said it “apologizes for the disruptions caused by trains blocking road crossings in Dade City. We understand the frustrations of residents and local officials, and are making operational adjustments. CSX will make every attempt to keep trains running through Dade City except under emergency circumstances.

“If a train is stopped, local officials will be notified and crews have been instructed to separate the train’s cars at rail crossings to allow motorists through.

“Again, we sincerely apologize for this disruption.”

In previous published reports, CSX said the stoppage was caused by federal laws that dictate how many hours engineers and other workers are allowed to put in at one time. In each case, the employees ran out of time, and had to stop immediately — even if that was in the middle of a town.

The problem is that it not only ties up traffic and people’s ability to get around Dade City, but also creates public safety hazards, Nocco said.

“Intentional leaving of a train that blocks access of public safety vehicles and personnel in case of an emergency could cost the life of one of our citizens,” Nocco said. “I would hope that this is the last time this needs to be addressed.”

William Poe Jr., the city manager of Dade City, tried his own approach when the first train stopped and blocked roadways in July. that train, he said in a letter to CSX transportation superintendent Sam Ferrara, blocked three of the four railroad crossings into a neighborhood on the east side of the city. That train ended up blocking those intersections for nearly five hours.

“This thoughtless action on the part of your crew created a tremendous strain on our ability to provide essential public safety services,” Poe said in his July 16 letter. “The area adjacent to the train tracks is a residential neighborhood, and the roadways that were blocked provide the main access to numerous other neighborhoods, schools, parks, (a) cemetery and other facilities. A high volume of pedestrians, as well as vehicular traffic, go through this neighborhood on a daily basis.”

Dade City positioned police offices on both sides of the track at each intersection to help move traffic around the blockages, and to provide security for the train itself, Poe said. The engine was left unattended, and was running.

“I would ask that you examine your processes to ensure that these episodes do not happen to us, or any other city, in the future,” Poe told Ferrara. “These careless actions severely limited the capabilities of even basic emergency services response, and could have been catastrophic to our citizens. Just as vital, your leadership demonstrated no urgency in bringing resources to us in a timely manner.

“This is inconceivable to me.”

Updated 8/20/2014, 11:26 p.m., to add statement from CSX Corp.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Chris Nocco, CSX Corp., Dade City, Michael Ward, Pasco County, Sam Ferrara, William Poe Jr.

Primary Sidebar

Pasta di Guy, Wesley Chapel

Foodie Friday Gallery

Featured Story

Shooting For The Future

Mainstreet Billiards of Zephyrhills

Search

Sponsored Content

Family Fun at Molly’s Hatchet — Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality and Video Games

April 13, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

When the owners of Molly’s Hatchet axe throwing venue in Zephyrhills tell folks they are a family destination, they … [Read More...] about Family Fun at Molly’s Hatchet — Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality and Video Games

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

04/13/2021 – Meal prepping

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Meal Prepping to Save Money” on April 13 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. This Money Smart Week program will cover topics such as making a meal budget, meal prepping to save time and money, and healthy pantry staples. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/13/2021 – Meal prepping

04/13/2021 – Networking group

The East Pasco Networking Group will meet on April 13 at 7:30 a.m., at IHop, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. The guest speaker will be Rosie Paulsen, commissioner, published author, speaker, and Medicare broker. For information, contact Nils Lenz at 813-782-9491 or , or Vicky Jones at 813-431-1149 or . … [Read More...] about 04/13/2021 – Networking group

04/15/2021 – Women and finance

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Women and Finance” on April 15 at 6:30 p.m., for adults. Participants can learn to take control of their financial future, learn how to manage cash flow and debt, saving and investing for the future, and how to protect what matters most. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/15/2021 – Women and finance

04/16/2021 – Parenting exhibit

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 400 N. Ashley Drive in Tampa, will present “(im)Perfect,” a documentary-style exhibition that shows the everyday ups and downs of parenting, worldwide. Documentary family photographers use raw, unposed, undirected family moments to create visual narratives that elevate family routines to an artistic expression. The display will run from April 16 through May 31, and is included with museum admission. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/military/seniors. For information and tickets, call 813-221-2222. … [Read More...] about 04/16/2021 – Parenting exhibit

04/16/2021 – Shooting competition

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Dade City will host a Rotary Night at the Armory Shooting Competition on April 16 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the West Armory, 15029 U.S. 301 in Dade City, for ages 21 and older. Guns and ammo will be supplied. Tickets include the use of the simulator room, dinner, a gun raffle and prizes. A live DJ will provide the music. For information and tickets, call Kerry Westbrook at 352-521-6689 or the West Armory at 352-437-5571. … [Read More...] about 04/16/2021 – Shooting competition

04/17/2021 – Absolutely Avalon

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will host “Absolutely Avalon” on April 17 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 5060 River Glen Blvd., featuring bounce houses, food trucks, musicians, a face painter, interactive games, a rock climbing wall, a laser light show at dusk, and more. Everything is free. For information, call 813-783-1515. … [Read More...] about 04/17/2021 – Absolutely Avalon

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
12h

Pasco board approves nearly $200,000 for design work. https://buff.ly/3d4VBsA

Reply on Twitter 1382000767859625994Retweet on Twitter 1382000767859625994Like on Twitter 1382000767859625994Twitter 1382000767859625994
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
12 Apr

City manager recaps possible 911 dispatch merger. https://buff.ly/3uQ4nAL

Reply on Twitter 1381638267980951555Retweet on Twitter 1381638267980951555Like on Twitter 1381638267980951555Twitter 1381638267980951555
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
11 Apr

This week in SPORTS: Watch these locals during 2021 @MLB season. https://buff.ly/3dNYtJj

Reply on Twitter 1381275948750938122Retweet on Twitter 1381275948750938122Like on Twitter 1381275948750938122Twitter 1381275948750938122
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

Pasco Sheriff addresses local concerns, issues

Zephyrhills councilwoman bullish on town’s outlook

Vaccination efforts continue to expand

June opening anticipated for Dade City bike hub

Union Park Charter Academy has one year to get finances in order

Pasco County Schools preparing for two new STEAM schools

Cleanup collects 37,000 pounds of trash

Divided county board approves apartment request

Groundbreaking held for veteran’s free home

Garden club plans Arbor Day celebration

Flea market lures shoppers with its bargains

Nail salon gets OK, despite neighbors’ objections

Local stakeholders seek solutions to opioid crisis

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

Pasco Sheriff addresses local concerns, issues

Zephyrhills councilwoman bullish on town’s outlook

Vaccination efforts continue to expand

June opening anticipated for Dade City bike hub

Union Park Charter Academy has one year to get finances in order

Pasco County Schools preparing for two new STEAM schools

Cleanup collects 37,000 pounds of trash

Divided county board approves apartment request

Groundbreaking held for veteran’s free home

Garden club plans Arbor Day celebration

Flea market lures shoppers with its bargains

Nail salon gets OK, despite neighbors’ objections

Local stakeholders seek solutions to opioid crisis

Sports Stories

Hillsborough County Parks launches exercise challenge

Hillsborough Fire Museum Clay Shoot

Watch these locals during 2021 MLB season

Charity hockey game

Deep Fried Dash 5K

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   