(Houston television station KHOU posted the following story by Chau Nguyen on its website on May 3.)
HOUSTON — Remote controlled trains are coming to the Houston area — the big kind. Union Pacific plans to begin training railroad employees on how to use the remotes in the next few weeks.
The sights and often loud sounds of locomotion is everyday life for many who live near Houston’s Englewood rail yard. Ethel Wiltz has lived blocks from the rail yard for 42 years.
“I love my neighborhood. Everybody here is favorable and nice,” she says. But to Wiltz, not so nice are remote controlled trains coming to the rail yard.
Rail yards are where trains converge to distribute their loads. Now, instead of operators manning the switch engines, remote controls will be in charge. Wiltz sees this modern technology as endangering her old-fashioned safety.
Union Pacific began using remote-controlled trains back in February and it says it only uses the remote controls on switch engines at rail yards like this one.
Remote controlled trains have been the subject of controversy across the country. Critics charge a remote controlled error could lead to accidents — accidents which could be especially dangerous with railcars carrying hazardous materials.
“From here to here is probably about 200 feet,” says Chris Patino, whose house sits directly in front of the rail yard. Like his neighbor, Patino worries.
“If you have these trains and there’s an accident I mean we’re here this close to this yard & Yes that’s a concern.”
Patino will meet with his neighbors to talk about Union Pacific’s plans.
As for Ethel Wiltz.
“I plan to stay right here.”
At 73, Wiltz says she’ll risk getting used to the remote controls, just as she has gotten used to the sights and often loud sounds.