(The following story by Craig McKee appeared on the State Journal website on April 22.)
WAYNE, W.Va. — Some folks who live along Front Street are concerned that the train tracks in front of their home could lead to a disaster.
A crack has formed in the solid steel rail used to support train and cargo that can weigh tens of thousands of tons.
“They’ve been up through here checking the railroad. If they wanted to fix it they could fix it,” said Eddie Epling, who has lived in his Front Street home for 40 years.
Epling said he’s never seen a problem until now.
“They’ve always maintained the railroad,” said Epling.
But the same can’t be said for Aaron Fischer who visits his friend along Front Street several times a week, allowing his daughter to play outside with other kids in the neighborhood.
“If it would derail it would probably take out these houses here and the vehicles and like I said if there were any kids out here they would be in danger themselves,” said Fischer.
He said he and his mom both have tried for over a month to get Norfolk Southern employees to do something, but with no results.
“I stopped one of the fellows right in front of it and he looked at it and said thanks and went on up the road,” said Fischer, referring to one of the train company’s safety trucks that run along the tracks.
He said his mother went directly to a Norfolk Southern crew working on repairs farther up the tracks.
“She told them that it was necessary that they come down and fix it and the guy who was the foreman on the job said we’ll come right down and fix it,” said Fischer.
They never showed.
The tracks are used regularly and Epling said every couple days he sees Norfolk’s safety trucks drive along the tracks, making sure it’s clear. Fishcer said he can’t understand why this isn’t considered a priority.
13 News contacted Norfolk Southern’s regional public relations manager, Robin Chapman, regarding the crack.
In an e-mailed response, he said, “I just now heard back from the track supervisor for that area. After my call to the engineering department, he inspected it late yesterday and took no exception to what he found. The condition of the rail falls well within NS and Federal Railroad Administration standards. It may not look pretty, but I am assured it poses no safety hazard.”