TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - For the third time in two months, a train broke down in Railroad Square. It's at least the fifth broken-down train in the Tallahassee area this year.
Businesses in Railroad Square say they lose money each time a train breaks down there.
And not surprisingly, owners are anything but happy.
"It's hard for people who wanna get out there having that train stopped there like that really puts a dent in that traffic," said Harry Smith, Owner of Harry Smith Outdoors.
The summer has been getting tougher and tougher for Railroad Square. Stores already have to deal with the heat, rain and lack of students.
Now traffic flow has been reduced even more due to CSX Trains blocking Railroad Avenue. According to store owners, frequent and newer customers are finding it difficult to get to their stores.
In a statement provided to WTXL, CSX apologized for the inconvenience, going on to say:
"While there are time times when mechanical or operational issues could result in blocked crossings, these are situations we work hard to avoid. CSX is reviewing the operating plan through this area to minimize the impact of our operations while we work to efficiently serve customers."
Many of these stores say they're using social media and other resources to help customers find alternate routes to get around the disabled trains.
They're hoping whatever the issue is, it gets resolved before the fall.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A CSX disabled train is blocking traffic on Railroad Avenue.
According to businesses in the area, a train is currently blocking Railroad Avenue.
An eyewitness at the Leon County Health Department, which sits close to the train tracks, confirmed the train was still blocking the area at 10:45 a.m.
This is the third time this area has been blocked by a disabled CSX train within the last two months.
On June 16, a disabled CSX train shut down Railroad Avenue and Wahnish Way for several hours. A few days later on June 21, the Adam Street train tracks and the tracks across Railroad Avenue were obstructed by a disabled CSX train car.
CSX trains also have a history of breaking down in other Big Bend areas.
- (July 18, 2018) Jefferson County near Lloyd: The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office reported that a train was broken down in the area of Lloyd Acres from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The train had a few coupler issues which caused the breakdown. While it was there, it partially blocked railroad crossings at Murmuring Creek Road and Wild Wurkey Run.
- (January 30, 2018) Quincy: Seven rail cars derailed near Pat Thomas Parkway in Quincy. Two of the rail cars spilled a small amount of adipic acid (commonly used in the production of gelatin food products). This one took days to clean up though no injuries or environmental impacts were reported.
This is a developing story. Stay with us for details.
