The Marshall County Sheriff`s Department received several complaints in reference to a train blocking the Norfolk & Southern Rail Road crossing, located in Burr Oak for excessive amounts of time. Past complaints include:
October 10, Blocking crossing for excessive amount of time.
October 29, Blocking, allegedly, in excess of 3 hours
October 30, State Road 17, Blocking excess amount of time.
The train conductor was told not to block the intersection for more than ten minutes and a verbal warning was given which advised that in the future, citations would be given.
On Sunday, November 16, The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department obtained another complaint that Norfolk & Southern was again blocking the intersection / railroad crossing, located in Burr Oak. Officer Les McFarland arrived on scene at approximately 9:30 a.m. Officer McFarland observed that Norfolk & Southern’s train had the railroad crossing blocked at the Burr Oak crossing, in excess of 10 minutes.
Officer McFarland then drove to the area of Redwood crossing and made contact with Conductor. It was explained that the train had been blocking the crossing for excess of 10 minutes. The Conductor stated that they had been waiting for a train from the Fort Wayne area to pass, since it was extremely long. Norfolk & Southern was issued a written citation for Indiana Code 8-6-7.5.1. It is a concern for First Responders, Fire, Police and Ambulances of the roadway being blocked for excessive amount of time to that area, since State Road 17 is the main roadway between the Culver and Plymouth area.
Indiana Code 8-6-7.5.1 states that it shall be unlawful for a railroad corporation to permit any train, railroad car or engine to obstruct public travel at a railroad-highway grade crossing for a period in excess of ten (10) minutes, except where such train, railroad car or engine cannot be moved by reason of circumstances over which the railroad corporation has no control.
