Longer freight trains are more than just a nuisance. They're increasingly costing Texans their time and safety
Five years ago, the average Union Pacific freight train was 8,000-feet long. Today, it's more than 9,000 — with many extending as long as 15,000-feet.
Nicknamed 'monster trains,' these freight haulers can carry in a single trip what would take two or three shorter trains to move—saving railroad companies millions of dollars. Union Pacific told the CBS News Texas I-Team the addition of rail cars to an already scheduled train is both safe and good for the environment.
But longer trains also mean longer waits at crossings. And when a monster train stops, it often becomes more than an inconvenience.
Monster trains in texas
The CBS News Texas I-Team found nowhere is the problem bigger than in Texas. Data from the Federal Railroad Administration shows more than 7,000 reports of trains blocking crossings across Texas in the past year — that's more than three times as many as any other state.
Many of the most problematic crossings are in Tarrant and Denton Counties.
When Fort Worth firefighters get a call from an address near train tracks, dispatch sends two trucks — one from each direction.
If the route includes the train crossing on Avondale-Haslet Road in the far northwest corner of the city, the most frequently reported blocked crossing in North Texas, trucks roll from both the Fort Worth and Haslet fire stations.
"That way we know that we're coming from two different directions," said Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson Craig Trojacek. "So, a stopped train is not going to stop our response time."
The Federal Railroad Administration said it's focused on the safety of all train lengths, but that there is "no empirical evidence that clearly implicates train length in a reduction of safety."
A 2024 study of the relationship between train length and derailment risk determined longer trains do have a greater risk of derailment.
Trapped in
Jeff Kennedy, resident of the Vista Ranch neighborhood in north Fort Worth, calls his subdivision a lollipop neighborhood:
"Only one way in and out."
To get out of Vista Ranch, residents have to cross the tracks on Tinsley Lane. If a train blocks the crossing, there's no other way in or out.
In May, the I-Team witnessed the problem up close when a train lost power and blocked the crossing for more than four hours.
"It's a danger, unnecessarily," said Kennedy.
Tarrant County construction crews began work last month on a new road that will give neighbors in Vista Ranch another way out without having to cross the train tracks.
"That will be good, but it's going to take a while," said Kennedy. "Four to six months. Hopefully, in the meantime, we won't have another train stoppage."
Bad for business
Chad Beavers, owner of Cold Springs Processing, knows firsthand that blocked train crossings can be more than just a minor inconvenience — they can be bad for business.
The grease disposal facility just north of downtown Fort Worth sits between two sets of train tracks, and at times trains block both at once. In fact, Beavers said it happens anywhere from three to eight times a day.
"My main goal with our customers is we get you in and we get you out," said Beavers. "And when that doesn't happen, that hurts our bottom line."
The I-Team witnessed workers from the factory across the street walking between train cars so they wouldn't be late for work. It's illegal to cut through a train, but workers said it happens all the time.
"It's dangerous, but you need a job," said Carson Brown, a forklift operator. "You don't want to lose a job because of a train."
Costly Solutions
Texas lawmakers filed a House bill during the most recent legislative session to cap the length of a train at 8,500 feet. The bill was never voted on by lawmakers.
But even if it had passed, the state can't enforce it. Train length is regulated by the federal government, and there are no federal limits.
Building roads around, or bridges over, train tracks is a costly solution. In January, the federal government gave Texas $80 million in rail safety grants. That covered just six projects. This year, Texas also set aside an additional $250 million in a grant program to fund railroad grade separation projects. Despite the investments, with 9,000 train crossing statewide, the funding will not address all the problematic crossings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Dear Abby: Every man I meet online wants to marry me
DEAR ABBY: I am twice divorced and recently celebrated my 61st birthday. I look pretty fantastic, and I'm in great health. My husbands were really great guys, and I have maintained positive relationships with both. My first marriage lasted 20 years; the second lasted 10. I have been flying solo for the last five years. I love my life and lifestyle and have no desire to marry again. I like having my own space and the freedom to do as I please. My dilemma is, while I'm open to dating and having companionship, the men I connect with online all want to be married! As soon as I tell them I'm not looking for marriage, they disappear. Recently, I was literally hung up on in mid-conversation because of my response to the marriage question. How can I get to the 'let's meet in person' part if the first or second phone conversation ends things because I'm being honest? I don't want to lie. It's challenging trying to explain that I no longer believe I must be married in order to feel fulfilled. I have family and wonderful friends in my life, plus I'm very outgoing. I admit that I do miss some aspects of being in an exclusive relationship. It's just that I'm not trying to be a Mrs. anymore. Third time's the charm … NOT! Please advise. — STOPPING AT TWICE IN TEXAS DEAR STOPPING: I hear from so many women who have the opposite problem that you are having. As soon as they indicate that they ARE interested in marriage, the men head for the hills. You either haven't met the right men yet, or you may be delivering your disinterest in marriage message too strongly. You might have better luck if you specify what you DO want — which appears to be companionship and a monogamous relationship. DEAR ABBY: I need advice about my daughter. She is in an abusive marriage. Her four boys, aged 3 to 12, have been affected by what is going on. They are not properly disciplined and are being abused as well. Her husband is on drugs and abuses my daughter mentally and physically in front of the children. Should I keep letting her take my grandsons back to a bad situation, or should I call child protective services? This is tearing me up inside. We are not young enough to handle caring for the kids full time because they're so messed up. They'd end up in foster care. What should I do? My daughter would probably lose her mind if she lost them, but I can't stand to see them suffer. — ALARMED IN MISSOURI DEAR ALARMED: There may be a less drastic solution than calling child protective services. The next time the husband acts out, call the police. Once he's out of the house, help your daughter find a battered women's shelter that will accept her and her children until she can become independent. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233; may be able to help you locate one. This would be better than turning your grandchildren over to strangers. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Associated Press
12 hours ago
- Associated Press
Photos of Juneteenth celebrations commemorating end to slavery
Juneteenth celebrations took place across the U.S., commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas learned of their freedom. While long honored by Black Americans, the holiday has gained broader recognition since becoming a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden, who attended an event in Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth began. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
CBS News
14 hours ago
- CBS News
National Juneteenth Museum moves closer to reality in Fort Worth
A long-awaited symbol of freedom and progress is one step closer to taking shape in Fort Worth's historic Southside. The National Juneteenth Museum, a project years in the making, is set to rise on the site of the Southside Community Center. The Fort Worth City Council approved the demolition of the building earlier this year, clearing the way for construction. Honoring Juneteenth's legacy "It's going to be a beacon of light," said Fort Worth City Council member Chris Nettles. "It's going to be fresh air." The museum will honor and celebrate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday became federally recognized in 2021, thanks in large part to the efforts of Fort Worth's own Dr. Opal Lee, who spent decades raising awareness about its significance. "It means so much to Fort Worth because our very own was an icon to make sure that this is not just a Texas thing, but this is a national freedom for all people," Nettles said. "Because none of us are free until we all are free." The National Juneteenth Museum Photo courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group, KAI Enterprises and National Juneteenth Museum Catalyst for community growth Nettles believes the museum will not only preserve history but also spark new growth in the surrounding neighborhood. "It will bring so much traffic and growth and activity to an area that has, over some period, begun to die off or gotten old," he said. The city has committed $15 million to the project, and the Texas Legislature has pledged another $10 million. However, museum leaders say construction won't begin until all fundraising is complete. $70 million project in progress The total cost of the museum is estimated at $70 million. "My greatest hope is that families will be able to come together from all different cultures, to come to a location and understand history," Nettles said. "Schools will be able to come here — Fort Worth ISD, Crowley ISD, Keller ISD. They'll come to a location here in Fort Worth. It's going to be incredible." The National Juneteenth Museum is expected to become a landmark of cultural and historical significance, not just for North Texas but for the entire country. Freedom Vibes festival kicks off To celebrate Juneteenth, the museum is hosting a four-day festival called Freedom Vibes. The festivities begin Thursday evening and run through Sunday, with multiple events and activities planned throughout Fort Worth. Organizers hope the celebration will grow into the country's premier Juneteenth event.
