Do we as a Village have any leg to stand on as far as Union Pacific Railroad staging its locomotives on the bridge above the Taylor Street underpass? Two days this week, UPRR has staged its trains- with its locomotives idling for hours - all the while spewing diesel fumes into a residential area. Can't even open my windows. I know a few folks from our Village read this board and I am curious what we can do about it. And if you need proof, the locomotives are there right now, idling away as I type this.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ted E.,

Good question Bitter-I'd be curious about that myself since we live in that area as well. There have been occasions that I called the UP hotline to complain about a train that was sitting/idling for longer than I thought it should. They were very prompt in responding and shortly thereafter, the train had moved on. It is especially annoying at night...

Yes, I just called 1-888-UPRRCOP (877-7267). Personally, unless some sort of emergency, the locomotives shouldn't be idling at this location. We are talking about 25 yards away from someone's back door for Christ's sake.

I recall when many years ago a local woman went up to the locomotives idling along that stretch to complain and was struck and killed by another train. We were fairly new to Glen Ellyn, so I did not know her or her family.

Even now, it makes me sad to think about that tragedy. Please, don't do that, okay!?!

Thanks Mom, I did hear about that. It is truly sad that it happened. It is tempting sometimes-but ironically even though we live so close to the tracks, trains scare me.

Are "f*****g windows" a new line from Pella or Andersen?

I swear they had an agreement with the village that said they would not park there...that they would stage with the engines near the bridge that goes over Route 53.

I will call the Village. Any idea who to ask, or what department to contact?

In the past, I have called our P.D. and they have been very effective in getting them to move. But the problem persists.

Clam is correct, I remember reading about that in the Herald a few years ago.

When dealing with railroads, it's generally safe to assume that they will give you the figurative middle finger on just about every subject. The laws give them borderline regal authority when it comes to their rail lines and rights of way.

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Originally posted by bitterboy:
spewing diesel fumes

I don't know what the hell your complaining about! This vagrant has been sitting outside of my window for the past 4 hours. I'll take the diesel fumes anyday!

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This vagrant has been sitting outside of my window for the past 4 hours

The tall guy who talks to himself? Apples and oranges. Now if he were smoking......

Went to the Village this AM. Although not 100%sure, they seem to think that Steve Jones is the guy I need to speak with. Surpisingly, I couldn't even get the guys business card and was told to look his phone number up on line.

Maybe you could get Perez to mark all of the train tires with his chalk stick. . . . come back 2 hours later and write a ticket for each and every train cars that haven't moved?!

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In the past, I have called our P.D. and they have been very effective in getting them to move. But the problem persists.

Oh and Gem, this goes for the bums too.

Yeah, the tall guy. I've been talking back and he's been looking up into the sky. Hope he doesn't see me!

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:

The tall guy who talks to himself? Apples and oranges. Now if he were smoking......

Went to the Village this AM. Although not 100%sure, they seem to think that Steve Jones is the guy I need to speak with. Surpisingly, I couldn't even get the guys business card and was told to look his phone number up on line.

This couldn't possibly be true. Someone at the Village asked you to look it up on the Village's website?

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I couldn't even get the guys business card and was told to look his phone number up on line. Confused

Did you go upstairs?

That accident was my brother's neighbor. Shortly there after a sign went up where the locomotive pulls up to, close to finley. I believe disel engines need to remain on. Starting them is hard. My husband's generators trucks are on all the time at their job and job sites -especially in the winter unless there is an engine heater on them.

Something may be happening in the train yard where they have to unfortunately wait out in this area. And yes, there are some long trains and I've seen them barely clear Park Ave.

Her name was Ewa Stefanski and she was struck and killed as she complained to an engineer about an idling train between Glen Ellyn and Lombard back in the fall of 1997.

The Trib ran a story October 19, 1997 on the idling issue. Archived story, you have to pay, so I can't link it.

Article says that idling freight trains in Wheaton and Glen Ellyn, Illinois have been disturbing nearby residents, who are annoyed at the fumes and noise from the trains. After meeting with administrators from the two suburbs, Union Pacific Railroad officials said they will consider moving the idling trains away from residential areas.

The article reports that UP officials agreed to look into moving the trains several blocks west in Wheaton and east on the Glen Ellyn-Lombard border. Goes on to say that residents said they are plagued and fumes from the trains that idle on the triple-track mainline, sometimes for as long as 10 hours. The trains are parked in the Wheaton area because there is a stretch of train track that extends west from the downtown train station for nearly two miles with no grade crossings... makes it perfect for storing the freight trains, some of which are 1 1/2 miles long. Also says that according to UP rules, stopped trains must always leave their engines idling.

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Archived story, you have to pay...

Get a (free) COD Library card.

Go to cod.edu/library. Click on “Databases & Articles.”

Bingo! Free access to hundreds of publications you'd otherwise have to pay for. —Ted E.