Residents join council against EJ&E sale

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BY CHARLES F. HABER
Times Correspondent | Thursday, November 20, 2008 | (8 comment(s))

GRIFFITH | Two dozen residents at a public hearing Wednesday evening on the proposed sale of the EJ&E Railroad registered their opposition to the move.

The residents were concerned about traffic tie-ups, train noise, the elimination of businesses along any overpass - and the resulting drop in the tax base.

Council President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, said an environmental impact study on the effect on Indiana and Illinois communities will be submitted to the Surface Transportation Board in a couple of weeks. The STB will have 30 days afterward to decide on the Canadian National Railroad's proposal to buy the EJ&E.

The councilmen said the number of trains traveling with the EJ&E would increase from nine to about 34 per day.

Councilman George Jerome, R-2, said CN trains usually pass through town going east-west or west-east. But he said this would change if the sale is approved.

These trains would be diverted to the EJ&E tracks for a trip north to the Kirk Yard, which is a railcar switching facility near the steel mills, Jerome said.

After leaving Kirk, these same trains would travel south, back through Griffith, and continue their journey east or west.

One resident near the tracks said sometimes there are four locomotives idling nearby waiting for a green light. He wondered what it will be like if the number of trains is increased.

"What they've done is take Chicago's problem and bring it to us," said Councilman Stan Dobosz, D-5th.

Resident Mike Kubacki said that any overpass over the tracks should include a bike path and possibly a viewing station.

Resident Angie Lewis wondered if the extra trains would have to wait until an overpass is constructed.

"The trains would start running right away," Jerome said. He added that such vehicle "mitigation" usually has three to five years of federal oversight to complete an overpass.

"The entire Griffith Town Council remains strongly opposed to this acquisition and asks that the STB rule against the acquisition," Ryfa said. He noted that the residential concerns will be included in a letter being sent to the STB.

Ryfa said the council is also in talks with the CN for an overpass and other considerations just in case the sale is approved.

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To Pat wrote on Nov 21, 2008 8:25 AM:

" But the number on the township vote by Griffith residents showed people downstate how serious we are and maybe that will help in getting the bill out of committee and on the floor for a vote. "

railroad employee wrote on Nov 20, 2008 8:56 PM:

" I was just stopped at an EJE railroad crossing and guess what?? it was a Canadian National train. Just to let everyone know, the CN is going to run trains on the J even if they dont own it. They will not be responsible to maintain the rail, but they want to run trains and will run them on foreign lines if they can't buy the J. The plan is to avoid the city rail traffic. They eje rail rail avoids that. They have to pay the j to run the trains but they will. They are in the process of reconfiguring the yards to run the trains on the j. "

pat wrote on Nov 20, 2008 1:49 PM:

" Numbers sure did not work on election day when we tried to get out of Caumet Township... and from what i read Griffith had an excellent showing, i believe it was 80 percent ! "

To Susan of Griffith wrote on Nov 20, 2008 1:27 PM:

" So when the Canadian National people read the The Times and see a picture of the people at the meeting and see - lets say 30 people - do you think that would make more of an impression instead of lets say 100-200? Numbers are the key! Sometimes petitions are not enough - but they definitely do help. When the issue came up with Franklin - over 150 people showed up to the school board mtg. Then the rail issue comes up and little participation at the meetings. Things always seem to happen when people don't participate actively, only complain, then when the issue does not go in their way, all they do is complain and you asked if they participated and they say NO. "

Mark of Griffith wrote on Nov 20, 2008 12:45 PM:

" There shouldnt be signal delays any more or standing trains at the crossings because the CN won,t be sharing the rail with other railroads like the EJ&E is doing now the dispatchers will have total control of the movement. The rail crossings delays would be kept to a few minutes. "

Susan of Griffith wrote on Nov 20, 2008 11:51 AM:

" To disappointed. We already signed a petition that was circulated some time ago. What more do you want us to do? Showing up at every Town meeting is only a duplication of the petition. The Town is fighting it and they don't need us to all show up at every Town Council meeting. They don't need us to tell that was a huge mess this will be as they already know that and are fighting this and have been fighting this. "

disappointed wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:37 AM:

" I am so disappointed by the turn outs at the town meetings to discuss this acquisition and other issues as well. I am getting tired of hearing so many people complain but when it comes time for people to gather together and show strong in our numbers - 30 people show up!!!!!! What kind of strength does that show? Come on people - get off your duff and get involved! " "

EJE Retiree wrote on Nov 20, 2008 7:55 AM:

" I can remember when the favorite pass time was fathers and sons of Griffith would stand along the EJE tracks and take pictures of the trains and wave at the train crews a lot of them went to work for the J and now CN is attempting to squash their childhood dreams.

There is more to this story and lots of pictures remember the 900 engines the engineers would lay on the horn and ring the bell going thru town and crack the throttle to channel 8 and the monsters would roar so loud you could hear them 10 miles away and feel the earth shaking for blocks.

SGS 75211 "

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