Train Blocks Ford Avenue at Sixth Street for Hours

A stopped train blocked a railroad track at Ford Avenue and Sixth Street for hours Friday, beginning shortly before 6 p.m.

The train was extended so far on the track that it also blocked the tracks on Oak and Vinewood.

Canadian National owns the track. A company spokesman said he had no immediate information on the hourslong blockage, but was researching the matter.

With due to a construction project, Ford Avenue is expected to see additional traffic over the next three months.

At times on Friday, the line of cars backed up by the train extended several blocks down Ford.

At least two people walking in the area were seen climbing between train cars to hop the track, something that train safety experts say is very dangerous as a quick-starting train can easily crush a person.

Wyandotte Patch readers chimed in on Facebook about the blockage.

"I live right (at) Walnut and Fifth," Yolanda Mills-Reese said. "In the last couple of day, the train has sat on the track for hours. Thursday, I sat there for an hour right behind a EMS. They had person in the back. I hope it was not an emergency. Make you wonder."

"I live right across from it on Sixth and its been happening (quite) often for the past few weeks," Daniela Galati-LaFata said.

"I live right in the vicinity and you never know how long the trains will be stuck there," Lisa Plasky said.

"Got stuck myself!" Denise Henney Olson said. "It took me 35 minutes to (work) my way around to get to the middle school when normally it's only 5. Then I had to weave my way around to get back home. Rescued a couple of my daughter's friends who had been standing on the sidewalk for 15 minutes waiting for the train to pass!"

"It can be maddening, but it means something has gone out of whack," Roberta Hess Calhoun said. "Trains do use the same tracks, and need to yield for other trains. So, on occasion, they need to park and wait for their turn on a connecting route. So, give 'em a break. They want to be moving, too."

In December, the city of Wyandotte's website poll question was "How often are you stopped by a train in a given week?"

Forty-percent of the 245 respondents (99) said two to four times a week. Thirty-three percent (81) said four or more times. Seventeen percent (42) said once, while nine percent (23) said none.