SCHUMER: IDLING GARBAGE TRAINS IN DEPEW LEAVE ENGINES ROARING ALL NIGHT & SEND NOXIOUS GARBAGE STENCH INTO HOMES – SENATOR CALLS ON CSX TO MOVE TRAINS OUT OF DEPEW, FIND NON- RESIDENTIAL AREA FOR TRAINS TO IDLE

Schumer Urges CSX to Get Idling Garbage Trains Out of Depew Neighborhood & Move Them To A Non-Residential Area So Depew Residents Are Not Afflicted by Smell, Noise Pollution

Schumer to CSX: Move Trains For The Sake of Depew Residents’ Health, Quality of Life

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the CSX rail company to move trains filled with garbage, that have been idling at all hours of the night on its rail lines along Walden Avenue, a heavily populated residential area in the Village of Depew. Depew residents complain that CSX garbage trains idle all night in the midst of a residential area emitting noxious fumes and constant engine noise. The trains are uncovered, which allows the smell of garbage to permeate the neighborhood and has prevented many residents from going outside or opening their windows. Schumer urged CSX to prioritize the health and quality of life of Western New Yorkers and find an alternate, non-residential location for these idling trains.

"The bottom line is that a quiet, residential neighborhood like Depew is no place to park smelly and noisy garbage trains. These trains are having a negative impact on the health and quality of life of Depew residents and something must be done,” said Schumer. “These trains keep residents awake all through the night and send a horrible stench into their homes. And the situation is only made worse by the humidity of summer. Depew residents have had to put up with idling and uncovered garbage-filled CSX trains in their back yards for far too long, and I am urging CSX to find an alternate, non-residential location for these trains so our residents’ health and quality of life will no longer be affected.”

Many of the trains do not shut off their engines at night, providing a noisy distraction for all of the nearby residents and preventing many of them from getting a good night’s sleep. 

The Mayor of the Village of Depew, as well as many other residents, have contacted Senator Schumer’s office looking for help in remedying this issue after failing to receive a response from CSX. The Village of Depew has contacted CSX regarding the trains multiple times throughout the months of June and July with minimal response. Schumer noted that residents were assured before the July 4^th holiday that the trains would be moved; that has not happened since CSX made this promise to residents. Senator Schumer responded to the village’s request for help by writing to Michael J. Ward, the Chairman, President, and CEO of CSX, and urging the company to find an alternate location for the idling trains for the sake of residents’ health and quality of life. . 

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to CSX CEO Michael Ward is included below:

Dear Mr. Ward,

I am writing on behalf of the residents of Depew, NY and the surrounding areas in regards to a very troubling issue.  It has been brought to my attention trains operated by CSX have been sitting idle for long periods of time within the village.  This issue has been raised by a large number of concerned citizens, who have devoted a significant amount of time to writing letters and calling CSX, as well as local officials.

These trains, which are located along the tracks on Walden Avenue, are in a heavily residential area.  Many of the trains do not shut off their engines at night, providing a noisy distraction for all of the nearby residents and preventing many of them from getting a good night’s sleep.  Even more disturbing is the cargo being carried by a number of these trains.  Cargo train cars carrying large amounts of garbage are being left in a residential area without cover. This has left many residents unable or unwilling to go outside or open their windows, despite the heat.

Therefore, I am requesting that you do everything possible to get these trains moved away from this area as soon as possible.  I welcome any opportunity to assist you and your company in getting this matter resolved as quickly as possible.

If you have any further questions, you’re welcome to contact my office in Washington at202-224-6542 and speak with either me or a representative from my staff.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

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