It is something that everyone tries to avoid: getting stuck at a railroad crossing when there's a long train coming that could possibly stop. Residents in West Park say this is something that they deal with on a daily basis, and it could turn into a life or death situation.

“My next door neighbor is very ill. We've had the ambulance there probably twice in the last month. And if they blocked that crossing right now with the bridge out. He may not make it,” says West Park resident Katherine Snyder.

What You Need To Know

  • Residents in West Park are periodically trapped in their neighborhood because trains

  • They have been stuck at the crossing from anywhere from an hour to three

  • This is an issue because there are only 2 ways in and out of the area and the other access point is closed for bridge repair

  • They fear emergency services will not be able to reach them in time because if the stopped trains

Anyone living on Floyd Ackert Road between Park Lane and Valli Road becomes periodically trapped when a CSX freight train stops at the nearby crossing.

Snyder says, “When the trains stop our community of about 30 houses here is completely cut off.”

The community only has two access points, Park Lane and Valli Road. But because of bridge repairs being conducted by the Ulster County Public Works Department, Valli Road is closed, leaving residents with just one way in and out. They say it has gotten so bad some people have resorted to dangerous measure to get home.

“I noticed a family with young children park their car, and walk in between the train cars of a stopped of the stop train,” says Melissa Ortquist, another concerned resident.

While Spectrum News was in the neighborhood, three trains rolled through the intersection in one hour, each lasting between five to 20 minutes. The biggest concern that Snyder and other residents have is the ability for emergency services to access their community.

“We have a couple people who are bed -bound in their homes and who need emergency care. Occasionally, there's no way for the ambulance to get through,” says Ortquist.

Snyder has contacted CSX, the company that operates the trains and tracks, about the concerns and issues they are having.

“CSX doesn't call me. We've all called them at numerous different times,” says Snyder.

CSX and the Ulster County Executive’s Office did not immediately return requests for comment.

As for Snyder and her neighbors, they are hoping to get legislation passed to stop trains from blocking crossing.