Residents in Crosby are frustrated as stalled trains frequently trap them in their neighborhood for hours, raising safety and inconvenience concerns.
CROSBY, Texas — Residents in far northeast Harris County say they are fed up with trains trapping them in their neighborhood. In the Crosby community, neighbors report that the issue with stationary trains has become a significant problem.
The trains often stop and block the only two crossings into the Spindletop community, sometimes leaving everyone trapped for hours.
Tina Cox, who has lived in the area most of her life, worries about her special-needs grandson and elderly father. She fears what might happen if a train blocks emergency responders during a crisis.
“Our biggest concern is getting trapped in and not being able to get out,” Cox said.
The unpredictability of the train stoppages compounds the danger.
“People can’t get to work or get home from work, depending on the day,” Cox said. “And then, buses can’t get in or out.”
Residents have taken to using Facebook to communicate when these stoppages occur.
“The train is not moving,” Cox noted while showing a video.
Curtis, a driver near the tracks, expressed his concerns.
“What concerns me most is that neighborhoods like this have no other way out,” he said.
Another driver, Joe, described the situation as “very, very bad,” especially in Dayton, where it leads to long lines of vehicles.
Union Pacific, the company responsible for the trains, said they are actively monitoring the crossings in Crosby. They encourage anyone affected to report issues at UP.com or through their emergency line.
Cox understands that delays happen but argues that when trains sit for hours, it becomes more than an inconvenience.
“You’re affecting people’s livelihoods,” she said.