Parked railroad cars draw concern from resident
As a longtime Berwyn resident whose property is located in a predominantly residential area next to the Canadian National Railroad tracks (formerly Illinois Central), I take exception to the practices the railroad has been allowed to implement in recent years which do affect the quality of life for all who reside in Berwyn.

In particular, the use of our area as a switching yard, which means there are trains actually parked along these tracks 24 hours a day. The actual switching is often done very late at night when the resultant loud slamming and banging of the cars being switched is even more disturbing than it is during the day.

Another concern is that rail cars are often “parked” in this area and, at times, for as long as 12 hours. Of particular concern is that the tank cars that remain parked for long periods of time frequently contain hazardous materials, such as denatured alcohol. I have personally seen 40 to 60 of such tank cars going through or parking here at one time.

Trains permitted to sit for hours while dieseling in a residential area continues to be a situation for which no amount of citations from the City of Berwyn can seem to discourage. The tickets are paid and the dieseling repeats regularly, no matter the disturbance caused by the sound or the overall effect of the fumes.

These situations are in addition to the continuous disturbances and concerns caused by speeding trains, whistle blowing, fumes and extraordinarily long trains that detain traffic for very long periods of time. Also, there is the matter of the seemingly wanton destruction of the trees and shrubs along railroad property that, at least, offered a visual barrier to the sight of parked rail cars and did afford somewhat of a buffer to the railroad noise.

These concerns have been presented to Canadian National representatives from their headquarters in Homewood, at public meetings held at the Berwyn Police Department.

However, residents’ legitimate concerns regarding safety and their right to peace and quiet seem to have been disregarded and given nothing more than lip service to date.

I am frequently called upon by residents and neighbors in this area to find some solution, but this is something I, as one person, cannot effectively achieve. Therefore, it should be incumbent upon a united front of mayors and village presidents, along with their municipal officials, to bring more weight upon the railroad to solve some of these quality of life issues.

It has been said that the Canadian National would like to purchase the EJ&E Railroad, which would skirt this area to bring their trains in and would be more economical for the CN. However, there is a strong lobbying force in northwest communities by municipal officials there against this railroad because they do not want these same issues to occur in their communities. So, I say, what are we then? Less deserving of a good quality of life?

Rick Toman, former Berwyn alderman