The Answer Is No
by Doug La Rocque
Two weeks ago, The Eastwick Press ran a story about a section of Pan Am Railways tracks along Railroad Avenue that were damaged in the big flood of July 2017. Rail employees had been seen working near the site, and we sought to learn if the location in question was finally going to be fixed. It appears, the answer to our question is no. After several people spoke with the employees, they said only that they were there to replace some rail ties, nothing else. So, the crumbling base means trains still must not travel any faster than 18 miles an hour, and there continue to be, on occasion, long backups at rail crossings as a result.
Hoosick Councilman Jerry McAuliffe Sr. and County Legislator Bruce Patire continue to dog the railroad and the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) in an effort to have that section of rail repaired. Mr. Patire said after his repeated requests, DOT did inspect the area, but the report will only be made public after a Freedom of Information request is filed. Legislator Patire has filed that request, but DOT said it could well be the end of the year before he receives a copy of the report. The state agency blamed COVID-19 restrictions for the delay.
The Eastwick Press has made repeated attempts to contact Pan Am Railways without success.
Pan Am Is Being Sold
Besides Pan Am Railways, the Village of Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County and DOT, there is now another ingredient in the mix, CSX. Considered by many to be the largest freight train operator in the Eastern United States and Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, the Florida based corporation has agreed to purchase Pan Am Railways for a undisclosed price.
According to a report from FreightWaves, a rail industry newsletter, the deal has been in the works for several weeks and CSX CEO Jim Foote is quoted in the report as saying “In Pan Am, CSX gains a strong regional rail network in one of the most densely populated markets in the U.S., creating new efficiencies and market opportunities for customers as we continue to grow. We intend to bring CSX’s customer-centric focus and industry-leading operating model to shippers and industries served by Pan Am.” According to FreightWaves interview with CEO Foote “the acquisition will add Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine to CSX’s 23-state network, and it will expand CSX’s presence in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.” As to how the change of ownership will impact the problem spot in Hoosick Falls, that remains to be seen.