Idling trains move south, but vexation remains

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Local activists have successfully compelled Metro-North to relocate idling trains away from Marble Hill, but now they are unhappy with the new spot for the vehicles — just three miles away, and in a neighborhood already plagued by pollution.

After years of complaining to the authorities, members of the group Bronx Climate Justice North landed a phone call with Metro-North in April. The activists said diesel fumes from trains run by operator CSX that regularly idled at the Metro-North’s Marble Hill station cause headaches and respiratory problems. They also took exception with CSX’s cargo, liquid petroleum gas, fearing a disaster in the event of a collision or derailment.

The activists were not happy when they noticed CSX trains had stopped idling under their windows — following a Metro-North order amid intervention from state Sen. Adriano Espaillat — only to relocate the practice to the Highbridge Train Yard near Sedgwick Avenue and West 170th Street in the South Bronx. That area is colloquially known as “asthma alley” due to its notoriously high rates of respiratory illness. 

“We did want them to move the problem away from the Marble Hill area, but we didn’t want them to move [the trains] to an area that is even more affected by air quality,” said Bronx Climate Justice North founding member Jennifer Scarlott.

Metro-North spokesman Aaron Donavan said to his knowledge, the CSX trains are stopping and idling at a stretch of track not owned by his agency.

“We have a policy, which is that we do not allow CSX trains to idle on Metro-North property for extended periods of time,” he said. “So most likely, this is happening off of our property, where we have no jurisdiction.”

CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle said that the company has moved propane through the Bronx for years and trains only idle when they have to.

Metro-North, Marble Hill, CSX, Bronx Climate Justice North, Jennifer Scarlott, Anthony Capote
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