News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Office of Public Information -- Phone: (405) 521-4180 FAX (405) 521-6945

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick K. Petree Reference: TRN51898-30

KC Southern Railway Fined $5,500 for Blocking Crossings in Stilwell

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has fined the Kansas City Southern Railway $5,500 for illegally blocking rail crossings in Stilwell.

The commission order said evidence presented at a public hearing indicated the railroad illegally blocked crossings 22 times between Jan.1 and March 7. Commission rules prohibit a stopped train from blocking a crossing for more than 10 minutes except in emergency situations.

The commission staff filed a contempt action after Stilwell citizens and school officials complained, and the railroad did not take action after receiving written notice from the commission to stop the illegal blockings.

G.R. "Buddy" Combs, Railroad Department manager, said most of the blockings were caused by one train waiting on a siding for another train to pass. He said the Kansas City Southern has changed its passing procedure so trains meeting in Stilwell can pass each other without either having to stop.

Terry Reardon, KCS Railway general superintendent, told the commission the railroad is considering building a new siding south of Stilwell.

The Kansas City Southern line enters Oklahoma from Arkansas in northern Adair County. It serves shippers in Stilwell, Sallisaw and Poteau before returning to Arkansas in southern LeFlore County.

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