Alex and Kathleen LePore say freight trains stored by the Deer Park Avenue overpass ruin the look of their community.
Graffiti-laden freight trains used by the New York & Atlantic Railway are constantly parked over the Deer Park Avenue-Route 231 LIRR overpass. It’s a major eyesore in our community. All we are asking is that the cars be moved off the overpass farther down the tracks to eliminate the eyesore. Our contacts with the company have gotten us nowhere.
We called New York & Atlantic Railway President Victor Paul who said he’ll instruct workers to move cars as far east as possible in an effort to ease the eyesore. If 10-11 cars are stored, they should clear the overpass. But if more cars have to be stored there, they will be visible.
Deer Park is his place of last resort for storing freight cars, used only when all other storage areas provided through NYAR’s contract with the Long Island Rail Road are filled.
Paul said if there are special events being held in the community, such as a parade, he will try to have the trains moved temporarily for aesthetics and return them when the event is over.
The number of cars stored on L.I. mirrors the economy, he said. The slower the economy, the more freight cars stand idle.
LIRR spokesman Sam Zambuto said in prepared statement, “The LIRR has had discussions with the New York & Atlantic Railway on the issue...in response to concerns raised by residents, elected officials and Newsday’s Community Watchdog. The LIRR and NYAR are exploring alternate locations for the storage of these freight rail cars and, in the near term, the NYAR is preparing protocols for the storage of the cars to the east and/or west of the trestle.”
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Comments (14)
Oh my, move them to Garden City, but not Deer Park!
The extra weight on the bridge is not good. When it comes falling down on innocent people or a school bus. Then something will be done about it.
the overpass is not going to fall down because one empty rail car is parked above it
If you don't like the look of trains, don't buy a house within sight of the railroad.
Is common sense really a thing of the past? The IQ of the average Long Islander seems to be going down by the day.
That area of deer park is no hamptons, so what is the big deal? If im not mistaken the LIRR was there before any house (1834), perhaps these people should have bought a house in Hawaii.
Since when have homeowners on Long Island become feudal barons that can tell another business how they should be operated?
Unfortunately, if you don't like the sights near a railroad track, do not move by them. I'm sure they had no problem with the discounted cost of the real estate near the right-of-way when they purchased the property (as opposed to the cost of a similar home away from the railroad tracks.)
Interestingly, in the video accompanying this article, there was quite a bit of "noise pollution" in the background (automobiles, trucks, etc.). How does this not affect their quality of life, but freight cars do?
Unless poster RJ above is some type of civil engineer and has inspected the bridge, his comments are as outrageous as those two in the article.
Everyone of those railcars are 4 less tractor trailers polluting, rumbling, and ruining the L.I.E.
Everyone wants trucks off the road, yet no one wants trains.
The stork isn't going to bring the freight on & off the island folks. Rail freight is the only answer.
The LePores aren't saying get rid of the trains. They understand how the freight trains reduce the number of trucks on the roads. What they want is for the trains to be moved farther east or west on the tracks so they're not visible to traffic on Deer Park Avenue, which is a main thoroughfare for the community (that's why you're hearing so much vehicle noise on the video). The trains haven't always been there. The LePores want to improve the looks of the town they call home. Is that so bad?
"The trains haven't always been there" well, the tracks WERE there, and trains ARE usually found on train tracks.
Gwen appears to be yet another of the "I knew that ____ was near this house before I bought it but now I don't like it so I'll complain"
Hey People LISTEN. They are not asking for the trains to disappear that are asking they be moved off the main road in their home town. LISTEN. This is not the Hamptons but its our home also and it looks like hell I have lived in DP since 1969 and now its being used to store trains on out main road. All they ask is just pull it 100 ft east or west They are 100% right I'll sign the town petition . Oh by the way the town of Babylon also agrees as per the petition by Supervisor Bellone. So with our dropping IQ maybe you over educated readers can leard how to read and comprehend. Signed A DP resident
Gee, Jack Mehoffer, you seem a little hostile, so, sorry for whatever is making you angry. But on Long island, having train tracks run through your town doesn't mean you'll have freight trains parked on the main thoroughfare. Yes, the tracks have been there. No, the freight trains have not always been there. That's why people in the community are upset. They don't appreciate the new landscape created by the freight trains. It's not a case of moving into a home and then complaining about a pre-existing problem.
Since when have homeowners on Long Island become feudal barons that can tell another business how they should be operated?
Unfortunately, if you don't like the sights near a railroad track, do not move by them. I'm sure they had no problem with the discounted cost of the real estate near the right-of-way when they purchased the property (as opposed to the cost of a similar home away from the railroad tracks.)
Interestingly, in the video accompanying this article, there was quite a bit of "noise pollution" in the background (automobiles, trucks, etc.). How does this not affect their quality of life, but freight cars do?
The cars are not parked on the main thoroughfare. They are parked on a railroad siding, one that has been there for over 170 years, and longer than anyone else in the surrounding neighborhood.
True, the NIMBYs making a stink don't want to see the freight trains abolished, just moved so they don't disturb their Island paradise. They don't care about fixing the problem, only making it someone else's.
If they wish to have the cars moved, I'm sure the railroad would let them build a siding somewhere else that is more suitable to them, as long as they pay for it. Somehow, I don't think they would come up with a dime.
A big part of this problem was caused by our wonderful elected officials. For over 30 years the MTA, LIRR and other agencies did their best to discourage and eventually destroy freight service on Long Island. By the 1980's-90's there was so little freight coming in by train, it would lead people to believe that no freight trains ran on LI. A whole generation has grown up along side the tracks without seeing freight trains that were common on Long Island during the early to mid 20th century and are an everyday occurence in other parts of the country. It's understandable that people would be upset, especially those who bought thier homes under the assumption that no freight ran by. But the reality is that we need freight trains to relieve our strained road system now more than ever. With the prospect of the New York & Atlantic always looking to developing new business which will lead to an increase in freight traffic, look for these types of complaints to continue and increase in the future.