WENDELL — Around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, a visible crack about an eighth of an inch in width was splitting a steel section of Pan Am Southern railway crossing Wendell Depot Road.
An hour later, the crack was “closed” and no longer visible.
The shifting section of damaged railroad, which is also flattened from apparent uneven impact from the wheels of traveling trains, is a concern for Wendell’s road commissioners, including Phil Delorey, who is also the town’s building official.
Delorey said he is worried about damage to vehicles traveling over the rail, which is surrounded by pot holes and damaged road, and the possibility of injury or even “train derailment if this condition is not repaired.”
According to an email from Ted Krug, Pan Am Railways Chief Engineer of Design and Construction, the company is “willing to work with Wendell to replace the crossing,” next to the Millers River.
“We propose an exchange-of-services-type arrangement, where we would build a new track panel and install it, along with new rubber rail seal material, and the town would take care of the road closure, removal of existing pavement, and installation of new pavement,” Krug said.
“We have a track crew and a tamper currently working in the area, so we could perform this work with relatively short notice if the town is agreeable to this proposal,” he added.
However, Delorey said he has made calls to Pan Am since the fall, and has been repeatedly told the town should bear the cost of fixing the railing.
Without further assessment, it is unknown how much the repairs would cost, regardless of who pays, Delorey said, and fixing the damaged road surrounding the crossing is pointless until the repairs are made, as the road may have to be ripped up anyway.
According to Krug, the road, which is the main point of entry from Wendell into Orange, would have to be closed for two days for repairs.
Delorey said around two or three trains travel over the section each day.
The next step will be discussing the matter with the town’s highway department Highway Department, Delorey said, before further talks with Pan Am.
“It’s deplorable and dangerous,” Delorey said. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”