Neighbors say stopped train in Leeds is extremely inconvenient

LEEDS, Ala. (WBRC) - We’re continuing to learn more about a train derailment in Irondale that’s also affecting a neighborhood in Leeds. The train went off the tracks in a railyard in Irondale Friday morning.

Norfolk Southern says they had some cars derail inside a railyard overnight at Norris Yards. There’s no impact from those derailed cars outside of the yard, but while they work to clear the tracks inside that yard, crews had to stop a train in a Leeds neighborhood.

Police say the train has been there since about 3 a.m. People we spoke to Friday say it’s been a huge inconvenience.

“We don’t need this in our neighborhood. No one needs this in their neighborhood. We have elderly people,” said one Leeds resident named Sherrie Hodo.

Another resident says it becomes a problem for emergency and school buses.

“We’re asking that Norfolk Southern, please do something about this. We’ve tried, we tried and now we’ve gotten our city involved. And everybody we’re asking you to please give us a hand. Help us out. You know, if not for yourself, do it for our kids,” said Margaret Whiteside-Ousley.

Norfolk Southern is working to get the issue resolved, saying they never want to inconvenience a member of the community with a stopped train.

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