Willoughby_train.jpg

Via the Willoughby Police Department Facebook page comes this head-scratcher of a story. There’s a freight train blocking two of the town’s streets, and it could be there a while because its crew left work.

CSX reports they have train blocking Erie Rd & Pelton. Their crew has timed out on hours and unable to work any longer. They currently have no ETA on a replacement crew and will not be able to give any eta. It may be an extended period of time until the train is moved. Drivers are advised to use an alternate route. *** Do not drive around the gates***

Here’s a map of the where the train is currently sitting, without a crew, blocking two streets (note that the railroad tracks run parallel to, and just north of, Mentor Ave):

The most popular comment on the Facebook post: “can the WPD issue them a parking ticket?”

(h/t to Matt Skrajner of the News Herald for pointing it out on Twitter).

This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2014.

Doug Brown is a staff writer at Scene with a passion for public records laws and investigative reporting. A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., he has an M.A. in journalism from the Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a B.A. in political science from Hiram College. Prior to joining Scene, Doug was a contributing writer for Deadspin.com, reporting behind-the-scenes stories about college sports through public records and developing sources. Doug's work as an enterprise reporter for the Daily Kent Stater was recognized by the Cleveland Press Club (2013 Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards), Society of Professional Journalists (regional and national Mark of Excellence Awards), and the Associated Collegiate Press. He spent the summer of 2012 working for the Metro desk of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and spent previous summers working for Outside Bozeman Magazine and Crain's Detroit Business. His website is dougbrown8.com.