Cloverdale continues to chase light at the end of the tunnel with CSX

After years of discussions with CSX, Cloverdale Town Board President Brandon Tancak can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the railway saga with CSX. 

A little over a year ago, the Cloverdale Town Council heard from a resident, who asked about removing abandoned railroad tracks that cross through Robert Weist Avenue. Over the years, CSX has removed a portion of the line that runs through Cloverdale, but there are still pieces that remain that Tancak wants addressed. 

"Even though they were cut up into sections and not in use and never will be again for rail service, CSX is still considering them "active" railways. I don't know the exact number of years it has not been in use, but it has been a very long time since we have had any trains run through the town of Cloverdale. We had started a conversation with CSX well over a year ago about acquiring the rail that runs through town and it continues," Tancak told The Putnam County Post. 

What would Tancak like to see happen with the railway?

"I want a trail for running, walking and biking that will connect C Bar C Expo Center to downtown Cloverdale. It will help further connect that arena to businesses in town. Plus, it will give families another reason to choose Cloverdale as their home," he said. 

There could be some light at the end of the tunnel, as Tancak acknowledged C Bar C gave town leaders an offer letter to purchase the southern portion of railway, which encompasses about seven acres. 

"We are in the negotiation process for that southern area of rail. We are still working on the northern portion, which goes from Burma Road to Stardust Road. We have also applied for a grant to help with this cost. It is very fluid, but it is taking a lot of time. More importantly, the railroad crossing at Burma is in really bad shape, and our first responders are telling me about it. One firefighter told me when they go over those tracks, they are holding on for dear life because it just rattles their vehicles. We are working on it, and, hopefully, sometime this year, we can come to a purchase agreement and in the near future, we can see some progress," Tancak said. 

Through it all, Tancak maintains persistence from him and fellow town leaders will pay off. 

"I do see a light at the end of the tunnel that I believe will be beneficial for the town of Cloverdale, but it will take time. Where the rail line stops at Stardust Road and goes north, there's still active tracks and we want to leave those there. That could be a game changer for someone who wants to bring a business that needs rail to transport goods. From Stardust Road to the South, there will never be a train to come through as there are missing portions. Let us do some good with that area," Tancak said.