"Get them removed:" Some concerned about hundreds of railroad tankers sitting dormant in lot
MILWAUKEE -- There's growing concern on Milwaukee's north side about hundreds of seemingly dormant railroad tankers. Some believe they're filled with crude oil and could explode.
Rail yard near N. 35th and Marion
A press conference scheduled for Wednesday morning, July 6th will address some community concerns about the train storage yard located near N. 35th and Marion.
On July 6th, 2013, a train derailment involving tankers carrying crude oil claimed 47 lives in Quebec. That train passed through Milwaukee before it exploded.
Train derailment in Quebec
"This type of potential hazard is parked right in our neighborhood," said NAACP Milwaukee President Fred Royal.
Fred Royal
Royal fears a similar disaster could happen in the rail yard in Milwaukee.
"I was driving down the street and happened to see these rail cars located on top of two bridges," said Royal.
Royal is concerned about the estimated 300-plus tankers that have been idle in the yard for months. On Wednesday morning, he'll join representatives from 'Citizens Acting for Rail Safety' and 'Milwaukee Riverkeeper,' to try and get answers.
Royal isn't sure who owns the tankers.
Rail yard near N. 35th and Marion
Railroad officials tell FOX6 News the owner is "Wisconsin and Southern Railroad."
Royal says nearly all of the tankers are filled with oil that could not only explode, but could also seep into groundwater or the air.
Rail yard near N. 35th and Marion
"Crude oil. The claim is that it is residual crude oil that's being stored there because crude oil prices are low, currently," said Royal.
Wisconsin and Southern Railroad owns the yard and tankers. A company spokesman tells FOX6:
"These tanker cars have absolutely nothing in them and are empty. It's important to know that our company does not haul any crude oil whatsoever."
FOX6 News asked several residents living in the area if they're concerned. Some said they never even noticed the tankers, or never gave it much thought.
Rail yard near N. 35th and Marion
Even parents picking up their kids at the daycare across the street didn't seem worried.
Royal said he thinks Wednesday's press conference and the anniversary of the Quebec disaster, will draw attention to potential problems.
"The ultimate goal is to get them removed," said Royal.
The dangers of crude oil trains have been the focus of several FOX6 investigations.
Rail yard near N. 35th and Marion
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