Blocked Train Crossings Frustrate Indiana Residents with No Legal Recourse

A recent court ruling has stripped local authorities of the ability to fine or move stopped trains, leaving residents with few options to address persistent crossing blockages.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:27am

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A cinematic painting of a solitary railroad crossing in a small Midwestern town, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of quiet contemplation around the empty intersection.As Indiana communities grapple with the impacts of unregulated railroad crossings, the quiet frustration of residents echoes through the stillness of an empty intersection.Fort Wayne Today

Residents in Fort Wayne and New Haven, Indiana have been increasingly frustrated by trains blocking railroad crossings for hours at a time, with one resident reporting five trains stuck on the tracks in a single week. However, a 2018 state Supreme Court ruling found that Indiana's law prohibiting trains from obstructing crossings for more than 10 minutes was preempted by federal law, stripping local authorities of the ability to enforce the statute or fine railroad companies. With no legal recourse, frustrated residents and emergency responders are left to navigate the blocked crossings, while railroad companies remain largely deregulated at the local level.

Why it matters

Blocked railroad crossings can have serious impacts on public safety, causing delays for emergency vehicles and preventing residents from accessing their homes, jobs, and other essential services. The lack of local enforcement mechanisms means railroad companies face little incentive to address the issue, even as it disrupts entire communities on a regular basis.

The details

In the past 30 days, Indiana has reported 99 blocked railroad crossings, tied for the 6th-most among all states. One resident, David Miller, reported that trains have been stopping at a crossing near South Anthony Boulevard and Hayden Street in Fort Wayne for up to four hours at a time, with five trains blocked on the tracks in a single week. However, a 2018 state Supreme Court ruling found that Indiana's law prohibiting trains from obstructing crossings for more than 10 minutes was preempted by the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995, stripping local authorities of the ability to enforce the statute or fine railroad companies.

  • In the past 30 days, Indiana has reported 99 blocked railroad crossings.
  • In 2018, the Indiana State Supreme Court ruled that the state's law prohibiting trains from obstructing crossings for more than 10 minutes was preempted by federal law.

The players

David Miller

A Fort Wayne resident who has reported multiple instances of trains blocking a railroad crossing near South Anthony Boulevard and Hayden Street for hours at a time.

Ken Litzenberg

Allen County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer, who confirmed that local authorities can no longer enforce laws against blocked railroad crossings.

Britni Eisenmann

Executive Director of Railtowns United, an organization that seeks to unite towns and cities built along railroad lines to address infrastructure issues.

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What they’re saying

“There's a train stopped there for four hours. I'm stuck there. They had five trains stuck on that track this week.”

— David Miller, Resident

“Unfortunately, no, we no longer can. We are not actually allowed to enforce the statutes that we used to be able to until then, when they block the tracks.”

— Ken Litzenberg, Allen County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer

“Most people assume this is a behavior problem by the railroad. In reality, it's an infrastructure problem we built into our towns over decades. We designed communities where one crossing serves an entire neighborhood, or where homes, schools, and emergency routes all depend on getting across a single track. When a train stops, the whole system fails, and that's not something fines fix.”

— Britni Eisenmann, Railtowns United Executive Director

What’s next

Residents frustrated by blocked railroad crossings can report the issue to the Federal Railroad Administration through their website or by calling 1-800-946-4744 and providing the crossing number. Railtowns United also encourages residents to work directly with railroad companies to find collaborative solutions, rather than immediately turning to regulators or social media.

The takeaway

The 2018 court ruling that preempted Indiana's law against blocked railroad crossings has left local communities with few options to address a persistent infrastructure issue that can have serious public safety and economic impacts. Residents and officials must now rely on federal oversight and cooperation with railroad companies to find solutions, highlighting the need for greater local control and enforcement mechanisms to protect communities built around railroad lines.