Without the railroad, Fort Payne would not have become a boom town. Although critically important to the nationâs supply chain, trains have become more of a disruption to traffic flow in 2021.
A few Saturdays ago, one train disconnected from the cars it was pulling in at least two places, blocking every crossing in Fort Payne between 20th Street NE and 22nd Street SE. Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine said he knew there was a problem when he heard the train slow to a stop from his home. This raised alarm among some speculating on Facebook that such a blockage might cost someoneâs life if an ambulance is unable to cross in a scenario where seconds count. Furthermore, four of the cityâs schools are located on the east side of the railway.