The original Brentwood residents put up with the railroad tracks from the get-go; the tracks were there first. The residents of the area got used to not waiting on trains or crossing junky tracks after the railroad pulled up stakes. Now that the railroad is back, residents want another entrance. Can't really blame them, because I hate waiting on trains. However, I don't see the city or county spending tax money on another entrance. The city has some downtown sidewalks to fix first, anyway.

Railroads have eminent domain authority almost like a government... thanks to some heavy lobbying efforts that probably took place over 100 yrs ago. The dangers these trains present to Brentwood are no different than the numerous trains that currently run down Main Street and through the heart of Victoria. If, God forbid, a train did derail, you can't tell me Brentwood residents would not do everything to get the heck out of there... including driving through someone else's property.

N45BA - I don't believe Mr. Long was whinning, merely stating how he feels about the situation. I too live in the Brentwood subdivision. It's a nice neighborhood, and I'm sure we will get used to the inconvienience and the noise of the railroad.

What disturbs me is the fact that these trains going through here, several times a day, 7 days a week, will sometimes be carrying dangerous cargos -- If the train happens to derail and these toxic chemicals are released into the air, and our only exit is blocked, over 200 families, including the elderly and very young, will be injured or even killed. I'm wondering if KCS or the County of Victoria has thought of that --- probably not because they figure that the chances of that happening are astronomical.... but it COULD happen....

In my opinion, I believe that the County and KCS should build an alternative entrance to not only the neighborhood, but to Stewart & Stevenson and Hardin Tubular. The expense should be divided between them and the County would be responsible for maintaining the road. (Extending Cambridge Street to Lonetree road.)

Your suggestion of moving isn't an option, and was, IMO, a stupid remark!

When I bought my home 8 years ago, no railroad existed.... Now, the value of my home has been substaintially reduced, except for the taxing entity of Victoria County.....

The families of Brentwood and the businesses along this stretch of road should have been given a voice in the matter, but we weren't and now we just have to "deal" with it.

If this had happened in your neighborhood, I'll bet you'd be complaining as loudly as we are.

How did the residents get out of the this neighborhood when the previous rail tracts were there? That railroad has been there for 100 years, a lot longer than the neighborhood. Seems the original developer didn't give that much thought and the county let it happen.