MARYSVILLE, Pa. -- The whistle was blown on Amtrak's Broadway Limited because the train exceeded a 20 mph speed limit while passing through Marysville in south-central Pennsylvania, authorities said Wednesday.
The Broadway Limited was electronically timed June 25 at 45 mph in a zone where trains are restricted by a borough ordinance because tracks are within 75 feet of homes, authorities said.
A district justice mailed the citation Tuesday to Amtrak's headquarters in Washington, D.C. The violation is punishable by a maximum fine of $300 or 90 days in jail.
'We were a little surprised' upon learning of the citation, Amtrak spokesman John Jacobsen said. 'We haven't seen the citation. Obviously, we're going to look into it.'
Jacobsen said Amtrak trains have been ticketed before,'but I don't know how often.'
Marysville Solicitor William Dissinger said the borough adopted the speeding ordinance in December because residents living nearing tracks were worried about accidents.
In some areas of town, train tracks are as close as 20 feet to residences, Dissinger said. He added it would be impossible to get fire and rescue vehicles to some homes in case of a wreck.
'We don't feel it's an undue restraint' on the railroads, Dissinger said. 'It's a local safety matter.'
Jacobsen said he is not sure the borough has authority to regulate train speeds, which are generally set by railroads in compliance with federal guidelines.
Conrail, which owns and also operates on the tracks, has notified the borough it believes the ordinance is unconstitutional because it restricts interstate trade.
Dissinger said the borough considered going through the state Public Utility Commission and the Federal Rail Administration to keep train speeds down, but 'We like to deal with our own problems.'
He said if Amtrak fights the citation and wins, the borough will take the case to civil court.
'I'd certainly prefer it if these people would voluntarily comply with the ordinance like good citizens,' Dissinger said.
