In the past year, the railroad officials say they have responded to complaints by cutting the amount of coal used for fueling trains, improving engine maintenance and running fewer locomotives. The company runs four trains a day during the week and three a day on the weekends. McCall said train officials are researching new filtering systems and ways to run the train more efficiently. He said the trains undergo regular maintenance work. Yet, south Durango residents have said this is not enough.
Residents complain the train keeps belching out smoke clouds, covering houses and people in soot.
And trains kept idling at the roundhouse through the night never stop puffing, said Heather Snow, spokeswoman for the neighborhood association. If granted, the EPA could announce the award by the end of summer, and the group could receive the money in the fall, Snow said. It would be the first group effort to monitor air pollution in Durango, she said. Snow has even threatened legal action if smoke and soot problems persist. But residents are trying communication with the train company.