PROSPERITY, SC (WOLO) — Around 600 people in the Town of Prosperity were without power Friday night and most of Saturday after Town officials say an abandoned CSX train car kept Duke Energy crews from working on a downed power line. A tree that fell during the winter storm damaged the powerline off of CR Koon Highway in Newberry County late Friday. According to the Town of Prosperity’s Facebook page, Duke Energy Linemen were unable to access the line because of the unused train car blocking their path, posting the following: “Duke Energy and The Town of Prosperity are impatiently waiting for CSX Railroad to come move the train car.  This is absolutely out of control.  Duke and Prosperity utilities are on-site still waiting for train to move so power can be restored.  The ETA established by CSX is overdue.  Duke and Town are both exhausting all means to restore power.  Patience is thin on all fronts and we do appreciate all extended.” At one point as temperatures dipped below freezing, Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster posted on Facebook saying “The railroads of this country basically answer to no one.  Because the railroads were critical to building out and expand this great and vast country and they were built by the powerful Robber Barons, the government gave them great leeway and privilege.  Then the railroads became vital to national security and commerce, making them even more powerful.  Basically they answer to no one, except themselves.  It is history.  Unfortunately we have people suffering from the cold and businesses missing their revenue.  The Town is at the mercy of the railroad.  Our local state representatives have little leverage.  Let us hope and pray that the railroads will come soon to help in restoring power to our little community.” According to further social media posts, crews were able to use special equipment to reach the line and restore power Saturday afternoon. In an email to ABC Columbia News Sheriff Foster said Sunday afternoon, “This was an highly unusual situation, the perfect storm if you will. Tree down, train blocking a path to repair, a transformer failure. The Town and Duke Energy did well to overcome the impediments, but for CSX to not respond is just unconscionable since this community has supported that line since it was the CN&L. I am proud of my hometown people for their patience and enduring the cold and discomfort.” ABC Columbia News reached out to CSX for comment and received the following: “CSX strives to be a good neighbor, and we work hard to minimize the impact of freight rail operations on the communities we serve. The railcars were secured in the sidetrack as part of normal operating procedures. We apologize to the Town of Prosperity for any inconvenience caused to the local community and appreciate the public’s patience as crews worked as quickly and safely as possible to provide access to the crossing.” Categories: Local News, News Tags: CSX, Duke Energy, Lee Foster, Prosperity