The Bywater train has become the ire of New Orleans locals. Why does it always go backward?

The trains that cut through the heart of the Bywater in New Orleans have ignited hundreds of complaints over the years from residents anguished by the relentless noise, recurrent delays and constant disruption of daily life.

Owned and operated by Norfolk Southern , the freight rail and the trains that pass along it frequently disrupt traffic on St. Claude and Homer Plessy Way, highly traveled areas in the historic neighborhood.

Sometimes, a train can block roads for over half an hour, according to John Guarnieri, Bywater resident and president of the neighborhood association.

And often — just when drivers think the train is almost done crossing — the strand of multi-colored boxcars jolts backwards, reversing course and extending their delay.

The frequent back and forth movement occur