A Norfolk Southern Railway train continued to block Athens Street in downtown Lula for more than six hours Monday.

The train was carrying steel gas pipes, and some of its load was leaning off a car and had to be secured, said Connor Spielmaker, a railway spokesperson. A railway crew began repairs around 4 p.m., Spielmaker said, but train traffic caused further delays. 

The train was expected to be on the move by 7 p.m., Spielmaker said.

The train was blocking both Athens Street and 8th Street near their intersections with Main Street going toward Banks County. Workers noticed the issue and stopped in Lula late Monday morning, May 23.

City Manager Dennis Bergin said the train caused significant delays for tractor trailers, which were backed up more than a dozen vehicles deep on Ga. 51.