I have always lived near them. I have even built a house on old roadbed ( cant get much closer but I think you meant LIVE tracks lol) Right now I am about 1/4 mile from our mainline to Savanna/Marquette.
If in the market I would live a little closer as it doesnt bother me.I might not want to live near a yard ( most yards are in industrial areas anyway and lets be honest not a very desirable location for a home) but near a main line doesnt bother me. Having grown up close to a railroad I can sleep when a train rolls by as its natural to me.
Yes we are on time but this is yesterdays train
I would probably go into the market for a vacant lot, and build my own house - preferably on a slight rise overlooking the busiest rail junction/classification yard I could get next to.
Between berming, multi-layer sound-attenuating wall and roof construction and good interior accoustics, it would be possible to hold a conversation in whispers while a multi-unit diesel was leaning into its loaded unit train 25 meters away.
The best part is that, since no one else really wants to be that close to the action, the land could probably be had at considerably less than the average price for a similar parcel in a quieter area.
Of course, if the house was a typical thin-wall wood frame tract house, you'd have to pay ME to take it off your hands...
Chuck (sometimes amateur architect)
I live roughly 200 feet from a short line. In fact, I write this, there is train coming from the North. The way I know is because of the crossings and the horns.
Will
Boyd Say you were in the market to buy a house and a railfan. Would you buy a house right next to the tracks,, or want to be 1 block away or 1/2 mile away. I'm sure a busy yard might not be a good place to live near if you are a light sleeper.
Say you were in the market to buy a house and a railfan. Would you buy a house right next to the tracks,, or want to be 1 block away or 1/2 mile away. I'm sure a busy yard might not be a good place to live near if you are a light sleeper.
Dan
Me and my wife just bought a house about a 1/4 mile away from a crossing,we both dont mind the horns(i kinda like them)This summer with the windows open will be the true test.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
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