Move next to the tracks, complain about the noise

[Anonymous]

Deal with it !
Move if you dont like the trains running through your town at night.
Would you rather compromise saftey of people than get sleep by not blowing the horns of the locomotives.

[zardoz]

Quiet Zones Created In Cleveland Suburbs

Gov. Bob Taft signed a bill Wednesday to keep trains from honking their horns in some areas, NewsChannel5 reported.

The measure changes the current law that requires trains to blow their horns when crossing an intersection.

Current law requires all trains to blow their horn three times before crossing any public grade crossing. Under the new bill, trains will not be permitted to sound their horns when crossing an intersection at an established quiet zone.

Extra safety measures will be added to these quiet-zone crossings.

The bill affects the communities of Berea, Brook Park, Brooklyn, Middleburg Heights, North Ridgeville, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township and Strongsville.

State Rep. Tom Patton, R-Strongsville, introduced House Bill 247 in response to communities in his district that have experienced a dramatic increase in the noise heard from rail traffic in recent years.

Due to the merger of two major railroads, residents have seen the number of trains passing through their communities increase from an average of 23 per day to an average of 113 per day. Because of the increase in train traffic, there is an increase in noise.

The new quiet zone will take effect in 90 days.


http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ksat/20040818/lo_wews/2335965

[pat390]

If you move near the railroad tracks it will be loud that goes without saying, so you cant complain about something you brought on yourself, in most cases the railroad was there first

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Instead of horns on locomotives, the RRs could bolt cats (four attachment points included) to the engineer's side just in front of the window. Then all he/she has to do is crank the tail like and old air raid siren. MEOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!![}:)]

Paul Harvey said today that you can add 30 years to your life by following a few simple rules. One of them was own a cat. I didn't listen to the rest! Neener Neener!

Mook

[Randy Stahl]

After being on the scenes of many grade crossing collisions I have serious doubts as to the value of locomotive whistles anyhow. The modern cars are sound proof , the stereos are loud, and the A/C blower creates enough noise to cause the steroe tobo turned up even louder. The laws in most states still require a motorist to stop, look & listen at EVERY RR grade crossing. How many of us approach a RR crossing , turn the radio down , roll down a window and look and listen for a train unless flashing lights and bells tell us that one is coming. I sat at an accident scene watching cars go by , keep in mind the smashed vehicle was still scattered about, even with this reminder only a very few drivers reduced thier speed over the crossing. The only times I felt the the whistles had any value is to scatter tresspassers on the right of way, and sometimes someone walking down the middle of the tracks is still struck from behind and killed!!!
Randy

[dharmon]

Instead of horns on locomotives, the RRs could bolt cats (four attachment points included) to the engineer's side just in front of the window. Then all he/she has to do is crank the tail like and old air raid siren. MEOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!![}:)]

[Mookie]

DAN!

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie



Dan wants to do just terrible things to cats! Ergo, we gave him an allergy to deal with.

Sorry Mook, it should be:

Dan wants to do terrible things just to cats! Ergo, we gave him an allergy to deal with.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by drephpe

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by drephpe

Mookie--

People??? I thought he was a chicken!!!![}:)][swg]

Dharmon has been called many things, but never a chicken.

...

Drephpe - you can't use common sense in your thread without permission - that is Modelcar and mine! We have a committee of two trying to find common sense. However, you are welcome to join us and make it committee of three. And the one to find it first has to share it with the rest of the world!

Back to searching.

Mookie---

1. I'm talkin about the MUDchicken--who you talkin about????

2. It's a bigger committee than that. Looks like it includes at least Ed, MC, me, and a few others I see on here. Light your lamp, feline, here we come.[:p]

Dan is the one that is allergic to cats. MC has his own set of Mookies! Told you he wasn't allergic!

Dan wants to do just terrible things to cats! Ergo, we gave him an allergy to deal with.

Bring your own light - I see best in the dark.

The group exudes lots of common sense - but Modelcar and I are the only ones that have actually commented on it. Ergo, again, the committee.....

Mook

[Anonymous]

Research???? Homework???? What's THAT??????

You mean I might have to get up off of it and expend a little effort??? Doesn't that violate my rights???

[}:)]

[wt259]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cris Helt

Try doing a little research into the area you want to buy or build a house before signing on the dotted line. If you don't do your homework, be prepared for the consequences, and don't female dog about it to your congressman! [banghead]

Yeah, in Grand Rapids, a guy who'd lived under the main glidepath to the airport complained, after15 years that it was noisy living there and could they make the airliners use a different runway. D-oh!!!! Here's your sign. Same as the folks farther out who complain about the horns, maybe they should have spent a little time at the house before they borrowed the $250,000 and found out there was a rail line nearby.

[Anonymous]

MC--

I love it!!!![bow]

MudChicken Man. BokBokBokBokkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!

I know the feeling. Got these here wings strapped to my [derriere].

On a serious, but unrelated, note, I referred this guy from across the pond to you. I think you can better answer his question:

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19958

By the way, is the Zeppelin man still with BNSF engr? Or did he finally take a buyout?? Lost track of him.

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by drephpe

Mookie--

People??? I thought he was a chicken!!!![}:)][swg]

You darned right I'm chicken![:D][:D][:D]

NOBODY here but us chickens!!![(-D][(-D][(-D]

drephpe:

Civil tribe PE "E" person?

There is an "A" person near Canyoncito, NM (NE of Santa Fe) that built his house stradling Galisteo Creek on the upper end of Apache Canyon that runs about 2 feet below the floor. Every time the creek floods, all he has to do is open the front and back doors and throw a box of soap on the floor to clean it![(-D][(-D][(-D]

Kinda hard to get nailed down with these darned wheels strapped to my feet.[:D]

[Anonymous]

The problem is that a typical NIMBY always looks to someone else (read: the rest of us) to foot the bill. Don't believe me--just suggest something as simple as sewer improvements, installation of sidewalks, or conversion of a neighborhood from septic to sewers and watch them come unglued when they find out the price.

[cstaats]

How about grade separation and have the home owners foot the bill and there would be no need to blow the horns. They can sleep at night and the train crews would be safer too.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by drephpe

Mookie--

People??? I thought he was a chicken!!!![}:)][swg]

Dharmon has been called many things, but never a chicken.

...

Drephpe - you can't use common sense in your thread without permission - that is Modelcar and mine! We have a committee of two trying to find common sense. However, you are welcome to join us and make it committee of three. And the one to find it first has to share it with the rest of the world!

Back to searching.

Mookie---

1. I'm talkin about the MUDchicken--who you talkin about????

2. It's a bigger committee than that. Looks like it includes at least Ed, MC, me, and a few others I see on here. Light your lamp, feline, here we come.[:p]

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Hey Junction Fan,

I agree with ya! Now for some "wacko info".

Actually, trains don't "Honk" anymore (too bad![sigh]) Those were the WABCO E2 horns and the Leslie A200 horns. Today it's more of a FLAUUUUGGGGGGGHHHH!! from a K5, a MAWWWWWWW!! from a Leslie S5 and a BRILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! from the Canadian K5H. [:p][:0][8D]

I like the old honkers. Only place we usually see them now is on E units, F units, and GG1s on old TV movies and shows from the 40s and 50s.

CSX SD40-2 kind of makes a hhhhhhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh
CSX ex ConRail units make a eeeeeeAHHHHHHHHH
CSX new SD70M 4700 series makes a shrill sounding errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Alot of units have their own distinctive sound. The AC4400, SD80MAC and some of the SD60M. I often can tell the difference and guest correctly by hearing them in advance what is coming.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Hey AntiGates,-

It's not the locomotive so much as the horn that can be individualized for a railroad. Wear and tear are also factors in decible levels. Damaged or worn out horns are rebuilt or replaced on newer and older locomotives alike. But typically a K5LA horn on a CSX SD4-2 can sound exactly like a K5LA on a CSX GE Dash 9. Unless, for example, one of the units happens to be equipped with choke fittings to "muffle" it slightly. Then the horn's "character" would be altered.

I bring up the K5 because it is well known for being very LOUD and one of the most commonly heard horns today. It's been around since 1980. For those that don't know what a K5LA sounds like, just listen to an Amtrak Genesis diesel as the majority of them have this horn as did most of the F40s.

The Canadian K5H is another loud horn. I like the higher "trumpet like" sound that this horn emits as it's a nice contrast to the K5LA. Even the "Americanized" version still has this type of sound.

Check out http://atsf.railfan.net/airhorns

You can e-mail Matt Donnelly with horn questions. He really knows his stuff!

Thanks!

My curio is based upon the simple observation that the horns i hear everyday (now) border upon annoying, due to loudness, whereas, 30 years ago, they weren't quite that loud. Bear in mind that I'm talking about a half mile from the crossing, but if I played my home stereo to the volume that it could be heard outside at the same relative (local) volume as those half mile away locos, my neighbors would be calling the cops, sure as shootin'

Just as a qualifying referance, these trains never wake me up, as I am a "dead to the world" sound sleeper. And I often find irritation with those who are "light sleepers" who bring their grievances to me, as if *that* were my problem. Often I suspect these are the same neurotics who claim "a dripping faucet kept me awake all night". etc. Likely some of these types are laying in bed frustrated, unable to get to sleep anyway, and along comes a train, what a PERFECT whipping boy for their problems. So, I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the railroads in this instance.

But, by the same token, I wouldn't say the railroads hands are perfectly clean either, since the horns are noticeably louder these days.

[AntonioFP45]

Hey AntiGates,-

It's not the locomotive so much as the horn that can be individualized for a railroad. Wear and tear are also factors in decible levels. Damaged or worn out horns are rebuilt or replaced on newer and older locomotives alike. But typically a K5LA horn on a CSX SD4-2 can sound exactly like a K5LA on a CSX GE Dash 9. Unless, for example, one of the units happens to be equipped with choke fittings to "muffle" it slightly. Then the horn's "character" would be altered.

I bring up the K5 because it is well known for being very LOUD and one of the most commonly heard horns today. It's been around since 1980. For those that don't know what a K5LA sounds like, just listen to an Amtrak Genesis diesel as the majority of them have this horn as did most of the F40s.

The Canadian K5H is another loud horn. I like the higher "trumpet like" sound that this horn emits as it's a nice contrast to the K5LA. Even the "Americanized" version still has this type of sound.

Check out http://atsf.railfan.net/airhorns

You can e-mail Matt Donnelly with horn questions. He really knows his stuff!

[Mookie]

Drephpe - you can't use common sense in your thread without permission - that is Modelcar and mine! We have a committee of two trying to find common sense. However, you are welcome to join us and make it committee of three. And the one to find it first has to share it with the rest of the world!

Back to searching.

Moo

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by drephpe

Mookie--

People??? I thought he was a chicken!!!![}:)][swg]

Dharmon has been called many things, but never a chicken.

Our resident MC isn't allergic - he has been within claw distance of the Mookie and never sneezed once - was a little jumpy and a little pale, but no sneezes.

[}:)]

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates
[brOr are we preparing to round a cultural corner here where the railroads will think it better to simply install plasma arc cutters at every grade crossing, to simply cut through whatever "civilian" debris stands in their way at grade crossings?[8D]

DUDE!!! Now we are talking................sign me up for the RRs NOW![}:)]

You like that idea, Huh?....[:D] Maybe it would be more cost effective to simply put the plasma cutters on the front of each lead engine? Probably cut down on train on train collisions too, as long as you get the other guy before he gets you....[;)]

"How about a frinken laserbeam" (Dr.Evil-Austin Powers movies)

[Anonymous]

Does anybody have decible figures for the horn loudness on, say a current day box stock Dask 9 versus an SD 40 vintage engine? (when new)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates
[brOr are we preparing to round a cultural corner here where the railroads will think it better to simply install plasma arc cutters at every grade crossing, to simply cut through whatever "civilian" debris stands in their way at grade crossings?[8D]

DUDE!!! Now we are talking................sign me up for the RRs NOW![}:)]

You like that idea, Huh?....[:D] Maybe it would be more cost effective to simply put the plasma cutters on the front of each lead engine? Probably cut down on train on train collisions too, as long as you get the other guy before he gets you....[;)]

[Anonymous]

Now that's probably the most interesting description of a horn I've seen in a good while.

[AntonioFP45]

Hey Junction Fan,

I agree with ya! Now for some "wacko info".

Actually, trains don't "Honk" anymore (too bad![sigh]) Those were the WABCO E2 horns and the Leslie A200 horns. Today it's more of a FLAUUUUGGGGGGGHHHH!! from a K5, a MAWWWWWWW!! from a Leslie S5 and a BRILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! from the Canadian K5H. [:p][:0][8D]

I like the old honkers. Only place we usually see them now is on E units, F units, and GG1s on old TV movies and shows from the 40s and 50s.

[Junctionfan]

HONKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK HONKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Yeah its annoying but would you rather hear that or a car get smushed and maybe even flug into your house. What if that was your family and they didn't know a train was coming because of bad glare off the crossing signals or the gates were not operating properly. During the day, a good whistle keeps you alive and a good whistle during the night is good too because it makes sure that people know they are coming as they may think it might be a gate malfunction so driving around the "broken" gate won't matter.

Me personally if I was in a car as a passenger, I would rather hear HONKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK than "clear....(zap) clear.......(zap) time of death....)

[Anonymous]

Back to topic..........and all joking aside, as MC says, most of this problem is caused by builders and developers who are aided and abetted by municipal and county planning and zoning staffs, ALL OF WHOM SHOULD KNOW BETTER. But they do it consistently with RR lines, highways (think about all of the driveways they allow on what start out to be high speed thoroughfares), and airports--aah, Airports! Just what exactly do they think planes do when they take off and land?? And volume of traffic really shouldn't be a factor--those folks making the decisions are in the business of growth and they should understand that the economy doesn't move forward by shrinking.

And I wasn't kidding about floodplains a few posts ago. It's exactly the same ridiculous mindset. And it happens all the time, particularly with "scenic" creekbeds, rivers and flood control reservoirs. A good example (at one time I was involved in some academic research on this one): All you north-of-the-Red-River types need to understand that the desert land you see in westerns which purports to be TX is actually in CA. We have some of that, but a lot of the state is very fertile and green, because we get rain. Central TX gets about 36-42" a year and we are very efficient about it--it all comes down in about 45 minutes leaving sunshine for the rest of the year! The Colorado River (ours, not theirs)in central TX is thus a genuinely wild river at times and so LBJ, FDR etc. funded a series of big hydroelectric dams in the 30's, one of which at Lake Travis was the largest continuous pour concrete structure in the world until Hoover Dam came along, and the lake behind it was created for flood control purposes, with a lake behind it that's over 200' deep at normal water elevation. Its upper flood control pool (that's the part reserved to take the edge off a "weather incident") involves about 33' of vertical elevation and a gazillion acres. So what's happened?? They built big houses in the upper flood pool behind the dam and cities downstream and now they can't fill the lake up as it was designed in an emergency or open more than a couple of flood gates at a time (hardly enough in some 100-year + floods) without doing billions of dollars in damage! So what do they do? They try and mitigate the damage and cough up the money that these yokels demand as compensation for their stupidity. This is false economy and places an exceptional burden on taxpayers. And every locale has a similar story (people in LA who build mansions on hills, beach resorts and condos in the FL keys and the Outer Banks, etc.)

Apply the same logic to these folks that like to infringe on RRs, airports, highways, etc. Some of them (particularly the vocal ones) really honestly believe that "big rain" of traffic growth is never going to happen to them! And the cities let them get away with it.

There's no "closed-form" solution to this, and it's going to proliferate and worsen as long as we have an "entitlement" and "not my responsibility" mind set.

Whatever happened to common sense?

Some of the best advice I ever got from a fine gentleman mentor when I first started teaching at the University level was (1) don't be afraid to say "I don't know, but I'll find out" and (2) live on the edge--admit you're wrong when you are and take responsibility--it's a whole lot easier to clean up the damage and a whole lot more people win, including yourself. I have found that advice to be priceless.

If you buy a house by a RR line, it should be second nature that you ought to expect to have trains going by, and maybe more than went by today, come tomorrow.

Final case in point regarding the last few posts between me and the ferocious feline of NE. For those of you who don't know what that exchange was about, check a couple of strings up and you'll find out EdBlysard accidentally shot a nail through his shoe (lousy shot, by the way, he missed and hit nothing but shoe-no marksmanship medal for him!). And know what, if you read the string you'll find out it wasn't the nail gun' s fault, or his wife's or his daughters', or the dog's, or Mookie's (although that's a tempting target--let's talk, Ed). My kind of guy. We need more of that attitude. And, I'm glad he missed!

Life involves risks. Cope with it.

Off my soapbox[soapbox]

[Anonymous]

Mookie--

People??? I thought he was a chicken!!!![}:)][swg]