If You Don't Like Train Horns, Why Do You Live By The Tracks...?

[Mookie]

AMTK - he isn't going to give you the time of day or listen, either.  He has a wad stuck in his craw and you would be just talking to a wall, possibly a dangerous wall.  People like this don't want to hear the other side.  They have it set in their mind and don't want to listen to opposing arguments. 

Think about it!  And I still think your Dad did the best thing.  Don't waste your energy at the very least.

Mookie

[AMTK161]

Well now this is a different subject; I don't agree- Sorry to all of you who are against confrontation, but I do not agree.

A bully that is ignored or in other terms, permitted to get away with their behavior will do it to somebody else.

Bullying must be stopped- If somebody challenged me like the person who was; they had better have some sort of Tank, arsenal, or army backing there threats.

Standing on public property minding your own buisness never got anyone in any trouble, in my books.

To avoid confrontation, you should have told him... Okay, by the way the number is 9-1-1. Invite them to call the police. If your in the right, does it matter if the police are called anyway?

But allowing bullies to get away with bad behavior- Pretend he was standing in the cafeteria Line and he jsut got robbed of all his money- Same song, Same type of behavior.

Let's answer it the same way: Walk away and pretend nothing happened?

Not me, not ever.

Amen brother !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Agreed!

 

Ideally what I'd like to happen is we talk with this guy and explain that trains are going to blow there horns reguardless of whether I wave or not.

[Anonymous]

Gee Kevin,

Your reply makes you sound like a real bully. 

I say to the railroads "gee, if you don't like dealing with concerned nimbys, maybe you should move to a desert island and play choo choo there where no one will  be  bothered "

[chad thomas]

Well now this is a different subject; I don't agree- Sorry to all of you who are against confrontation, but I do not agree.

A bully that is ignored or in other terms, permitted to get away with their behavior will do it to somebody else.

Bullying must be stopped- If somebody challenged me like the person who was; they had better have some sort of Tank, arsenal, or army backing there threats.

Standing on public property minding your own buisness never got anyone in any trouble, in my books.

To avoid confrontation, you should have told him... Okay, by the way the number is 9-1-1. Invite them to call the police. If your in the right, does it matter if the police are called anyway?

But allowing bullies to get away with bad behavior- Pretend he was standing in the cafeteria Line and he jsut got robbed of all his money- Same song, Same type of behavior.

Let's answer it the same way: Walk away and pretend nothing happened?

Not me, not ever.

Amen brother !!!!!!!!!!!!

[AMTK161]

UP did have trains there at LaFox long before this guy moved in, they didn't have Metra.  Now they have how many ever inbounds and outbounds, one every hour accept for the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. when only one train travels in each direction.  Then you have rush hour.

 

If I were an engineer and I found out about this guy, I'd be sure to give him a few extra long blasts as I passed his house.      

[NightrainAFD1987]

I personally wouldn't want to live anywhere else, except alongside the train tracks to listen to the trains go by. Once time in my life, I have come to where if I didn't hear a train go by I couldn't sleep for the night. Of course when I was outdoors, I covered my ears when the trains went by, on my own personal perogative, to preserve my hearing, and comtinue on being a musician

Now days, I can hear the trains go by, but it's really not the same not feeling your house rumble, and not hearing the windows shake when the train goes by, Of course around here the trains are far and few between. CSX comes through but four times a day if that. But I still love listening to the chimes.

When I was living in Flagstaff AZ there was always discussions in the newspaper editorial by one individual saying that the train tracks should be moved to where the Interstate is located. Why? I thought the man was out of his mind, but every editorial, he would say the same thing. God Forbid the train tracks ran through town and an occasional idiot got killed by either, beating the train, reaching out to touch the train, or playing with the train. So what was this man's solution? Why of course...Run the tracks alongside I40, yeah! that would solve everyone's problems!

if only it were that wasy

*whoo! my first post!*

[solzrules]

If the railroad doesn't sound the horn and someone runs the crossing and gets killed, guess who gets sued?

If the railroad does sound the horn and someone thinks it is harassment guess who gets sued? 

What is the solution?

Ban frivilous lawsuits.  Everyone wins.  Even the morons that run the crossing. 

 

I live within a 5 minute walk of the Wisconsin Southern, and when they run trains through at night (3 A.M.) they sound the whistle.  This is on 10mph track.  I have never heard the engineer be ridiculous about it, but he always sounds a couple of blasts. 

When I bought my home I did so with the knowledge that there were train tracks nearby and that yes, at some point there may be a train on them.  Somehow I have managed to cope.  Something for all of the future homeowners and business owners:  if you locate next to a track the chances are pretty good that there will be a train on them someday, and they might even sound the horn.  Similarily, if you locate next to a freeway you may expect to hear cars and trucks driving by on it.  You may even be privy to the occasional crash and explosion.  (There maybe some swearing tossed in there for effect.)  If I am being sarcastic it is because I don't understand how people can move somewhere and throw a hissy fit because a pre-existing condition is still existing after they move in. 

[AMTK161]

Someone on another forum brought up a good point: this man in LaFox likely already has his mind made up.

 

Why am I bothering to give him the facts, he's going to think what he wants to think no matter what I or anyone else does.

[railfan619]

I Love hearing trains blowing their horns cause I know that railroads are still up and running across this great land. Heck if I lived next to railroad tracks everytime I'd hear a train comeing down the tracks I'd run out to the tracks and I would wave at the enginer just so he could blow his horn. I would not care if it was 3:30 in the morning. But anywho now if you were just sitting at a crossing watching trains go by and each and every time a train comes by. He blows his horn just to say hi or to let people know he's comin though. And if some blankty blank person comes up to you or me and if you have one more train blow his horn I will call the cops on you then all you say to mister. A-- H--- that it's Fra's call that trains blow their horns at all public crossings unless it's an quite zone but even then a train may still blow his horn if someone is on the tracks or trys to beat the train across the tracks.But anywho some people are turely stupid when it comes to rules of railroad safety.

[Anonymous]

I reside about 1/2 mile from the tracks, several trains at night. Phaise three of the subdividsion was just completed. From some of the back yards you could see the tract just past the back property line. These home owners have asked the railroad to hold down the horns, a four lane crossing is very near them. From the lack of sounds it appears the railroads are coorperating. I miss hearing them when I get up during the night. Phil

[Anonymous]

Well now this is a different subject; I don't agree- Sorry to all of you who are against confrontation, but I do not agree.

A bully that is ignored or in other terms, permitted to get away with their behavior will do it to somebody else.

Bullying must be stopped- If somebody challenged me like the person who was; they had better have some sort of Tank, arsenal, or army backing there threats.

Standing on public property minding your own buisness never got anyone in any trouble, in my books.

To avoid confrontation, you should have told him... Okay, by the way the number is 9-1-1. Invite them to call the police. If your in the right, does it matter if the police are called anyway?

But allowing bullies to get away with bad behavior- Pretend he was standing in the cafeteria Line and he jsut got robbed of all his money- Same song, Same type of behavior.

Let's answer it the same way: Walk away and pretend nothing happened?

Not me, not ever.

[Poppa_Zit]

yes i know a few who sat on the tracks waiting for one to come down hill around the curve. its known as suicide curve in dixon il. they were real heavy drinkers,in debt,ect.   the poor crew members that have to
 see this done by these selfish folks, its tough stuff.  i thought of  it once after my divorce an loss of job of 22 years ,but thats a permanent soulution to a temporary problem.  life turned out better than ever thank god!!!

Where exactly is "Suicide Curve" in Dixon? Is it a good photo location?

[chicagorails]

yes i know a few who sat on the tracks waiting for one to come down hill around the curve. its known as suicide curve in dixon il. they were real heavy drinkers,in debt,ect.   the poor crew members that have to
 see this done by these selfish folks, its tough stuff.  i thought of  it once after my divorce an loss of job of 22 years ,but thats a permanent soulution to a temporary problem.  life turned out better than ever thank god!!!

[Iowa Guy]

Unfortunately, it looks like that was a case of "suicide by train." I have not seen or heard any official follow-up to the matter in the local media (and probably won't), but that's what everyone was guessing that day. The crew saw the guy appear and lie down on the tracks as they approached about 5 a.m. Sunday. They hit the brakes immediately, but of course, could not stop in time. Apparently he made no attempt to get off the tracks. I suppose he could have been drunk, fallen and knocked himself out, but considering the train crew did not mention seeing him before he, in their words, "laid down on the tracks," it sounds like it was premeditated. Incident happened in an area where there are no crossings nearby -- in fact, the tracks are up on a pretty tall "bank" built by the railroad. You would either have to chug up the bank or walk the tracks for a ways to get to that spot.

What a sad case for all involved: The poor soul who felt that was the only thing he could do; his loved ones who have to deal with the aftermath of such a nasty death; and, let's not forget the poor train crew members who, as is often the case, could see it all unfolding and could do nothing about it. My heart goes out to them. The City of Ames, through its public access cable channel, has produced a very good program about railroad safety in Ames, and in the show they interview UP crew members who have been involved in incidents. Don't think for a second that it doesn't affect them. I know of one UP engineer who has been involved in several fatal incidents over the years.

The City of Ames has done a great job of improving crossing safety, including putting in concrete "islands" in the streets on either side of the crossings on the transcon line to prevent drivers from going around the crossing gates; and at one crossing with a particularly bad history they have even installed surveillance cameras. You can do a lot to prevent accidents and just plain stupidity, but if someone is bound and determined to kill themselves, they're going to find a way.

[chicagorails]

 right on mookie !!
 

[n012944]

My suggestion is to tell the guy who told you he would call the cops if you motioned to the engineers to blow their horns for you...TELL HIM TO GO GET _ _ _ _  ED.  With the new Metra station in LaFox this guy will likely be quick to get on Metra to Chicago in order to avoid the traffic (and believe me, it's terrible these days) and to avoid paying for the $3.19 per gallon gas.

 

I agree, while you might not want to swear at him, tell him to go ahead and call the cops.  IF the police come at all, as long as you weren't tresspassing( I assume you were in the post office parking lot) you would have nothing to worry about.

 

Bert

[n012944]

When I asked why the train crews were required to wear ear protection, I was being a little too sarcastic. While what any member of the public who lives or works near a crossing is not subjected to the abuse of the horns for a "duration" I would argue that at a minimum of 47,000 trains blowing for the crossing in 8 years, something could be said for "repetition."

 

If you are that worried about it, good quality ear plugs can be bought at most home improvement stores.

 

Bert

[AMTK161]

But when a train is approaching a crossing at 10MPH..there's no need to use the whistle post as a begiining mark- it'l take the train 5 minutes to get to the crossing; that is indeed stupid.

One track mind, et. al.

The 15L rule is: the whistle must be sounded from 1/4 mile from the crossing until the train occupies the crossing.  An engineer would be within his right (and would be legally correct) to sound the horn for the duration of the time it takes to cover that 1/4 mile.  And at 10 mph that would take 90 seconds!  So be thankful the engineers use the horn as little as they do.

 

While I think there is a rule stating that the horn must be used 1 quarter mile away from a grade crossing, I think that only applies to trains moving over 45 M.P.H.  Not positive, though.

[zardoz]

But when a train is approaching a crossing at 10MPH..there's no need to use the whistle post as a begiining mark- it'l take the train 5 minutes to get to the crossing; that is indeed stupid.

One track mind, et. al.

The 15L rule is: the whistle must be sounded from 1/4 mile from the crossing until the train occupies the crossing.  An engineer would be within his right (and would be legally correct) to sound the horn for the duration of the time it takes to cover that 1/4 mile.  And at 10 mph that would take 90 seconds!  So be thankful the engineers use the horn as little as they do.

[Mookie]

I still think you are all missing a good point.  A good share of you are old enough to have children or already do.  What the Dad did was the right thing.  He is setting a good example for his child.  You don't need to have a confrontation with everyone that crosses your path or gets in your face. 

And in this day and age, it is probably best you not have a confrontation.  You set standards by example.  So by walking away, he did the right thing.  Hopefully AMTK161 will learn from it. 

And if he/they had confronted the man, even trying to explain anything to him, do you really think it would have been anything more than a waste of time and energy? 

The resident was in the wrong for a veiled threat in the first place, but is that really the hill you want to die on?

M

[Anonymous]

Well- Believe it or not- I agree, in major part, with one track mind.

I think he's a pretty good guy- he summed up both sides of the argument in all of his posts, which really impresses me.

Imagine this picture: I have a crossing on my branch line, one located at mile 8.45, and one at 8.25.. They are seperated by .20 of a mile, or one fifth.

Now a passenger train station is located in between this station-  platfrom beginning at 8.35 and ending at 8.25- Soasyouguessed, the platform ends where the road begins, and there is a crossing at this road.

I'm nottalking exceptionally big roads traffic wise: were looking at two crossings that have such little traffic i'm amazed they are paved.

When the train is traveling fromwest to East... hitting crossing at mile 8.45 first, it does the regular whistle pattern.. but for the crossing at 8.25 it does an even better pattern: none.  Now rememebr, this crossing would never meet whistle exemption rules. Ever.  wonder why?

The train, depending on length must stop at the station.  Therefore, you could imagine that by the time it's getting ready to cross the crossing, itis most likely going less then 3 MPH, or is just reving up. Why whistle? A tad bit more break could easily stop an already almost stopped train from hitting anyhting at that crossing, PLUS some people wait right where the road ends and platform begins... it might be considered a bit rude to make them bleed from the ears due to a big blast of horn.

HOWEVER

Who was there first? Like One track mind said.. I wonder...

I am a gigantic advocate of making people pay with the whistle... Cross while the gates are down..you should expect to pay, loudly too.

A few extra shots forthe railfan, even an odd pattern.. sure thing.

But when a train is approaching a crossing at 10MPH..there's no need to use the whistle post as a begiining mark- it'l take the train 5 minutes to get to the crossing; that is indeed stupid.

[eastside]

You don't have to live near the tracks to hear airhorns.  I live in Manhattan, where the nearest ground-level track is across the river in NJ or Queens.  Instead, believe it or not, it's the garbage trucks that have them, and the drivers seem to think they can use them like brakes.  Why they need them is beyond me.  Hesitate after the light changes to green for a millisecond and you'll get a blast from the GT behind you.  They're so loud, they must have the same horns as diesel locomotives.  Of course, the garbage trucks have to go around collecting in the a.m. hours, so stopping the truck gives no relieve from the noise.  You hear a cacophony of banging garbage cans, noisy machinery, and swearing crews.  And there are lots of them tooling around.  Late at night, Manhattan is a symphony of airhorns.  I wear earplugs to sleep.  The other bad offenders, I've noticed, are Post Office trailer trucks.

[scjbcruz]

Yes, They were. The newly developing retirement communities are the ones complaining. Santa Fe's Phoenix line has been running in the area for over 70 years.

[pmsteamman]

I see both sides of this "debate". The jerk should have stayed in his house and kept his mouth shut (prob as loud as the horn huh?). But some engineers do not need to blow the horn as much as they do! I work for a shortline with only only 3 engineers and the people in town have told me they can tell which one is working (granted we use GP-9s so the horn can be feathered) just by the the amount of honking. Having worked for CSX for 6 years and living 60 feet from the same mainline I dont blow the horn as much as the other guys do. I have also been involved in 7 grade crossing accidents and the only question I was ever asked was "did you blow the horn" not how loud or how long just did you do it.

[gradyo54]

I live 2 miles from the Norfolk Southern tracks, I hear the trains all day and night. We have 2 crossings in Monticello and I love the sounds, also I have a tourist RR The Monticello Railroad Museum that runs behind my home, they honk all day on the summer weekends. I have only lived here a year and they tell me a steam train will be running here next summer!!!! I can't wait!

[eolafan]

My suggestion is to tell the guy who told you he would call the cops if you motioned to the engineers to blow their horns for you...TELL HIM TO GO GET _ _ _ _  ED.  With the new Metra station in LaFox this guy will likely be quick to get on Metra to Chicago in order to avoid the traffic (and believe me, it's terrible these days) and to avoid paying for the $3.19 per gallon gas.

[zugmann]

Wasting time with worthless legislation that only serves the needs and wishes of the loud minority.   I consider that wrong. 

Are train horns louder today than before?  Beats me.  I know that new horns blow at a constant all out loudness, with no ability to "feather" the sound.  Chalk that up to liability.

 Maybe loud horns are also due in part to the large number of new locomotives out there?

And yes, one track, you can move.  You chose to move there, and unlike many people, seemed to know something about railroads.  I have little sympathy for you - sorry.  Actually, I have NO symapthy for you.  And I am not sorry.

[AMTK161]

For those interested, the meeting has been changed to 17:45 on Friday night.  I have changed the orriginal posting to reflect this.

[AMTK161]

Cognative disinence??? Dadgum brother, I've only had a community college education so I had to look that one up! First off, you didn't spell either word correctly, but I found "cognitive dissonance" and it doesn't have anything to do with this topic. There is no conflict with the truth.

 

AMTK161 writes: Yes there is, see my below message.

 

One track mind continues:

"Why don't I just move?" Ah, the most predictable response. So what is your position in city government?

 

AMTK161 responds: it was just a suggestion.  Note that neather the user nor I ever told you that it was "required" of you to move.

 

 

One track mind continues:

 

You missed the main point. 8 years ago, the horns were not as LOUD as they are now. Granted I am no industry expert, but someone could surely enlighten us as to the theory presented a few years ago that if we only made the horns ridiculously LOUDER then we could slow down the rate of crossing fatalities.

I like the posts by The AnitGates, always a fresh perspective on things. I would say that he has a good point in our society.

 

Train horns haven't changed that much.  We've had the same horns - on UP that we did 8 years ago, with the likely reduction of the K5H, and RS5T (on some engines.  The horns in use on UP are the RS3L, the P3, the K3LA, and the K5HL and K5LLA (The FRA's new horns to REDUCE horn desible requirements or what not on the new GE's and EMD's respectively).