Train horn complaints

[wil]

Just wondering if anyone has any insights on who to complain to about train horns. I recently moved knowing full well how close to the tracks we were. However all the crossings near us have a no train horn sign posted but they come through at all times of night on the horn like they are about to plow into a bus full of kids and old people. We are in the city so was just wondering if there is anything to be done about it.

I've never heard of a crossing with a 'no horn' sign, although I won't say that doesn't exist. FRA regulations specify a specific sounding of the train horn at a crossing, number of soundings and duration. That is a requirement specifically called out in FRA regulations and an engineer can get disciplined for failure to do so. It might be your crossing is posted as a 'no horn' crossing and the engineers are not aware of it, hence they hit the horn per regulations not knowing they don't have to.
I'd check your crossing & see if there is such a sign, if so what RR operates on that line of track? BNSF or UP? If it's a yellow & blue locomotive, PM me with the EXACT location of the crossing & I might be able to be of some assistance.

[android]

This will tell you everything you need to know about quiet zones http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0104" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Keith,

I looked this up and it shows Austin as a "New" quiet zone on the "UP" line I assume. I have no idea what this info means.

Union Pacific (UP) is the big railroad that runs N/S through Austin including the stretch up the middle of Mopac loop 1.

The commuter rail and local line run on the small tracks that go from downtown to Burnet.
In general, it means they won't blow the horns at any crossing that has gates that go down or at private crossings. (which they don't usually do anyway.)

[Greybeard]

Quote: "FRA regulations specify a specific sounding of the train horn at a crossing, number of soundings and duration. That is a requirement specifically called out in FRA regulations and an engineer can get disciplined for failure to do so."

We were made aware of such way back in grade school. IIRC, when approaching a crossing, the blasts are Long, Long, Short, Long.
And yep, I am pretty sure even the little Town of Copper Canyon next to our range was able to pull off getting some "quiet zones". But it takes a long time (and someone to pay for it) to get the flashing drop down arms deal done.

[jimlongley]

the blasts are Long, Long, Short, Long.

A Morse Code 'Q' although in the set of signals it is not meant to be, it's just one of many. As in any other code there are multiple signals and meanings.

[SigM4]

Maybe I can shed some light on the issue (I may or may not work for one of the Class 1 RRs). In any case, the signs you're seeing are most likely indicating that the crossing(s) are indeed quite zones. They're meant to alert drivers that trains traveling through the cross may not be blowing their horn. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that the train won't blow the crossing, just that they might not and to be alert for oncoming trains. The reason for this is that even at a "quite zone" crossing, if the engineer feels that there is a need for to blow the horn, he's required to. Say someone is creeping a little too close to the tracks at the crossing or there is someone walking along the tracks, at that point he's required to blow the horn. FRA regulations dictate a long-long-short-long signal pattern to last no less than 14 seconds, and to be held until the lead engine is completely through the crossing. When you're in an urban area with many crossings spaced fairly close it further complicates matters as it ends up sounding like the train is blasting the horn forever.

As for quite zones themselves, they're very cost prohibitive to put in place as the municipality usually ends up shouldering most of the cost for them. This is because to get an FRA sign-off on the quite zone, the city has to agree to taking on the liability for any incidents that result from the increased exposure. Also, the crossing itself has to be upgraded to meet FRA regulations. This includes barrier arms on both both the inbound and outbound lanes to completely block ingress into the crossing. Also, barriers between the opposing lanes have to extend back from the crossing a certain distance (based on traffic volume, speed, etc) to keep people from trying to go around the line in the opposing lanes.

If it's a yellow & blue locomotive, PM me with the EXACT location of the crossing & I might be able to be of some assistance.

To this end, there should be a silver building/shed (signal bungalow) very near the crossing. Stenciled on this facing the street should be the RR contact info along with a DOT # and a railroad milepost (MP) number. You can use this when referencing the issue should you decide to contact the railroad.

Hope this helps you and was informative for others.

[randomizzer]

The city of Sugar Land implemented this several years ago.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas ... 762023.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[uthornsfan]

Awesome info guys.

Not all crossings in the area are marked quiet zone but the east 7th street one def is. It has all the fancy bells and whistles as well.

We are getting sound deadining window inserts and curtains that should help as well.

[Dragonfighter]

I've lived in my current house for five years and am still not use to the rooster on the other side of the tree line. God help him if I ever get a good shot lined up.

And anyone who thinks they only crow in the morning is mistaken...

Yep, there is about 15 minutes a day that they do NOT crow. I was on a mission in Guyana and we worked from dawn to late in the evening holding studies and revivals. The hotel I was staying at in New Amsterdam, there was a guy with a small courtyard in front of his house virtually outside my window; that had chickens and one very obnoxious rooster. I had one night left and was determined to get a good night's sleep. I offered $20 American and he gladly gave me the rooster and a couple of hens as well. The hotel was happy to clean and serve the chickens for dinner and I slept like a baby that night.