Story Photos
 Trains blast their horns for safety reasons when approaching Kelso's two public crossings, but nearby residents are pleading for silence. Roger Werth / The Daily News
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Kelso considering options for railroad 'quiet zone'
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 11:37 PM PDT
By Amy M.E. Fischer
Printable version
E-mail this articleEven without his hearing aid, South Kelso resident Howard Monroe can hear the train horns just fine. In fact, the noise is enough to drive Monroe, 83, into the house when he’s outside chopping wood or remodeling the garage.
Monroe, a former soldier who’s suffered from post-traumatic stress since he was held prisoner by the Germans in World War II, said he’s been complaining to Kelso city officials about the train horns for years.
If anything, the noise problem has gotten worse, he said. Burlington Northern Santa Fe runs an average of 60 trains through Kelso in a 24-hour period, according to BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas.
“I’ve counted five or six horns in a mere 10 minutes. They blast ‘em — they don’t blow their horns. They’ve got a lead foot and just blast and blast,” said Monroe, who lives in the 900 block of South Fourth Avenue. “They’ll start blowing down on Maple Street and do almost a continuous blast down past Yew Street. It just drives me up the wall.”
Now, in response to citizens’ complaints, the City Council has asked city staff to explore how to make Kelso a train “quiet zone.”
“We’re just trying to make it as livable and as nice as possible, but we won’t sacrifice safety,” City Manager Paul Brachvogel said Monday.
The Federal Railroad Administration issued a “Train Horn Rule” in 2005, requiring locomotives to blow horns for 15 to 20 seconds before entering a public crossing. Previously, each state set its own laws regarding train horns.
Under the Train Horn Rule, local jurisdictions may create a quiet zone by showing that the lack of a horn does not pose a significant safety risk. Quiet zones also require upgraded crossing signals or installation of a stationary wayside whistle at the crossing, which would still blow but would affect a smaller area than a moving train’s horn.
A crossing signal upgrade would require full crossing arms on both sides of the tracks that motorists can’t drive around. The crossing arms would be activated by automatic sensors on the tracks.
According to Kelso Community Development Director Mike Kerins, the city now has single-arm crossings, and only one of the three tracks activates them. Upgrading Kelso’s two crossings at Yew and Mill streets is challenging because the tracks are on the dike, and the approaches aren’t flat and straight, he said.
Kerins expects to get cost estimates for both options later this week, and then the City Council can decide whether quiet zones are worth pursuing with the railroad company, he said.
The process also involves coordinating with several agencies to ensure a quiet zone is suitable for Kelso, where four people have been fatally hit by trains in the last 10 years.
“It may be that the solution is not going to fit within our budget. We don’t know,” Brachvogel said.
Kelso residents aren’t the only ones bothered by the train horns. Kyle Sawyer, who lives across the river off Westside Highway, says the horns wake him up at night, even though he closes the windows. He’s called Kelso and Cowlitz County officials to complain, but no one’s called him back, said Sawyer, 45.
He and his wife can’t afford to move, “so we’re basically stuck,” Sawyer said Wednesday.
Longview resident John VanDerWerff is so frustrated by the horns, he sent a letter to county commissioners and to Olympia legislators.
“They all ignored it. ... I guess the Washingtonians are used to that blasting of the horns in the middle of the night,” said VanDerWerff, 68, who moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Nevada Drive in 2005. “The first year, it wasn’t bad at all. In fact, it sounded kind of cute. You’re in the country, you hear a whistle blow in the distance.”
Now, he said, “My wife and I, we’re ready to move out. ... I think it’s ridiculous. At night they go berserko, they lay on these horns at one o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock. ... It’s outrageous.”
Kelso Gringo wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:01 AM:
" The trains are loud, and a little annoying, but it is a safety issue. Wasnt there a death earlier this year from a train hitting an automobile? "
columbian wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:30 AM:
" This is like catch 21.what can you do about it? Everday I have a young person pull along side me at a stop sign.With sounds louder than a train.Fire works,dogs at night,we live with sounds all day.GRINGO NO WAY OUT. "
beachbum wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:56 AM:
" I grew up in West Kelso and now live in South Kelso. I only lived a half a block from the tracks in West Kelso, so I know what it is like to be right near the crossing and hearing the whistle blow. We had three crossings those whistles blew through. Honestly, those trains lul me to sleep at night. I have lived around them my entire life and if I go out of town, I actually have trouble sleeping because I don't hear the trains. "
Woodchuck wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:20 AM:
" I agree with you Gringo - it IS a safety issue, however, I have heard different trains go by (we live in the 1100 block of S. 3rd) and some still blow their horn but do it far more quietly than others. Personally, I think that there should be some middle of the road. People need to be responsible around the tracks! "
Zucchini wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:47 AM:
" I have lived near a crossing for over four years now, and although the trains was actually a fact that drew us to our location, it is funny to be aware of the different lengths the engineers blow their horns. Believe it or not, in my location, the night ones last much longer. It has become a joke in my household that "if they can't sleep, they don't want us to either"... There are definately what I would describe a signatures to their horn blowing... Dina won't you blow? "
nimby wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:30 AM:
" If you eliminate the intersection @ Cowlitz Gardens you'd have no whistles in North Kelso. "
KelsoLesbian wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:33 AM:
" My partner and I live on the train tracks... the burlington northern ones are the loudest. The don't blow their horn one time, the do it 2 or 3 or 4 times. "
concerned wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:37 AM:
" I really agree that there are far too many trains blowing their horns and whistles at all hours of the day and night. I hope the city of Kelso is able to do something for the sake of the people in hearing range of the trains. "
imlovinit wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:48 AM:
" We really enjoy the sound of the trains, and think it's interesting how the sound carries differently depending on the weather or humidity. I can't believe how loud they sometimes are, & we're two miles away from the railroad as the crow flies! Can't imagine how it would be to live right next to it. "
Beavis Carries a .45 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:54 AM:
" So John, you live on Nevada Drive and you are ready to move because of the horns. That's funny. They can't be that loud there. Switch places for a few days and nights with Howard down there in south Kelso. Then you'll see how bad Howard has it, and how good you have it. If little things like horns blowing aggitate you that much to have to move, then man, I feel sorry for you and your family. Have a nice day. Wooooooo wooooooo!!! "
skeezix wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:28 AM:
" Interesting posts... Now I will sit back and wait for the posts of "Why was there no whistle or horn!?!" after someone gets hit by a train. Just seems to be the way things are in Kelso. Complain because the horns are too loud...bound to complain if someone gets killed because there were no horns. This ought to fun to watch develop.... "
Former Resident wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:32 AM:
" Here's a thought...if you didn't want to listen to train horns, perhaps you shouldn't have bought a house within earshot of the TRAIN TRACKS. I think the trains are perfectly justified in blowing their horns. People need to just suck it up and realize they made a mistake when they moved in. "
really wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:34 AM:
" I suspect the horns and trains wouldn't bother people if their child didn't hear/see a train and got hit by one. "
Nunesy wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:50 AM:
" What was there first, the trains or the houses? This reminds me of people who built their house next to an airport that had been there for many years and then complained about the airplane noise. "
skeezix wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:53 AM:
" Former Resident... I couldn't have said it better myself. I live in Portland now and down here, people buy homes near the airport and then complain that there are planes flying overhead. Good grief. Then there are those who buy a house in a flood plain and complain about it when we have a really wet season and they get water in their basements. I guess some just refuse to hold themselves accountable for their decisions. "
reasonable1 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:07 AM:
" Just a thought which came first, the residents or the train tracks?
Presumably, everyone using the Interent to complain here also has access to search tools that would explain to them what conductors are required BY LAW to do to warn of their approaching a level crossing.
I once considered renting an apartment less than a block from a train crossing. I asked another renter if trains bothered her. Trains? Shed never noticed them, so I thought maybe the line wasnt used. After moving in, I learned it was, indeed, quite active. It didnt take me long to get used to the sound and to recognize patterns (day/night, etc.) of how different conductors chose to implement the requirements. The only inconvenience I felt was that if I was on the phone, I had to stop talking during the whistle. I was also within a mile of an international airport close enough to count the windows on landing aircraft. That, too, is something we can get used to if we choose to. I loved the apartment. I came to love the ambient noises even to set my watch by the trains or determine wind direction by aircrafts landing and takeoff patterns.
I commend Kelso for doing its homework and researching ways to reduce unnecessary noise, but as many others here have said, safety must come first, and so (IMO) no train whistle is unnecessary. "
Presumably, everyone using the Interent to complain here also has access to search tools that would explain to them what conductors are required BY LAW to do to warn of their approaching a level crossing.
I once considered renting an apartment less than a block from a train crossing. I asked another renter if trains bothered her. Trains? Shed never noticed them, so I thought maybe the line wasnt used. After moving in, I learned it was, indeed, quite active. It didnt take me long to get used to the sound and to recognize patterns (day/night, etc.) of how different conductors chose to implement the requirements. The only inconvenience I felt was that if I was on the phone, I had to stop talking during the whistle. I was also within a mile of an international airport close enough to count the windows on landing aircraft. That, too, is something we can get used to if we choose to. I loved the apartment. I came to love the ambient noises even to set my watch by the trains or determine wind direction by aircrafts landing and takeoff patterns.
I commend Kelso for doing its homework and researching ways to reduce unnecessary noise, but as many others here have said, safety must come first, and so (IMO) no train whistle is unnecessary. "
reasonable1 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:11 AM:
" A really clear explanation of the rules...
http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/PubAffairs/TRAIN_HORN_RULE_FactSheet.pdf "
http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/PubAffairs/TRAIN_HORN_RULE_FactSheet.pdf "
Beer&Skittles wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:13 AM:
" I too grew up with trains very close..In fact, the tracks were 12' off the back of our house. We were about 800' from a station stop on one side, where they blow the horns to announce their coming into station, and on the other side there was a crossing, also necessitating the whistles. I used to know what all the different whistles meant, but I've forgotten most now, although I occasionally hear one I clearly recognize. One poster commented on different styles of blowing the whistles. That's always been the case - you're not imagining it. I loved the train whistles, and have lived closer than most ever will. It's all a matter of perspective. If you constantly focus on the notion that you hate something, you most certainly will, and the issue will grow and become unbearable. However, if you focus on some other element of it, that will start to focus more and you'll begin to not feel so bothered by it. It's unfortunate that so many people have let it get to them. The only one with an excuse though, as far as I see it, is the gentleman in the article who has suffered so long with PTSD - it simply makes it all more difficult. I wish you peace my friend - I truly do. "
Rural Citizen wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:14 AM:
" It's always such a pleasure to hear pontifications from people who DON'T EVEN LIVE HERE like skeezix and Former Resident. YOU BOTH left, you had your say with your feet. So keep your pontifications to yourselves. You might be surprised to find out the world doesn't think you're so much better than us all. "
Common_Sense wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:28 AM:
" So here is my question - did these people buy their houses (or move into their neighborhoods) before or after the train lines went in?
If it was before, then yes, I understand this must be annoying; however if it was after then I am sorry, but you really have no right to complain. After all, I assume you bought / rented your property at a reduced rate because of the close proximity to the train lines.
As for blowing the horn, I am sure that if the train only blew its horn once and went to to hit someone or something these same people would be up in arms about the train drivers not caring about anyone's safety.
Some people just are not happy unless they are complaining about something. "
If it was before, then yes, I understand this must be annoying; however if it was after then I am sorry, but you really have no right to complain. After all, I assume you bought / rented your property at a reduced rate because of the close proximity to the train lines.
As for blowing the horn, I am sure that if the train only blew its horn once and went to to hit someone or something these same people would be up in arms about the train drivers not caring about anyone's safety.
Some people just are not happy unless they are complaining about something. "
Common_Sense wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:30 AM:
" On a further note, Longview / Kelso are industrial towns. So if they do away with bringing in or taking out materials via trains, they would then have to do this via trucks - imagine how many complaints you could make then? "
gimpy wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:58 AM:
" I live on the west side of the Cowlitz and when the east wind blows it sounds like the trains are coming right through the house. BUT, I wake up at 4 am if the train whistles don't blow, wondering what's wrong. It's something I got used to. That said, when you are down at the Bridge Market on Sunday and the whistle blows, it shuts down commerce. "
reasonable1 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:19 AM:
" Yikes! I just re-read my first post. Sorry about the spelling. And my copy-and-paste didn't pick up a hyphen. Ah, well. Time to let my inner control freak take a well-earned vacation. I think Rural Citizen should go along, too. Trains is trains is trains, no matter where you live. If you're so unhappy reading people's opinions, maybe the solution is to stop. "
Tortoise wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:35 AM:
" Common_Sense: no one is talking about doing away with the trains. "
skeezix wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:00 AM:
" Rural Citizen,
Wow...pontification? That's an awfully big word. How long have you been waiting to get that into your daily lexicon. Let me clarify for my own self here and leave Former Resident the opportunity to chime in, if he or she chooses. For myself, my comments were not intended to make people think I was superior in any way to anyone. They were merely observations of what I see on many posts here and elsewhere. There are individuals who make posts that seem to just be complaints about anything and everything that comes along. Quite frankly, some of them have no merit. Seriously now, if you live near airports or train tracks, the odds are pretty high you will hear planes and trains. They make noise, everyone knows that and should take those things into consideration. I don't live near the Portland Airport, but on some days, depending on wind direction, the flight path goes over my house. I'm not writing to congress to make them stop. I don't live near a railroad, but on some nights, I can hear locomotives idling and whistles blowing. Neither am I writing to the city of Portland to have them put a stop to it. Lighten up. "
Wow...pontification? That's an awfully big word. How long have you been waiting to get that into your daily lexicon. Let me clarify for my own self here and leave Former Resident the opportunity to chime in, if he or she chooses. For myself, my comments were not intended to make people think I was superior in any way to anyone. They were merely observations of what I see on many posts here and elsewhere. There are individuals who make posts that seem to just be complaints about anything and everything that comes along. Quite frankly, some of them have no merit. Seriously now, if you live near airports or train tracks, the odds are pretty high you will hear planes and trains. They make noise, everyone knows that and should take those things into consideration. I don't live near the Portland Airport, but on some days, depending on wind direction, the flight path goes over my house. I'm not writing to congress to make them stop. I don't live near a railroad, but on some nights, I can hear locomotives idling and whistles blowing. Neither am I writing to the city of Portland to have them put a stop to it. Lighten up. "
Common_Sense wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:02 AM:
" Tortoise - did you honestly think that living close to a railroad would be silent?
It's like people who move on to busy streets or who's houses back on to highways or interstates - they continually complain about traffic and noise.
If the train whistles bother you - move.
I personally live close to a railroad track - we knew this when we bought our house and the train whistles blow quite a lot. Personally I would rather have train whistles blow than a train hit a car or person attempting to cross the tracks. "
It's like people who move on to busy streets or who's houses back on to highways or interstates - they continually complain about traffic and noise.
If the train whistles bother you - move.
I personally live close to a railroad track - we knew this when we bought our house and the train whistles blow quite a lot. Personally I would rather have train whistles blow than a train hit a car or person attempting to cross the tracks. "
rosy wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:14 AM:
" Safety is overrated. Who are they protected at 3 or 4 in the morning? I lived less than 1/2 block from the Weyerhouser crossing in West Kelso and I'm a heavy sleeper. The night shift took particular glee in blasting the horn, loud and long. The busy crossing two blocks down- that they just tooted and went through.
Quiet zone sounds good. Good sleep and peace of mind? Priceless. "
Quiet zone sounds good. Good sleep and peace of mind? Priceless. "
Master Wario wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:56 AM:
" Here in Lexington it is super loud. It seems like they just blow the top off. "
beachbum wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:24 PM:
" Rosy, actually, 3 or 4 in the morning is probably when the whistles are needed the most. It's dark and people that are out and about that time of morning don't always see the trains coming. Sadly, we have way to many transients out and about that time of morning. That's when most of the people struck by trains are hit. "
retrobeth wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:48 PM:
" I live a block away from the train tracks and I have to admit that at first it was a bit of a shock, but now I don't even notice the trains. It is kind of a comforting now. I really don't think its a big deal. If people don't like the noise then move. "
Cheney119 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:25 PM:
" A crossing signal upgrade would require full crossing arms on both sides of the tracks that motorists cant drive around. The crossing arms would be activated by automatic sensors on the tracks. The problem is the horns, right? If you upgrade the crossings you no longer need the horns, right? What's the problem. I used to live near a crossing when I lived in Bellingham and it was wake the dead loud. I can't imagine the burden, I can hear their horn all the way in Longview. This is a quality of life issue and if the improved crossings are possible then they are worth the cost, regardless of who was there first. The railroad went through to Tacoma in the 1890's, come on people, Kelso was founded by Petere Crawford in 1847, we weren't even part of the Uunited States north of the Columbia River when Kelso was founded. "
Scot Heisel, TDN wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:30 PM:
" According to Daily News reporter Amy M.E. Fischer, Howard Monroe has lived at his place in South Kelso since 1955. "
Rocko wrote on Jul 17, 2008 2:36 PM:
" its a conspiracy. I'll bet they made all the trains wait on the out skirts of town while you looked at your propective new home. its happening in longview too. they had the wind blowing south. now that i bought my house it always blows north. i wonder if i could get the city to make the mills use really big filters? "
Former Res wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:03 PM:
" I bet if the residents listened, they'd hear 2 long blasts, 1 short blast, and 1 long blast - the required signal for approaching a crossing. Pontificate on that one! Trains are cool - I don't have one near my house now, but when we vacation, there are tracks across the river and the trains come by all hours of the day and night. You can hear them blow the whistle at the crossing, but you "Hear the train a coming, she's rollin' round the bend, and I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when". I used to wake up when they passed by at night, but not anymore! "
Former Resident wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:15 PM:
" RE:Rural Citizen
Guess what, I wasn't trying to imply I was better than anyone else. I merely don't think people who CHOOSE to live within earshot of loud noises (suches as railways, airports,highways, etc.) have any room to complain about the associated noise. I happen to rent right off a fairly major highway, and yet I don't complain about the road noise...it doesn't bother me. If those type of noises bother people living nearby, there's a simple solution - they can move! "
Guess what, I wasn't trying to imply I was better than anyone else. I merely don't think people who CHOOSE to live within earshot of loud noises (suches as railways, airports,highways, etc.) have any room to complain about the associated noise. I happen to rent right off a fairly major highway, and yet I don't complain about the road noise...it doesn't bother me. If those type of noises bother people living nearby, there's a simple solution - they can move! "
bn rail wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:40 PM:
" Constantly hearing this complaint. PLEASE understand we are required by FEDERAL LAW to blow the horn. We would be more than happy not too if it were for the fact that we are required too. We don't do it to anoy any one. ONCE AGAIN it's required by law.
For all those home owners near the tracks, understand this the rails were there many years before your home was either purchased or even built. I too live near an area in the country that has this dilema. We adjust. But as a society we are so selfish and self serving that anything bothers us and we don't think of others just ourselves.
We all are governed by the lackluster political system and they set the rules and it takes time for change. Sometimes too long for some.
How bout this we prefer all the crossings to be closed off so we don't have to deal with these self serving, impatient sue happy people out there. That would eliminate the numerous grade crossing accidents we go thru each year and would solve the horn issue for us all.
PETITION your city councils and upper government on that issue.
give me a break. "
For all those home owners near the tracks, understand this the rails were there many years before your home was either purchased or even built. I too live near an area in the country that has this dilema. We adjust. But as a society we are so selfish and self serving that anything bothers us and we don't think of others just ourselves.
We all are governed by the lackluster political system and they set the rules and it takes time for change. Sometimes too long for some.
How bout this we prefer all the crossings to be closed off so we don't have to deal with these self serving, impatient sue happy people out there. That would eliminate the numerous grade crossing accidents we go thru each year and would solve the horn issue for us all.
PETITION your city councils and upper government on that issue.
give me a break. "
Gondolapete wrote on Jul 17, 2008 4:25 PM:
" I think all rail traffic should cease and they should dig up the tracks ASAP...they could use the old rail right of ways to hold Diversity marches. And while we are at it, we should dig up and remove I-5 as well, since it's also noisy. After that we need to look at removing and banning all and any future airports as they also can cause noise. "
Buford McGee wrote on Jul 17, 2008 4:35 PM:
" The article failed to mention that the city will be paying to make these changes. People moved to these houses knowing that there is a train track with noise. Why are taxpayers paying for the city to spend our money this way? Does a councilman leave near or own rental property near this area? "
momto1 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 5:11 PM:
" So it is the law to blow a train whistle for 30 seconds on each crossing in the middle of the night? I can handle the trains during the day, it is when I am trying to relax and sleep that it bothers me. They blow these whistles for up to 30 seconds at a time, and you can't just "ignore" that. "
roudy russ wrote on Jul 17, 2008 5:27 PM:
" I am so tired of people moving here and then complaining about how it is. I grew up here and I will probably die here. If you don't like it here then GET OUT OR SHUT UP!!!! "
Atrucker wrote on Jul 17, 2008 5:52 PM:
" I grew up in south Kelso, and west Kelso on the dike . The railroad used to park up to 3 engines up near the station and leave them idle all night long . The worst noise back then was the Allen street bridge expansion joint plate every car or truck that hit it was clack, clank, Then some things would rattle over the tracks loud.
Smelt would come in then commercial boats roaring up the river at night full tilt .
Rocky point was a switch hard more so than today, BANG < BANG , all day long .
Oh, when they built the hall of justice
had a pile driver in my back yard , try that some time .
I have been around the trains for years ,I think they need the horns ,I darn near bought it once at a crossing near the mouth of the Cowlitz , for what ever reason I did not see that big train. "
Smelt would come in then commercial boats roaring up the river at night full tilt .
Rocky point was a switch hard more so than today, BANG < BANG , all day long .
Oh, when they built the hall of justice
had a pile driver in my back yard , try that some time .
I have been around the trains for years ,I think they need the horns ,I darn near bought it once at a crossing near the mouth of the Cowlitz , for what ever reason I did not see that big train. "
DUH wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:28 PM:
" I suppose next you'll want emergency vehicles to stop using their sirens? I have lived within one block of the train tracks for 45 years and never once have I heard them blow their whistle for 30 seconds. In 30 seconds the locomotives have already come and gone. "
Commenter wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:42 PM:
" If people are complaining about the trains blowing their whistles at night, does this mean the people who sleep during the day can complain too? I wish I could type what I want to type to all these complainers. Go get some ear plugs. "
Gondolapete wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:18 PM:
" To momto1:
There is not one example I bet that you can prove trains blow their horns for 30 seconds...count out 30 seconds...You are making that up!!!! "
There is not one example I bet that you can prove trains blow their horns for 30 seconds...count out 30 seconds...You are making that up!!!! "
mustang wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:24 PM:
" I lived in Kalama for years across from RSG, train tracks plus the freeway and don't forget thr fog horns on the ships. The trains would hook up all night long we never heard them after a while then we had RSG the log loaders and the green chain all night long, you really do just get use to them. I miss the fog horns the most but I guess there would be people who would complain about those also. I do feel for the Mr Monore its more likley the vibration that gets him over the noise. "
greenbean wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:00 PM:
" I live on Olson Road, and I enjoy hearing the train whistles in the distance, day and night. Not too loud, but loud enough to hear. I probably would have thought twice about moving any closer to the tracks. How about using earplugs at night? "
bn rail wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:07 PM:
" the wistle boards are about a 1/4 mile from the crossing. so depending on the speed our amount of delay is based on that.
the speed for most trains thru kelso is 40 mph so it's a 3 second delay before we start to blow for the crossing and no it's not 30 seconds, with the long, long, short and final long sequence thru the crossing it is roughly 15 seconds..
and the crew is required by law night or day to blow. It may seem like a long time, but there are several areas that have mutiple crossings so we have to do the sequence more than once....
education people, education.... "
the speed for most trains thru kelso is 40 mph so it's a 3 second delay before we start to blow for the crossing and no it's not 30 seconds, with the long, long, short and final long sequence thru the crossing it is roughly 15 seconds..
and the crew is required by law night or day to blow. It may seem like a long time, but there are several areas that have mutiple crossings so we have to do the sequence more than once....
education people, education.... "
concerned wrote on Jul 18, 2008 6:20 AM:
" to all the people who say if you dont like the noise move out....hell you provide me with a place to move to and the funds to move and pay the extra amount of money it would take for rent and I will gladly move...any takers??? I bet NOT!!!! You see its not as simple as move when ever you want for some people. I know of people living 3/4 to a full mile away from the tracks and they still hear the train. Are you telling me everyone within that radius should move??? Suck it up BNDF and pay for some safety railroad crossing its your trains making all the commotion!! "
ugh...yeah wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:30 AM:
" Hey bn rail...if all engineers did the long, long, short, long...it would be no big deal. It's the ones that do just one long drone that are horrible. If bnsf would monitor this, I think they'd see the problem. I don't mind the trains...and they're *close* to me. Very close. It's the ones that seem to live by the "I'm not sleeping, nor are you" adage. "
DUH wrote on Jul 18, 2008 11:12 AM:
" RE: concerned... Did you not know the train tracks were there when you moved in? Did you not know that they blow their horns at crossings? Did you not know that the trains run at all hours of the day and night? My guess is, yes you probably did know that. At one point or another, trains more than likely delivered the car you drive, the TV you watch, and the toilet paper you use to wipe your... well you get the picture. If they do institute a "quiet zone", whats next? You gonna complain about the god awful noise they make when they apply their brakes? They way the ground shakes whenever they go by? The horrid noise they make when they hitch up? It's never ending. You want peace and quiet? Move to the beach. Oh but wait, you'd probably complain about how loud the waves are crashing ashore and want them to stop that too. Better re-evaluate who should "suck it up". "
classic_mustang_chick wrote on Jul 19, 2008 11:23 AM:
" Have you ever heard the loud fog horns on the tugs and/or ships while walking around the lake??? Do you hear those residents complaining???
If the noise bothers you plant some trees, sound moves in waves, as the trees grow the sound waves getting through to you will be reduced and you get a quieter space. "
If the noise bothers you plant some trees, sound moves in waves, as the trees grow the sound waves getting through to you will be reduced and you get a quieter space. "
KelsoLesbian wrote on Jul 20, 2008 3:13 AM:
" BN Rail,
I appreciate the education, thank you. You have answered a few questions I have had for years already. We notice different types of trains and different companies seem to have different horn regiments. We can almost name the train by length and frequency of the horn blasts. (yes, we understand the doppler principle effects some of this.) Are there different regulations depending on speed, mass, and use of the train? "
I appreciate the education, thank you. You have answered a few questions I have had for years already. We notice different types of trains and different companies seem to have different horn regiments. We can almost name the train by length and frequency of the horn blasts. (yes, we understand the doppler principle effects some of this.) Are there different regulations depending on speed, mass, and use of the train? "
Rosey Glasses wrote on Jul 20, 2008 4:48 PM:
" I used to live a block from the tracks, it is something you just get used to. this man bought his home in 1955, the tracks were here. He needs to either get over it or move. It just amaizes me how people build near a noisy place and then lobby to get noise reduction laws passed. Reminds me of all them people that build homes near freeways and then want the trucks to not use their engine breaks, it is a recipe for disaster. "
mhmltn wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:24 AM:
" I believe it is Bushes fault here .If he would release the Gitmo prisoners and give them shelter here the noise would go away.Just ask OBAMA.There might be oil under those tracks too and I bet it stunts the growth of kids in the area and causes ADHD. "
tugtrio wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:55 AM:
" Rosey: It has already happened! The dump truck and the boat & trailer. "
Common_Sense wrote on Jul 22, 2008 1:52 PM:
" And yet nothing about the boy who was killed on the weekend in Centralia on the rail road tracks? I wonder if that train blew their whistle? "
grrrowl wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:49 AM:
" I live about a block and a half from the train tracks, and have since I was three. For the most part they don't bother me, but some of the conductors like to blow their horns like little children, that's when it is annoying. It has definitely gotten worse in the last several years. I'm not asking that it be a "quiet zone," just that the aforementioned conductors blow their horn a little lighter like the other ones. Instead of as loud as freakin' possible like they do now. Seriously, the difference it would make would be amazing. "
bluE wrote on Jul 25, 2008 3:59 PM:
" they need to get out there and open up pathways over and under those tracks so people can get to the other side, then they need to seal off the tracks and make it absolutely clear via signs and fines that they are not playgrounds. and then they can start talking about the quiet. those tracks are way dangerous, total traps for people who are un familiar with the area, and that includes children, animals and many others. please dont jeopardize any ones life for silence, you folks knew what you were getting into when you moved near train tracks, its not like the tracks are new to the area.... "
dw wrote on Jul 26, 2008 5:33 PM:
" for all you bozos who think the choo choo train is to loud, think of the crew that has to look at dorks that try to cross the track before the train gets there. I bet more than one engineer has had his heart stop because someone was not paying attention or thought they could get across the tracks in time. If I were an train operator, I would make sure everyone within 5 miles of me knew I was there. It beats running over some poor car load teenagers with their stero so loud that they can't even here the train coming.
I could not imagine what those train operators have to put up with, not to mention a bunch of whinners who choose to live by a train track. "
I could not imagine what those train operators have to put up with, not to mention a bunch of whinners who choose to live by a train track. "
lindaj wrote on Jul 28, 2008 2:39 AM:
" I have been visiting my Son and his wife and that train is real loud, I grew up with the changing station behind our home it was nothing like this they need some traffic signals with arms or ??? "
finchica wrote on Aug 3, 2008 3:04 PM:
" Me my daughter and husband plan to move to a town where we CAN enjoy a train whistle or 2 without dumb people griping about it.. Im sure you people here say how bad our air is too because we have too many pollutants from semis and all that.. Why dont we start a complaint form for I-5 too... Have you ever realized the number of semis on our road ways?? Each one using that much more deisel. Have you seen a loaded train?? They can carry much much much more than a single semi using less fuel and less emissions. Make up your mind people honestly.... If its not one things its got to be another.. Just live your life... "
The Grateful Dad wrote on Aug 3, 2008 11:48 PM:
" So Mr. Monroe is 83 years old and is complaining about the noise of train horns? I will echo the sentiments of several others in here; IF THE SOUND OF TRAINS AND THEIR HORNS ARE THAT MUCH OF A NUISANCE TO YOU, WHY DID YOU PURCHASE A HOME SO NEAR THE TRAIN TRACKS??!!?? The trains have been running there for nearly a century, if not longer. Why this is suddenly a problem, especially to an elderly gentleman who should KNOW BETTER, is beyond me! It reminds me of the early 1990s when a small group of California implants that had just moved to a Lake Washington neighborhood in Seattle began complaining about the noise of the U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" that flew over Lake Washington near their homes for a few days in August during the Seafair celebration. Imagine that, a few upstart new residents wanted to change tradition, and local celebration just because of a few minutes of noise for a couple of days a year. Now we have people who LIVE NEAR THE RAILROAD TRACKS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A CENTURY and they just decided that they want the trains to hush? Good grief! Go move to Vader! It's REALLY QUIET up there! "
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