Railway question

[I_10_92]

This isnt really radio related, but I'm sure some Rail buffs might know this. When a train approaches an intersection with a raod, the train must blow its horn, correct? Even if there are the wig-wag things and the arm thinggy.

I ask this because GO transit is thinking about not blowing their horns in the town that i live in. Too many people have complained that it wakes them up at 6am and such, or scares the babies and animals. (Mind you the tracks are over 50 years old, and the houses are under 20.)

 

[mikewazowski]

There are certain areas that are "no whistle" zones.

In a lot of cases, people buy houses close to the tracks and for some reason think that the trains will not bother them. Then, after they move in, the trains bother them.

So all of a sudden they're complaining that their quality of life is compromised and the trains should be quiet. Kind of like the dipsticks who buy houses near Pearson and complain the planes are too loud.

The usual procedure is for the municipality to pass a "no whistle" bylaw and then load up on the liability insurance. Once the insurance and bylaw are in place, the trains will not whistle anymore as the municipality accepts all responsibility for any accidents that may occur.

 

[I_10_92]

i see.. So it can be done with a bylaw... compromising safety because people are morons.

Two things my parents told me "Never by a house near a vacant lot, and never by a house near train tracks."

Makes sence. Thanks for the answer Mike.

 

[SCPD]

Aw, come on...Have fun with the bylaw.
How about no whistle blowing unless you're about to derail and spill your toxic load in my back yard?

On second thought...I'd guess there'd still be people that don't want up at 3 or 4 a.m.

As I understand it the no whistle bylaw is only part of it. Once the municipality is good with the idea then the whole thing has to be taken to the railway before they will consider not blowing. A few years ago Pefferlaw requested a no whistle zone and while the whole thing was going back and forth the whistle blows actually went longer than before the complaints.

One more place not to buy a house...Edge of lot on beautiful hillside. Because with a bit of rain and one extra letter you've got hillslide...putting you in a whole new neighbourhood. (But MAN the scanner activity just after it happens)

 

[I_10_92]

well the whole thing is, its the local GO train service that uses the tracks.. nothing else.. THe whistle wouldnt blow earlier than say 6 or something... I think thats when the first train leaves... its such a bedroom community here, that everyone that i know if already up and at the local Timmy's by 6:15

 

[patman]

Ask any CN or CP engineer what they think of no whistle zones. People are morons even with lights, barricades and the horn. They get even more stupid when they don't hear a horn.

 

[I_10_92]

I'd have to agree. I've seen people drive around the gates and such from time to time.. Every now and then a train sits on the tracks just shy of the intersection and it sets off the lights and the whole nine yards.. eventhough it only takes like 2 mins for them to turn them off, people feel they should drive around, under, even through the gates.