Decatur / Dekalb CSX Rail line (Coventry Rd) (Druid Hills: neighborhood, construction)

[CA_Vol]

I just recently moved into Decatur near the Coventry Rd CSX rail line. I'm curious, has there been any serious effort to pursue a "quiet zone" at that crossing? It's not really that bad, but it seems to me a small investment by the county to put in the required safety arms would be worth it for the residents that live near it.

Any information would be appreciated. Happy New Year!

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by CA_Vol

I just recently moved into Decatur near the Coventry Rd CSX rail line. I'm curious, has there been any serious effort to pursue a "quiet zone" at that crossing? It's not really that bad, but it seems to me a small investment by the county to put in the required safety arms would be worth it for the residents that live near it.

Any information would be appreciated. Happy New Year!

I am not completely certain, but I think that at-grade railroad crossings might be under the jurisdiction of CSX. Maybe someone will be able to clarify whose jurisdiction railroad crossings are under exactly.

I say that railroads crossings may be under the jurisdiction of CSX because at many at-grade railroad crossings there are very small blue signs on the posts of the crossing signals that advise people to call CSX if there are any problems, concerns or emergencies.

On the safety page on the CSX website, instructions are provided for the public to contact CSX by phone or online to express any concerns related to train operations, including train noise...

TellCSX, a phone and Internet hotline (1-877-TELLCSX) operated during regular business hours, addresses questions or concerns related to bridges, train noise, rough crossings, construction and other issues.

https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/safety/ (CSX Safety)

You might also want to contact your local neighborhood association, which likely may have expressed concerns about noise and safety at the crossing in question in the past.

[red92s]

It's a lengthy process that is conducted by the FRA. I believe the municipality has to initiate the request. If it's inside the CoD limits, that's not as daunting and I'd I quite with your city commissioner. If it's unincorporated Deklab, I wouldn't know where to start. The crossing on East Lake in Druid Hills just outside Decatur was just recently converted, so there is some recent success stories.

[CA_Vol]

Originally Posted by red92s

It's a lengthy process that is conducted by the FRA. I believe the municipality has to initiate the request. If it's inside the CoD limits, that's not as daunting and I'd I quite with your city commissioner. If it's unincorporated Deklab, I wouldn't know where to start. The crossing on East Lake in Druid Hills just outside Decatur was just recently converted, so there is some recent success stories.

Interesting & good news regarding the recent success example. I believe the line actually falls into unincorporated Dekalb County. Anyone on here with any details surrounding who spearheaded the East Lake crossing? I believe that is also unincorporated Dekalb. Thanks for the info!

[CA_Vol]

I also appreciate the CSX hotline. Will definitely use if necessary. Great info to have.

[cwkimbro]

Well first off... best of luck to you.

That is actually some of the quieter tracks in the area on CSX's system.

It is a just over 2 mile link between two lines and is called the Inman Park Belt. It's only purpose is to shift local freight between the Northeast of town and Hulsey yard and occasionally let some mainline trains skip the congest Howell Junction. It connects the Seaboard Airline and the Georgia Railroad between Belt Junction and Kirkwood junction.

Railroad tracks are given different statuses based on the engineering and what safety elements the railroad's build. On those tracks freight trains can not go over 25 mph and probably typically move slower.

CSX will unlikely not need to increase these limits going into the future.

This connecting belt sees far fewer, shorter, and slower traveling trains than the mainlines they are connecting. This makes it a lower priority in terms of operational efficiency and any needs for safety improvements.

Also, it is in a much more sparsely populated part of town. This means the impact is on fewer people.

The key thing about the East Lake crossing is it was the only other at-grade crossing on that connecting belt. The downside for you, that road sees a good bit of traffic in comparison.

[MattCW]

Uh, I wouldn't necessarily say the Parkline sees shorter trains. Of note are Q194, Intermodal to Charlotte, and Q192/192, Intermodal to Montreal. Less trains, yes, but still normal ones.

[CA_Vol]

That's interesting information. Seems to me if they're already slower moving trains, and the bulk of the crossing safety infrastructure already exists, it wouldn't be arduous to add an arm and apply to the FRA for the quiet zone. I'm new to the area, but I wouldn't exactly call the Coventry crossing sparsely populated; it's in the middle of rather large residential area.

You seem very knowledgeable on the subject, but you also seem to think getting a quiet zone is an unlikely proposition. Has anyone tried?

[bu2]

Originally Posted by CA_Vol

I just recently moved into Decatur near the Coventry Rd CSX rail line. I'm curious, has there been any serious effort to pursue a "quiet zone" at that crossing? It's not really that bad, but it seems to me a small investment by the county to put in the required safety arms would be worth it for the residents that live near it.

Any information would be appreciated. Happy New Year!

Isn't there a sign there saying it is a "no horn" zone? I seem to recall seeing that. It is in unincorporated DeKalb.

[bu2]

You might check with someone at the Druid Hills Civic Association about the quiet zone. They are active and would probably know the history.