Train noise in Round Rock? (West, Howe: zoned, lease, job)

[love roses]

I don't feel that way at all! I love trains, and my dad, in his post retirement job, worked for the railroad. I think it'd be a waste for a law to limit train noise. However, maybe how close neighborhoods are built near tracks could be another story. Or perhaps not moving to a town with train tracks would be an alternative. Quit hearing trains/18 wheelers, know the economy is down the flusher.

[Stevedawg]

I think it will drive you crazy at first but after awhile you won't even notice it.

[lawlib]

How bad is the train noise at night if you live in those two subdivisions off McNeil? I noticed the train noise during the day while looking at a house and the whistle appealed to me but my husband was more concerned. As we haven't retired there yet, I still have options.

[Trainwreck20]

Having lived on a train track (well, I slept about 80 feet from the MoPac line), the exact location can be critical. If the train blows its' whistle after it passes your house, you're set. If it is on the approach to your house, that can be real bad. The trains usually blow their whistle at almost the exact same spot (it is dependent on the distance to the nearest railroad crossing), but occasionally, they would blow their whistle early, and it would wake me up every time. Fortunately, that was once every few months. I couldn't imagine living closer to the intersection.

[Rose Red]

I live in Sonoma near Ridgeview middle school and the train can be heard at night. Like another person posted, when it's foggy out it can get a little loud. Other than that it is not a problem.
Where I used to live in CA, I heard trains going by so I may just be used to it.

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

Originally Posted by Rose Red

I live in Sonoma near Ridgeview middle school and the train can be heard at night. Like another person posted, when it's foggy out it can get a little loud. Other than that it is not a problem.
Where I used to live in CA, I heard trains going by so I may just be used to it.

That was probably me posting about the fog, and yes, it woke me up many times. I can't count the times it didn't wake me up, , the times I know about were a real bummer for that day if it left me sleepy the whole day.

[car957]

The same Missouri Pacific rail line runs about 3 miles from house underneath the Slaughter Lane bridge. I like sitting in the house at night and the engineer blows the horn. I also enjoy the sound of the 3,500 HP Detroit Diesel accelerating.

Moderator cut: ot

[SlumberPartiesbyGenipha]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I am about maybe 2-3 ish miles from the track, and I can still hear it during the day and at night. It doesn't wake me when I am sleeping though. I love it. It's loud enough to make it seem like you are living in a rural area, and get my train loving 3 yr old excited - without seeming like it's barreling through my neighborhood.

I would think that, as with many things, you would grow accustomed to it and it would just become part of your environment - so that the sound wouldn't seem odd to you, or out of the ordinary....

Ditto We like the sound and it doesnt wake us at night....you get used to it!

[kpo67]

Originally Posted by lawlib

How bad is the train noise at night if you live in those two subdivisions off McNeil? I noticed the train noise during the day while looking at a house and the whistle appealed to me but my husband was more concerned. As we haven't retired there yet, I still have options.

It's pretty bad...we live in the Round Rock West subdivision right along the track. Some of the engineers seem to get a kick out of laying on the horn a little too long...usually between 2-6 am. But we're hearing rumors about a 4-quad gate being installed at the intersection of McNeil and 172. This would all but squash the train horn noise. We can't wait!!!

[thewilson]

Originally Posted by kpo67

It's pretty bad...we live in the Round Rock West subdivision right along the track. Some of the engineers seem to get a kick out of laying on the horn a little too long...usually between 2-6 am. But we're hearing rumors about a 4-quad gate being installed at the intersection of McNeil and 172. This would all but squash the train horn noise. We can't wait!!!

Do you have any information about that 4 quad gate? I dont even know what one is but my wife and I just moved into a duplex on christopher avenue and the train track is on the other side of a small stand of trees and we hear the train at least once an hour and its very loud shaking pictures on the wall in the back bedroom loud .


Any tips on reducing the volume in the house? I read the round rock noise ordinance and it excludes rail noise unless its continuous for several minutes the lowest they go is 15 minutes and that is at 115 dB It's just very frustrating trying to make any business calls from home because when the train comes by you and the other party have to wait for the train to pass which can be a real headache. And of course the noise makes me sleep less which i guess is another reason I am so sad to have signed a 2 year vs 1 year lease.

Thanks MW