Thinking about moving to Bellaire but worried about the train (Howe: house, neighborhood)

[khariharan]

I'm thinking about moving to Bellaire but the homes in my price range are close to the railroad. I have heard and read that the train no longer blows its horn. Does anyone know when the train goes through Bellaire? Time of day and how many times? I'm also looking to find out just how loud the train is...is it something that can be heard regardless of where you are in Bellaire?

[daisybear]

The train runs behind our neighborhood and we are pretty close but it isn't an issue to us. We have a well insulated house and good windows so we never hear it inside. It is a quiet zone so there is no horn and it is not very frequent. If you are outside you'll hear it rumble by but most of the time it is short and not too loud. Keep in mind that just as you are concerned so will protential buyers be when you sell. It def. made us pause before buying but we don't have any regrets. And who knows....one day it might be a cancelled route. : )

[latetotheparty]

i grew up about a block and a half (from infant to my early 20's) from the train tracks that cross richmond ave next to the ragin' cajun (THAT was a UTotem back in the day) and it was never an issue for the neighborhood..... it was just another part of our landscape.....

[houstonreadhead]

Hello,

I love trains. I would love to have your "problem". However, nothing in Bellaire is in my price range.

I think I read somewhere on some trainspotter's website some time ago that about 35 - 40 trains pass through Bellaire each day. It's quite a busy route, actually. The trains no longer blow their horns, so you'll only hear the rumble of the locomotives as they go by. You will get so used to it that you won't even hear it.

One thing to consider is that many times, trains idle for hours between Bellaire and Beechnut. Having moving trains pass by through the day is one thing, but a parked train is another. Something to consider.

Scott

[daisybear]

Originally Posted by houstonreadhead

Hello,

I think I read somewhere on some trainspotter's website some time ago that about 35 - 40 trains pass through Bellaire each day. It's quite a busy route, actually.
One thing to consider is that many times, trains idle for hours between Bellaire and Beechnut. Having moving trains pass by through the day is one thing, but a parked train is another. Something to consider.

Scott

I have a hard time believing that number - I am home a lot day and night, and just don't think it is nearly that many. 10-15 maybe if that many.
I've also never seen them idle behind our neighborhood nor do they block the crossings (but we are south of Beechnut.)

[houstonreadhead]

They never block the crossings.

[houstonreadhead]

I did a quick search on the Texas Department of Transportation's website. According to them, we were both wrong. Between 50 and 60 trains run through Bellaire each day. I had no idea it was that busy.

Here's the link. Terminal Subdivision

Scott

[daisybear]

Originally Posted by houstonreadhead

I did a quick search on the Texas Department of Transportation's website. According to them, we were both wrong. Between 50 and 60 trains run through Bellaire each day. I had no idea it was that busy.

Here's the link. Terminal Subdivision

Scott

WOW! It REALLY doesn't seem like nearly that many.

Could it be refering to those lines overall back and forth between the different points and not just the Bellaire sections? :: "rail traffic along the Terminal Subdivision is primarily bidirectional, traveling to and from Englewood Yard"

I'm just still doubtful becuase they seem so infrequent.

[houstonreadhead]

I don't know what they're referring to. It seems like a lot of trains to me, too. It's quite rare that you actually have to wait for one to pass. Though having said that, for every one train I have actually had to stop and wait for, I have probably seen five passing ahead that have cleared the crossing before I got to it.

[khariharan]

Thanks for the information. Will have to go check out the train in person to see just how loud it is.