Train tracks along S. Robert Trail (Eagan, Inver Grove Heights: 2009, houses, neighborhoods)

[minnitransplant]

I was wondering how loud the trains were along S. Robert Train in Eagan and Rosemount? Also how often do they come by and do the travel at night?

[golfgal]

It depends on how close you are to the tracks, we are about a mile away and can faintly hear the whistle and yes, they run at night. There is one that comes through around 4:00 am-my dog often lets me know that .

[AVguy]

I live about 2.5 miles from the train tracks running parallel to S. Robert Trail. When our windows are open at home, I can faintly hear the train whistle on a calm evening. The trains do not seem to run very frequently, but they seem to run day or night. According to MnDOT's 2009 train volume and speed maps, trains run along Robert Trail north of 145th in Rosemount approximately 2 times/day, while the trains run along Robert Trail south of 145th in Rosemount approximately 11 times/day (http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/maps...ilVolSpeed.pdf), so it depends on where you are looking in Eagan and Rosemount (or Inver Grove Heights, if you are looking in the Robert Trail/Cliff neighborhoods).

One thing that you may not expect about S. Robert Trail is that traffic has become an issue on this road during morning and evening rush hours because of the number of employees commuting to the Thomson Reuters in Eagan from points to the south. (Thomson Reuters employs 7,000 people at its Eagan campus and, at least before the economy turned, they were looking to expand.) My wife has had her commute to Thomson Reuters slowed by as much as 10 minutes on sunny days at the height of rush hour, and up to 30 minutes in icy/snowy conditions (which sounds bad, but everyone's commute is bad when snow is falling during rush hour). Because of the geography (i.e., lack of right of way) and lack of highway funding, the probability of expanding S. Robert Trail to meet rush hour demand is very low, IMO.

On the positive side, if you are looking at the subdivisions in Eagan that abut S. Robert Trail, there are many newer homes and neighborhoods full of families. The neighborhoods range from typical cookie-cutter homes (Eagan) to larger mini-McMansons (southwestern Inver Grove Heights) to rural farm houses (Inver Grove Heights), all within a few miles of each other. The residental lots on the Inver Grove side tend to be larger than the lots on the Eagan side. And all these above-mentioned neighborhoods are in the ISD 196 school district, which includes a highly rated elementary school located right off of S. Robert Trail.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by AVguy

I live about 2.5 miles from the train tracks running parallel to S. Robert Trail. When our windows are open at home, I can faintly hear the train whistle on a calm evening. The trains do not seem to run very frequently, but they seem to run day or night. According to MnDOT's 2009 train volume and speed maps, trains run along Robert Trail north of 145th in Rosemount approximately 2 times/day, while the trains run along Robert Trail south of 145th in Rosemount approximately 11 times/day (http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/maps...ilVolSpeed.pdf), so it depends on where you are looking in Eagan and Rosemount (or Inver Grove Heights, if you are looking in the Robert Trail/Cliff neighborhoods).

One thing that you may not expect about S. Robert Trail is that traffic has become an issue on this road during morning and evening rush hours because of the number of employees commuting to the Thomson Reuters in Eagan from points to the south. (Thomson Reuters employs 7,000 people at its Eagan campus and, at least before the economy turned, they were looking to expand.) My wife has had her commute to Thomson Reuters slowed by as much as 10 minutes on sunny days at the height of rush hour, and up to 30 minutes in icy/snowy conditions (which sounds bad, but everyone's commute is bad when snow is falling during rush hour). Because of the geography (i.e., lack of right of way) and lack of highway funding, the probability of expanding S. Robert Trail to meet rush hour demand is very low, IMO.

On the positive side, if you are looking at the subdivisions in Eagan that abut S. Robert Trail, there are many newer homes and neighborhoods full of families. The neighborhoods range from typical cookie-cutter homes (Eagan) to larger mini-McMansons (southwestern Inver Grove Heights) to rural farm houses (Inver Grove Heights), all within a few miles of each other. The residental lots on the Inver Grove side tend to be larger than the lots on the Eagan side. And all these above-mentioned neighborhoods are in the ISD 196 school district, which includes a highly rated elementary school located right off of S. Robert Trail.

Something must be off with that train map because the trains don't just disappear at 145th. I agree that Robert St. is not a good commuting street. The road is only 2 lanes and twists and turns too much to pass anyone driving under the speed limit-which happens frequently. The nice thing about our location is that there are many other options to get places-Pilot Knob being the next best choice to get to Thompson.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Something must be off with that train map because the trains don't just disappear at 145th.

Yeah, I thought that was odd, too. A quick look at Expediamaps shows that the track splits at 145 St, with one branch going up to South St Paul, the other going to Mendota Heights.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

Yeah, I thought that was odd, too. A quick look at Expediamaps shows that the track splits at 145 St, with one branch going up to South St Paul, the other going to Mendota Heights.

That would make sense since Robert St. doesn't go to either of those towns. I don't pay much attention to the railroad tracks other then when I have to wait to cross a street when a train is going by.

[minnitransplant]

Thanks for the replies. We are looking at homes in the 196 school district and wanted to know if houses close to that are on option. I don't think at this point we will rule them out just yet.

[golfgal]

For the development in Rosemount that borders the train tracks, most of that area is far enough away to have too much noise from the trains but their is a car switching station near there that can get noisy at times. Just something to keep in mind. If you have questions about specific neighborhoods, etc. in the area you are looking let me know.

[sparksals]

I agree about S. Robert on the way to Eagan. I use that road to go to the Y and get behind a slowpoke and it's an annoying drive.