why is the Mopac train so unbearably loud in the night?

[scm53]

Originally Posted by clarksvillemom

Is there some law or TxDot regulation that requires so much? I would have thought that a short warning horn would be enough in the middle of the night - but often it just seems to go on and on

It is a Federal Railway Administration rule that trains must sound their whistle for 15-20 seconds at all grade crossings. There is a provision that allows local governments to create "quiet zones" where required, most often by the installation of gates that block all four quadrants of the crossing. This is the route that Cap Metro took. Problem is, those gates cost anywhere from $300K to $500K each to install, and another $4K to $10K annually to maintain. Union Pacific has no interest in paying for that, so your best bet is the COA.

[clarksvillemom]

Let the record show that I affirmatively do not, I repeat, do not have my panties in a wad.

[TexasHorseLady]

Didn't think you did! I used to get my panties in a wad about it until I had that experience.

[tibbar]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I can remember years and years ago almost dying at a train crossing because of no horn. It was long enough ago that the train tracks actually crossed Anderson Lane rather than Anderson Lane having the bridge over them. My husband and I were headed home late at night and as we approached the crossing, I glanced to the left just in time to scream "STOP!" to my husband and we stopped just short as the train (which had not blown its horn, AND the warning lights had malfunctioned) blew past us where we would have been crossing the tracks if I hadn't looked left at just the moment I did.

So, with that experience, in which TWO safety systems (the lights, and the train being required to blow its horn before a crossing) broke down, I don't get my panties in a wad if I'm awakened in the night by a train horn. Better that than someone being killed.

You were very lucky! If you heard about the April 30th Metro crash, those are 2 of my Grandsons.

[Trainwreck20]

I remember the accident...I hope the kids are okay, I never did see a follow-up saying one way or the other.

[tibbar]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

I remember the accident...I hope the kids are okay, I never did see a follow-up saying one way or the other.

They will be "OK" in time. When the reporters say "non life threatening injuries" that doesn't mean there aren't weeks in ICU and multiple surgeries (7 and counting on the 5 year old) to get back to almost as good as they were. These boys will be repaired but it is truly heartbreaking to see the babies and young children there with illnesses that are sucking the life out of them. In that sense my Grandsons got of easy.

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by scm53

It is a Federal Railway Administration rule that trains must sound their whistle for 15-20 seconds at all grade crossings. There is a provision that allows local governments to create "quiet zones" where required, most often by the installation of gates that block all four quadrants of the crossing. This is the route that Cap Metro took. Problem is, those gates cost anywhere from $300K to $500K each to install, and another $4K to $10K annually to maintain. Union Pacific has no interest in paying for that, so your best bet is the COA.

Alot of states are just forcing RR's to pay the full costs , in Europe and Asian those types of crossings are standard I don't why were just catching on now...

[Tralfaz]

After living for a year in a townhouse about 50 feet from a cargo train line, I've decided NEVAR AGAIN.. The whole house would shake at 2am on a Sunday, and even without horns blowing it was just unbearable.. While I look for a house to buy, I make sure to look for at least a quarter mile away from any tracks..