Train in downtown Ft Collins (Fort Collins, Burlington: condo, living, moving to)

[anyya]

I am seriously considering moving to Ft Collins and would love to live in a downtown loft/condo. But during my last visit, I was very surprised to see train tracks going right through the middle of downtown! How disturbing is the train for those who live near by??

[tfox]

I'm not sure how the noise issue affects things, but it is quite a pain waiting for the trains at crossings. They tend to come through at night, and mostly just roll and by at 5 miles an hour. I don't think they routinely blow horns at level crossings, thankfully, but don't quote me on that. So, if you're out late, you could be sitting at railroad crossing for 15-20 minutes or so!

There's no chance of the tracks ever actually going away, but there is talk about routing most of the trains out east by building tracks that will bypass the major cities for the front range. It seems to be one of those things that "will happen for sure," "if we can find money for it." So, who knows?

[Tom Emmerling]

I have never heard of anyone complain about the train noise in downtown Fort Collins, but as tfox said it is a big issue in the daytime when trains block the intersections. Mainly this is along Vine street and Lemay and Riverside and Riverside and Mulberry.

[BlueWillowPlate]

FWIW:
I used to live on Howes, adjacent to the Mason Street tracks.
The train constantly went by, through the night.
Not only did I get used to the sound, it eventually became rather soothing.
Many years later, I once again live near the sound of a train, though this one is farther away and the sound more subtle. I like it.

[anyya]

Thanks!

[Rumblebelly]

I've lived close to train tracks before, maybe 4 blocks away. Not in Fort Collins though. It really, really sucks at first but after a few months you get used to it.

In Fort Collins, we lived about 1/2 mile from the tracks and I could hear the train go through town several times a night. I got used to that as well but it took a while.

[ScottSells Homes]

I do have a friend living near the tracks-they said that you get use to them going through at night.

[westernnative2008]

I am from Fort Collins and I know how annoying the trains can be. Back-up after back-up of traffic and you will end up waiting half an hour or 45 minutes just to get two blocks! If you are moving to Fort Collins, planning to...PREPARE to wait for the trains!

However, the train (Burlington Northern) has rights to the land in Fort Collins and has for many, many, many years and has come through Fort Collins for decades. It may not be convenient, but it's a fact and I don't see how Fort Collins, those who will complain can do anything about it. I guess Fort Collins didn't have the foresight to see that overpasses might be handy! Cheyenne uses them..I just wonder why Fort Collins didn't think of it also?!...

[Crazy88]

I live on Mason (where the tracks are) and the horn is pretty loud. But you get used to it. I actually kinda like hearing the horn, probably because I find locomotives fascinating.

As far as traffic goes. Yes it gets backed up, and if you get mad at traffic being backed up in a small town like Fort Collins you have probably never experienced big city traffic, because its really not bad at all

[FCgal]

I moved to Fort Collins a few months ago and live in one of the condo buildings downtown. The trains come by morning noon and night (I'm not just talking 8pm, I'm talking 2, 3, 4, 5am) and they are <<<loud>>>. Forget about leaving your windows open. Everyone has their limits on what they are willing to live with, so my advice is to make sure you know what you are getting into before you sign anything. PS, before moving to FC, I lived around the corner from a firehouse in one of the largest cities in the U.S. (so when I say the trains are loud, they are loud). That being said, living downtown in FC is awesome. We have so much fun living so close to nightlife, and for us, the train was a tradeoff we were willing to make.

Re: traffic, I agree with Crazy88...traffic is not bad at all especially if you are from a larger town/city.

Good luck with your search! If you have any other questions feel free to contact me directly.