Eastwood/2nd ward property, heavy rail 20 ft from rear property line and 80 ft from house.. yay or nay? (Houston: dorm, neighborhood)

[Barry Precious Metalstein]

Long time lurker first time poster.

Curious if anyone has any insight into the aforementioned subject.

We are looking at multiple properties in this area, in this configuration. Does anyone know how often the train runs? Do they blow their horns at night?

My partner tells me the train cars come from Pasadena and the Port, usually loaded with chemicals such as gasoline, toluene, phosphoric acid, crude oil among others. Any truth to this assertion? Any history of derailment and is 80 ft enough of a buffer zone to be safe against this? Am I over thinking this?

Thank you kindly in advance for any unique insights.

[txdemo]

There is no way that I'd live that close to a rail line. Risk of derailment is very, very low but you can't put a value on simply being able to sit in your backyard and enjoy the peace and quiet.

[vegankris]

I live in Eastwood and the train runs right behind my house. I have a very long lot, but obviously I still hear the train. I'm totally used to it and it never wakes me or bothers me anymore. When I'm in the backyard I enjoy watching the train go by. But it really doesn't go by that often and the worst part is the horn. However the ECA is working to make our neighborhood a quiet zone.

I wouldn't live anywhere else in Houston. I love my neighborhood and the train isn't a big deal at all to me.

[Barry Precious Metalstein]

Originally Posted by vegankris

I live in Eastwood and the train runs right behind my house. I have a very long lot, but obviously I still hear the train. I'm totally used to it and it never wakes me or bothers me anymore. When I'm in the backyard I enjoy watching the train go by. But it really doesn't go by that often and the worst part is the horn. However the ECA is working to make our neighborhood a quiet zone.

I wouldn't live anywhere else in Houston. I love my neighborhood and the train isn't a big deal at all to me.

Thank you much for the information.
Does the train vibrate your house very much? Do you have to secure your trinkets and knick knacks?
When I was in college my dorm was about 500 ft from the train and it would vibrate everything including your abdomen. But it didn't take long for me to get used to it. But 80 ft away concerns me.
What concerns me more is what the train cars are hauling. Any ideas?
Thanks again.

[hendersj31]

I own a few properties in Eastwood and although not directly by the train tracks I do notice the train when it blows its horn. In my opinion it is quite loud. I have spent the night at one of the properties for a few weeks while remodeling and I really did notice it throughout the night.

Now I do not live there but would not let the train deter me as the neighborhood has potential. I plan to possibly move into one of the properties when the kids are grown up.

[vegankris]

Originally Posted by Barry Precious Metalstein

Thank you much for the information.
Does the train vibrate your house very much? Do you have to secure your trinkets and knick knacks?
When I was in college my dorm was about 500 ft from the train and it would vibrate everything including your abdomen. But it didn't take long for me to get used to it. But 80 ft away concerns me.
What concerns me more is what the train cars are hauling. Any ideas?
Thanks again.

No....it doesn't vibrate anything in the house...hahaha. I have no idea what the trains haul. I do know that everyday on the highways those big tanker trucks are carrying a lot of dangerous chemicals and they are much more prone to accidents. Yet we have no problem driving on the highways with them every single day.

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by Barry Precious Metalstein

Long time lurker first time poster.

Curious if anyone has any insight into the aforementioned subject.

We are looking at multiple properties in this area, in this configuration. Does anyone know how often the train runs? Do they blow their horns at night?

My partner tells me the train cars come from Pasadena and the Port, usually loaded with chemicals such as gasoline, toluene, phosphoric acid, crude oil among others. Any truth to this assertion? Any history of derailment and is 80 ft enough of a buffer zone to be safe against this? Am I over thinking this?

Thank you kindly in advance for any unique insights.

No, no - and to be clear - NO.

[Schumacher713]

No dangerous chemicals go through the middle of Houston. I heard you get used to the trains passing. There is a big discount on places near the tracks because of it.

[Neo45]

That actually sounds pretty cool......anyone have pics of how it looks?

[tstone]

If the train cars have a placard with 4 digits they have all the chemicals you listed and many many more.