Train horn quiet zone nears

[Paul]

I think it's absolutely pathetic that a town would pick peace and quiet over safety any day. And that's all this amounts to.

[resident]

Paul wrote:

I think it's absolutely pathetic that a town would pick peace and quiet over safety any day. And that's all this amounts to.

Why dont you check the safety record of the difference between the two systems before you make such a statement.

[Near tracks-Buffalo Grove]

For some reason every place I've lived have always been right near some RR tracks. I've gotten used to the horns and the rumbling of the earth, and my house, as it shakes when a train goes by. If I have company sleep over, they complain but I don't care because their stay is temporary. What's the big deal about the horn if you live by tracks? After a short time you get used to it. BESIDES, IF IT'S THAT BOTHERSOME, DON'T MOVE NEAR THE TRACKS AND STOP COMPLAINING!

[Near tracks-Buffalo Grove]

Why are so many North Shore kids spoiled brats with no manners? Did their parents ever teach them to say please and thank you? I'm so sick of these kids that expect everything to be handed them on a silver platter. It's disgusting.

[Near tracks-Buffalo Grove]

OOOPS, meant to start my previous comment with a new topic heading.

[A Texan]

Just two weeks ago a five year old boy was digging for "dinosaur bones" on a railroad track in a quiet zone in Fort Worth, Texas. He was with his 5 year old friend and 7 year old brother. It was starting to get dark and a train came sounding its horn because the kids were seen. A train cannot stop on an instant. It can take up to a mile to stop depending on the length and weight of the train. Just stop and think about that for a moment.
Two of the boys were able to run, but the 5 year old's foot got stuck and he was killed.
How do you think the Engineer felt as he watched this happen? What was going through the mind of the 7 year old brother watching helplessly?
Whether it is a quiet zone or not...teach kids never to play on tracks and never drive around gates to beat a train. Everyone must repect the trains.
If you choose to live near railroad tracks then you will get used to the noise. If it is a quiet zone and accidents happen it is not the train's fault. People must take reponsibililty for their actions. Teach your children and keep reinforcing it. And be sure to practice what you preach.

[SarahK2007]

Trying Not To Laugh wrote:

"Car hit by train in 'quiet zone' occupants killed, family sues town(s)"
Wait for it, it's coming.

I agree. I actually think quiet zones are a dumb idea... if you don't like it... move. I'd much rather have the horns than deaths.

[Near tracks-Buffalo Grove]

Dave Cohen wrote:

Since I live in Buffalo Grove and am not that far from the train tracks, i'd have to say that I am happy. It's about time my politicians did something good for the community.
Dave
www.davescomputerserv.com

If the politicians wanted to do something worthwhile, they'd stop all the building of these large homes on postage stamp sized lots. Don't we have enough homes already and isn't traffic horrendous enough? How about all the open spaces that we used to have becoming extinct? I moved here because it wasn't crowded now I'm sorry I did.
Resident of 10 years now.

[Samantha]

You people live by a damn train and then talk

[fka Antioch Resident]

Samantha wrote:

You people live by a damn train and then talk

I do. Thanks.
So far, so good, but I'd still rather have the horns.

[Concerned1]

I think train horns on trains is the least of the problem. If you haven't heard, the newest fad is for kids to put train horns on their vehicles and blair them any time they'd like. It's already becoming a major problem in many urban areas inside the US. I did a quick search for train horns at google, and nearly all of the results were retailers that sell train horns to install on cars. The top results were http://www.pbmissions.com and http://www.hornblasers.com . Why is it okay to put these on cars anyway?

[jon2112]

trainman wrote:

When cars and people quit going around gates I'll be for no train horns. Until then...horn away. P.S. I'll have no sympathy for one who gets leveled by a train in one of these communities.

THIS COMMENT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL!!! IF A CAR SEES THE GATES DOWN AND DRIVES AROUND THE GATES, OBVIOUSLY THEY KNOW A TRAIN IS COMING AND THE HORN BLOWING IS NOT NEEDED. DUH! The Horn is not going to change any drivers mind or give any more warning than they already possess via the gates. This is why it is sufficient to do away with horn blowing all together - the gates give all the warning that is needed. You obviously don't live where you have to hear trains blowing at 4 a.m. and 30 to 40 times a day!

[jon2112]

Paul wrote:

I think it's absolutely pathetic that a town would pick peace and quiet over safety any day. And that's all this amounts to.

Safety is already provided for via the use of gates at crossings. Anyone else on the tracks anywhere is breaking the law and flirting with death. So why do the masses with common sense have to pay the price of the few idiots that race the trains across the tracks or don't mind their children who end up running off and playing on railroad tracks? The horns are only needed for idiots who don't mind the fact they are near tracks - AFTER ALL, it is impossible to NOT know the tracks are there unless you are blind. Horn blowing is not needed all together let alone having to establish quiet zones. Anyone with common sense knows to pay attention at the tracks like you pay attention to crossing a street. Train Horns should only be used as an actual warning to an emergency situation (like someone on the tracks ahead) and not a ritual.

As far as other comments saying to just move away or don't live near tracks, it is too expensive to just move and additionally, some people who moved in to their homes (in my neighborhood for example) never heard the train while looking at the home prior to purchase and never expected a train crossing 1/2 mile away would be so audible, especially on a day when high winds carry the sound waves for miles. And unless you lived anywhere remotely near tracks before, you would not realize this could be an issue. Its COMMON SENSE, horns are NOT needed. Using them is just another way for those with disrespect to have an alibi to dodge responsibility and accountability to their own health and survival. After all, if I jumped in front of your car and you hit me, can I blame you for not using you horn first?

This society needs to do away with adding more noise pollution to increase safety, PERIOD! What this society needs is a large dose of common sense and accountability for their actions!

“I am responsible for MY OWN safety; you are not. Thus YOU do NOT need to warn the rest of the world what you are doing just to let me know.”

DO AWAY WITH TRAIN HORNS (and Backup Beepers too!)

[Matt Zarnstorff]

We need this in Silver Lake, WI badly!

[Horny Guy]

For those whoe prefer safety over noise pollution.

I think you should go further. You should make all car drivers push their horns on the streets and highways. This will alert other drivers and pedestrians and will reduce car accidents and deaths. Right?

And by the way, give me your addresses and I will drive by at 4 am and push horns a couple of times near your house for safety reasons.

Have good and peaceful night

[Evan]

I think the horns are necessary. I was on a METRA train when it hit a kid on a bike. He was listening to music and didn't hear the train coming (he survived with a broken arm). I have seen people drive around the gate and stop on the tracks to get a few feet ahead--while waiting for a traffic light to turn green! I know the noise is a nuisance, but those horns prevent accidents.

[Hard of Hearing]

Evan wrote:

I think the horns are necessary. I was on a METRA train when it hit a kid on a bike. He was listening to music and didn't hear the train coming (he survived with a broken arm). I have seen people drive around the gate and stop on the tracks to get a few feet ahead--while waiting for a traffic light to turn green! I know the noise is a nuisance, but those horns prevent accidents.

Evan, It's called survival of the fittest. What you are advocating is disrupting the entire mile or two surrounding all crossings becasue someone is so stupid that they drive around a gate or inch onto a railroad track to get a few feet further. The world would be a better place with a few less stupid people Evan. How deeply into the nanny state should we go? Whould we require horns at every street crossing as well; far more people are injured there than on the tracks? How about a horn in the home, blowing every thirty seconds; after all, that's where most accidents happen, isn't it?

[Hard of Hearing]

Horny Guy wrote:

For those whoe prefer safety over noise pollution.
I think you should go further. You should make all car drivers push their horns on the streets and highways. This will alert other drivers and pedestrians and will reduce car accidents and deaths. Right?
And by the way, give me your addresses and I will drive by at 4 am and push horns a couple of times near your house for safety reasons.
Have good and peaceful night

I didn't read this untill I responded to Evan, I like the way you think but I can do you one better; as soon as you put the key in the ignition, the horn will immediatly start and continue non-stop until you reach your destination. This would eliminate so many accidents it would be rediculous. After all, no one would want to drive. Great idea Evan!

[jegler]

I'm glad to see there's a dialog about this matter. It probably boils down to three camps:
A. People who live near the train and are constantly punished by the noise (me)
B. People who don't live near the tracks and figure,"all things being equal, It's probably better to have a horn than not."
C. and those who think they can legislate against stupid drivers.
Everyone (mostly) has brought up good points on the issues. I just think there has GOT to be a better way to deal with crossing safety than by blowing a 175dB train horn all the way through town (I live in Macomb) all day all night every day and every night. It's literally driving me mad.