Train whistles. You either hate them, don’t mind them, or you’ve just grown used to them.
Sandra Poulton has lived in Preston for most of her life and says that some nights, the sound can be more than annoying.
“I grew up with the train tracks right in my back yard. So, it’s not like this is something that I haven’t lived with my whole life,” Poulton said.
“Some of my neighbours have just grown used to it. I live in a building with a lot of elderly people so some can’t hear it anyway, but my hearing is just fine. I suffer from insomnia, so on those rare nights when I am deeply asleep, I really resent being woken up.”
The sound of train whistles can often exceed 96 decibels.
After fielding a number of complaints about the sound of train whistles in some Cambridge neighbourhoods, the city's director of engineering Kevin De Leebeeck said the city is conducting a review of a number of crossings to determine the cost and feasibility of putting an end to the noise.
“We’re currently conducting a review of remaining at-grade railway crossings to determine if whistle cessation could be implemented in accordance with Transport Canada Grade Crossings Regulations and Grade Crossings Standards.”
Rail and Reason is a blog for people affected by railway noise pollution and raises concerns about the impact that rail operations have on the environment, and on human health.
According to Rail and Reason, noise pollution increasingly falls under scrutiny from medical and scientific fields of research and has negative impacts on human health.
The blog offers people the opportunity to discuss their problems, post examples of various types of railway noise, particularly those that occur late at night, and address the impact that railway operations can have on the environment.
Rail and Reason says it hasn’t helped, that in numerous communities, rail operations can be at their peak during the middle of the night.
Corey Kimpson, Ward 3 councillor for the City of Cambridge, says that she hears the train whistles regularly.
“As a Preston resident myself, I too hear the train whistles at my home. I am aware that there are some community members who have expressed concerns about what they feel is an increased frequency of the train whistles,” Kimpson said.
“It is my understanding that staff at the City of Cambridge are actively working on this issue with the railway to see what can be done to mitigate any disruption to residents while ensuring safety of the community.”
De Leebeeck said that the city is also in preliminary discussions with CN Rail regarding the potential decommissioning of their railway corridor through Preston.
The CN and CP rail lines curve in through opposite ends of Eagle Street before running parallel near Coronation Boulevard, but the CN line hasn't been used in years and isn't regularly maintained.
Railway Authorities and Municipalities are governed by Transport Canada regulations for railway corridors and public crossings. According to Transport Canada public road crossing safety regulations, a rail authority is required to whistle at least 400m before any road crossing, unless a whistle cessation order is in place.
Train whistles are safety devices that alert vehicular and pedestrian traffic to the presence of an approaching train and warn trespassers away from the railway.
“Even with a whistle cessation order in place, train crews may still whistle if there is a work project in the area in order to notify the working crews on, or near, the track that a train is approaching,” De Leebeeck said.
While the Canadian Rail Operating Rules require trains to whistle at public grade crossings, municipalities can go through the process of silencing them.
The following at-grade railway crossing locations in Cambridge that currently have whistle cessation orders include:
- Fountain Street south of Cherry Blossom Road
- Rogers Drive
- Eagle Street
- Westminster Drive
- Lawrence Street/Laurel Street
- Concession Road
- Cherry Blossom Road
According to Transport Canada, train whistling is required by law. Even though the noise can sometimes be bothersome, most people understand and accept the very important safety reasons behind their usage.
“Often times, I can see the train from my balcony. During the day, they barely toot that horn and that is when there is traffic. But at 2 a.m. in the morning, you can fire a canon down King St. and you’d be lucky to hit anything,” Poulton said.
“So, why is it necessary to lean on that horn and just let it rip? I don’t understand. It’s not all of the drivers. You can tell when certain ones are on shift, when the train comes through, and some just lean on it. And then there are others that are much shorter.”
Poulton says she is aware that crossings are all protected.
“They all have lights and barriers. I don’t know how long they are allowed to blast that horn or not,” Poulton said.
Municipalities can apply to have whistling cease in their jurisdictions, and if approved, can enact specific anti-whistling bylaws. Trains are normally required to whistle for at least 400 meters before entering a public crossing.
The speed of the train affects the duration length of the whistle.
Trains are required to sound the engine whistle continuously starting at a quarter of a mile before all public crossings or 20-25 seconds before occupying the crossing, whichever is less. They are also required to whistle, at frequent intervals when view is restricted by weather or track curvature.
However, under very specific circumstances and under strict regulation, whistling may be waived for a specific crossing or crossings.
“I think the city should certainly review what regulations there are on the sounding of the train whistle and make it known how long trains are allowed to blast their horns. Because some nights, it just seems to go on and on,” Poulton said.
“I realize that they have to work all night, but the rest of us would really appreciate some sleep.”.
For more information visit the Transport Canada website.
