UPDATE: I was at this same quiet zone yesterday around 11:30 AM and once again, the crossbars came down, the lights flashed and the train pulled up and blared it’s horn. Why did we build this if the RR isn’t going to bother using it? The recent passing of a transient trying to jump over a moving train is further proof that the trains DTSF need to go. I am hoping someone in Public Works has asked the RRs to use these quiet zones properly and STOP blaring the horn!
So they put a quiet zone RR crossing east of the new $20 Million dollar Non-Unity 6th Street bridge. How they are ‘supposed’ to work is the arms come down, there is a bunch of flashing lights, etc. It is called a quiet zone because ideally the trains won’t blow their whistles anymore going thru this intersection. I have suggested we have them all over DTSF.
So I was sitting at the crossing last week on my bike, and a train was approaching, the lights started flashing to stop and the cross arms came down. Then right before the intersection the engine stopped, which is normal protocol. The lights were flashing and the bars were down, and guess what Leroy the conductor did, blaired his horn.
So what was the purpose of this very expensive crossing? (I believe it cost like $1 million to build with money coming from the city, the DOT and the railroad). So what was the purpose if the trains are going to continue to blow their whistles?
The railroads have been doing what they want to for around 150 years. Did they really think they care if this is a quiet zone? Apparently not.
Now that you mention it – I’ve noticed more train horn/whistle noise at night. Like 2 AM. I thought it was due to loss of vegetation and the sound carrying more easily.
You gets what you pay for: No train whistle for approaching public grade crossing (ie: 6th Street).
However there are other train horn signals not covered by this agreement:
The General Code Of Operating Rules, used by many railroads, contains the following list of whistle signals and their meanings: Note: “o” denotes a short sound; while a “—” is for a longer sound.
— When stopped, air brakes applied, pressure equalized.
— — Release brakes, proceed.
0 0 Acknowledgement of any signal not otherwise provided for.
0 0 0 When stopped, back up; acknowledgement of hand signal to back up.
0 0 0 0 Request for signal to be given or repeated if not understood.
— o Approaching men or equipment on or near the track, regardless of any whistle prohibitions.
A series of short blasts is sounded in an emergency.
Reminds me of an open house showing along S Arden Ave where one potential buyer was told trains do not run at night,
Ob, thank you for the research, I know they have a system.
RV, I live within blocks of 4 different tracks, the trains run all night. During harvest I will hear a train whistle every 30 minutes or so. I actually wear earplugs during this time of the season so I can sleep. So annoying. The RR’s have carte blanche.