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Re: Neighbors In San Dimas Appeal For Silencing Of Train Horns
Author: J Mann
Date: 05-13-2016 - 09:04
I always wonder why creating quiet zones cost so much. From what I've seen all they do is add islands in the middle of the street and extra gates. How can that cost so much on a crossing that is already gated? As it is right now people do not stop for trains because they hear a horn. They stop because of the flashing lights and because the gates are down. The FRA horn rule is really outdated.
And the comment by Metrolink about having to start honking a quarter of a mile from the crossing is wrong. The FRA rule is that you have to start blowing the standard crossing horn (two longs a short and a long) far enough ahead of the crossing so that you can do the whole thing with the last note finishing as you enter the crossing. If a train is going 10mph that would only be about 150 feet from the crossing. Metrolink away from the stations at 70mph it would be about a quarter mile. As the speed varies the distance you honk before the crossing varies. It is also why some engineers will drag out the last note - they misjudged the distance and had to drag the note to get onto the crossing.
And the comment by Metrolink about having to start honking a quarter of a mile from the crossing is wrong. The FRA rule is that you have to start blowing the standard crossing horn (two longs a short and a long) far enough ahead of the crossing so that you can do the whole thing with the last note finishing as you enter the crossing. If a train is going 10mph that would only be about 150 feet from the crossing. Metrolink away from the stations at 70mph it would be about a quarter mile. As the speed varies the distance you honk before the crossing varies. It is also why some engineers will drag out the last note - they misjudged the distance and had to drag the note to get onto the crossing.
