Don Levasheff Wrote:
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> I recently overnighted in The Dalles and Pendleton
> Oregon. In those towns are "No Train Horn Blowing"
> restrictions at crossings. It appeared all
> crossings are regulated with warning devices. For
> me, however it seemed there was an increased
> element of danger with trains going through town
> at speed with just bells as a warning. With ribbon
> rail trains are much quieter. I'm wondering how
> railroad crews and management feel about such
> ordinances that local communities create and the
> agreements made with the railroad. I would suppose
> that the towns accept the responsibility for any
> mishaps. Any thoughts or information is
> appreciated.

1) As information, the western suburbs of Chicago are all pretty much "quiet zones", and have been since back in the days of steam locomotives, on both the CB&Q and former C&NW multiple track main lines.

2) Just because there is a "quiet zone" does NOT mean that the Engineer can not use the whistle/horn in the event of a perceived "emergency". It is not uncommon for a METRA express commuter train, running at speed on the middle track, to use the horn when approaching a stopped & unloading METRA commuter train on an adjacent track. Use of the horn in such situations helps prevent any passengers from walking around the front/rear of the stopped train in order to cross the tracks right in the path of the on-coming express.

Such "quiet zones" have been working well in the Chicago suburbs for some 70 years or so.