I know… no respect for us vampires C-trick workers.
I do know there are laws and reasons why they have to sound their horns. We are placed right in the middle of a few crossings so as I stated, it’s constant. I blame being new to Ohio period, and this area, and ourselves for not noticing this, but just wanted help. I know moving them would be out of the question…just wanted to quiet them lol. Thanks for the help.
Also it would be interesting to find out the statistics about Springfield. I’m curious to know the cost of this, and the amount their taxes increased due to this.
Self-help is going to be your best remedy here.
Since you’re only about 30 miles southeast of Cleveland, you should be able to find a noise abatement expert/ acoustical engineer, and/ or an architect with expertise in the problem. A phone call and a couple hundred dollars for the expert to come out for site visit ought to tell you if there if some hope for you at a reasonable cost.
Noise abatement is now a mature science, since the FAA has been subsidizing it at many airports, and this problem is of like kind - periodic low-frequency roars and tones. Although I’m no expert, I believe that steps such as replacing existing windows and glass doors with triple-pane ones with a noise-absorbing film or fabric go a long ways towards reducing the problem, as well as adding insulation to the exterior walls that are closest to the source of the sound. [My house has 6" concrete walls with 2-1/2’ foam insulation on both sides and triple-glazed windows mainly for energy efficiency reasons, but another fortunate result is that I can’t really hear the Harley-Davidson motorcycles roaring out of the BBQ roadhouse and down the road on the other side of the block, nor the jets climbing out from the airport a few miles away - which is how I know about the FAA noise abatement program - nor the neighbor’s lawn tractor, barking dogs, etc.] Both of these steps will also help out with your heating and cooling bills, and as such may qualify for tax credits. Further steps would be to remove the existing drywall and replace it with new and thicker - such as 5/8" thick or maybe a double-layer of 3/8" or 1/2" thickness - mounted on a sound-deadening material between it and the wall studs, such as rubber washers or a Z-shape thin steel piece; again, improve the insulation in the wall cavity behind the drywall while you’re at it, as some are better than others at absorbing certain noise levels. Finally
Thank you Paul! My husband mentioned to me Friday night when the trains were so bad, that we needed to get someone out to see if they can soundproof our bedroom. My reply was what about the kids who live here too and guests who stay…everyone else is annoyed am can’t sleep but us? Lol. I would LOVE to open the windows on a night like tonight, but we just can’t - not unless we want to wake up constantly. Our house is a colonial, and all bedroom are upstairs, so I’m sure it doesn’t help matters?
All those things sound costly, especially considering we put down everything we had to buy our first home. It was built in 99, has nice pella windows, but I doubt they are triple pane. So the house isn’t terribly old, however mote than likely missing some of the better, more energy efficient products. I guess the first step in knowing what can be done would be to get someone out here for an estimate. Thanks for the help Paul. I appreciate it.
Is the requirement that all trains sound - - . - with a horn at all non quiet zone grade crossings obsolete? Is it still around because no one will take the responsibility for removing it? Does it really do any good?
Autos have changed since the requirement was long ago introduced. People now drive around in sealed up climate controlled autos listening to tunes and/or the radio. Do they actually hear the horn when approaching a crossing? What would be the actual change in train-auto collisions if the trains didn’t sound the horn at crossings protected with lights and gates?
I think it’s time to get answers to these questions instead of mindlesly continuing a requirement that was established a long time ago.
Sue the real estate agent. Full disclosure laws may be a relief.
To the OP:
You have my sincere sympathy. I live within earshot of the main line between Hamburg and Bremen. There are over 200 train movements each day. I am just glad that German trains are not as “noisy” as the trains in the US and Canada, which seems to be constantly sounding their horns & bells. May be that´s one of the reasons why trains are not too popular over at your end of the Big Pond.
Sound proofing your windows will certainly help to a degree. How are your neighbors coping with the situation? May be you could team up with them and address the issue with your city administration and CSX.
Noise will make you ill.
Oh geez! I think I would lose my mind if I had to hear that many trains per day.
Being new to the street, I haven’t met a alot of people yet, but the ones I have met, I always ask them if the train noise bothers them. Most have said yes it drives them crazy, and some that have been here for 12-13 years say they are used to it and it doesn’t bother them unless they are awake. There were 4 houses for sale at one time (since Aug. 2011)
on our dead end street - ours being one of them. It was for sale for 8 months and I often wonder if this was a factor. One just sold (lady said the trains are unreal and drive her crazy too), and the other 2 been on the market for a while and just keep reducing their price. Trust me lesson learned the hard way on this deal.
I was going to contact Ravenna officials about this to see what my next step would be or if I’m fighting a losing battle. I can’t imagine I’m the only one near the tracks that has complained.
Soundproofing the windows is an idea, but upstairs alone we have 8 windows and that could be costly I’m assuming? Still doesn’t solve the issue of having to run the air all spring/summer long because we can’t open our windows at night. The day time trains I can tolerate, it’s the traffic at night that I have an issue with. That seems to be the time their routes begin because it just seems to quadruple in noise and traffic.
I did find a website for Portage county that lists all the crossings, and the train traffic data within last few years, and if I’m reading it right, there are 30 per day and 30 per night? From what I noticed it picks up at night…alot! Also, the sites states if there are gates, alarms, etc.
I have my work cut out for me, but I’ve found with help of responses to my post, a good start.
Here is that website if anyone was interested in the traffic through this area:
http://www.ohiorail.ohio.gov/crossings.php
&nb
Christie,
when we moved into our place, I thought I will go crazy. At night, it felt like the trains going straight through our bedroom .German trains are a lot less noisy, no horns, no bells, no grumbling sound of hard working Diesels. The line is all electric, so there is just a hum. The noisiest are our high speed trains, although there is a speed limit imposed. They still do 130 mph…
Now that the weather is warming - I wonder how long it will be that in addition to the sounds of trains, the perfume of livestock in the rural area of Rootstown will become a problem?
Hmm sensed a little sarcasm there perhaps? I don’t think I have that to worry about in my area, although I’m sure in most areas that’s an issue. My issue is the train noise pollution…period.
Not trying to stir the pot here, I was just looking for help or to find any others that live in my area and have the same concerns I do.
BaltACD - the OP has a genuine problem, which she would like to discuss here. No need to be sarcastic or abusive.
A train buff forum may not be the right place for this discussion, but as long as it stays civil and helpful, I´ll let go and won´t lock this thread.
I have personally spent time in Rootstown and most of NE Ohio. Get used to the area or move! City types that come to the country had best accept the country for what it is - because it is what it is.
I write up too many train vs. vehicle collisions to have any sympathy. Fortunately, I am no longer a line of road field official and don’t have to investigate these incidents any longer.
What makes you think I’m “city type”? I come from a rural area in Michigan…so I’m used to trains, the smell of animal poop in fields, loud neighbors an their cara, barking dogs, and a small town. NONE of which are an issue with me. Again, it is the mere noise pollution at night, bu the trains, in my area. Period. Unless you have lived on my street, tried to sleep, tried to get your kids to stay asleep with this train noise, I should not have to take a brow beating on here or my concerns! I came here for help. There is no need for you to respond since you clearly have an issue.
This thread is now where I don´t want it to be. It is not any longer helpful, nor informative. Christie, I hope you have received some info which can be of use to you to get your issue solved.
This thread will now be locked.