Love that wake up call, beats the cat.

One foot on the floor

This ENGINEER is not just blowing at the crossings. They are holding steady for 30-40 seconds at least. The morning that started this blog was exceptionally ridiculous. The horn literally sounded from @ 5 - 530 steady. If this was to clear the track, maybe they should have used the push rails instead. BTW there is only one crossing for them to cross close to me.

I'm not exactly sure what is near you such as railroad crossings, but there are regulations about how often and how long the train horn must be sounded before an intersection. I learned this while researching train vs. vehicle collisions. Here's an excerpt:

Outside of quiet zones, railroads must sound the horn 15-20 seconds prior to arrival at the crossing, but not more than 1/4 mile in advance of the crossing.
Note: Most State laws and railroad rules currently require that the horn be sounded for 1/4 mile in advance of the crossing. Under the rule, for trains running at less than 45 mph, this will reduce the time and distance over which the horn is sounded. This will reduce noise impacts on the local community.
$ The pattern for sounding the horn will remain as it currently exists today (two long, one short, one long repeated or prolonged until the locomotive traverses the crossing).
check it out at http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/safety/train_horn_rule/RolloutSummary121603.pdf#search=%22train%20horn%20regulations%22

This very issue came up when Planterra Ridge was built and SOME of the new homeowners didn't quite comprehend that those train tracks they were driving over actually had trains using them. Amazing!

What happened then was that some Planterrans went to City Council and whined like only Planterrans can......excessive, annoying, can't-stay-on-point, etc. City Council of PTC said they would "look into it." In other words, they said "forget this BS and let's move on to something important."

You see railroad crossings? Guess what? THERE ARE TRAINS USING THEM! Duh! They are required to blast noise when coming to crossings that are travelled upon. This simply befuddles some people.

What do you expect from a subdivision that crashed Fayette County's 911 system because of all the calls about the noise from the Air Show?

NUK

It is not a horn, it is a whistle.

As to your question, the person to contact is Rich Parlionterri who was on city council in the late 1980's or early 1990's when he proposed a total ban on CSX train whistles. In fact he even introduced an ordinance banning them.

Ever since then CSX blows their whistles earlier, longer and louder. Thanks a lot Rich.

As far as contacting him, I believe he is in North Cove. Not sure whether or not they hear the train whistles up there, but ask when you knock on his door at 5 AM. I think it is the first one on the right (or maybe the left) - just look for a black MB - he's that kind of guy.
meow

Actually, as a 35 yr. old working mother, I do get up early to go to work but just not that early. I have lived in this wonderful city for close to 3 years and have heard the horn before in the past. However, during the past two weeks it seems (to me) to be remarkable in the length of time and frequency that the horn is blown.

Also, ragnarock 47, thanks for the "choo-choo" mini-lesson as I was unaware as to who actually "manned the horn".

As to the safety issue, I am completely aware that it is a mandate however, based on my conversation with a gentleman from the CSX ethics hotline (1-800-737-1663)-where one can lodge a complaint, it is a possibility that this particular engineer might be a little heavy handed.

Don't worry. In about 5 years you'll have to get up that early each morning to get to work, so the train whistle could be your wake-up call!

If I lived in PTC I would be hammering my legislators to create another access point to the Interstate. Some posters here have said it can take quite a while already, and the Coweta mega developments are only gonna pile it on (don't forget Senoia).

Thus the train runs through PTC. At every crossing they must blow the horn a certain amount of times. There are actually signs on the tracks to indicate this. Be thankful they do this, for sometimes people get hit by trains, and the result isn't pretty.

We called last year to inquire about the odd hours that the engineers were tooting their horns. CSX said it was to get or keep deer off of the tracks. Don't yell at the messenger. Just repeating what was told to me, I don't buy it either!

I know it's a minor thing, but conductors don't blow train horns or ring the bells. It is the engineer. An engineer is in charge of the engine and the conductor is in charge of the train minus the engine...which leaves the cars.

As for the horn blowing at 5am, if you were one of the many people who had one of your friends or family die due to a railroad crossing accident, I would imagine the horn blowing would be ok. In 2004 369 people died at rail crossings. If the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) did not set the parameters for when trains needed to blow their horn, I am 99.9% that it would be way more than 369 people who died in 2004. The FRA has the same functions as the regulatory body for the airlines, the FAA. Again, it is the FRA who decides when, where, and how horns are blown on trains. CSX has no say in the matter.

I'd way rather be inconvenienced by an early wake up call than have a 400,000 pound piece of equipment with 4000 hp crush someone I know.

Now, the FRA and the railroads are working on a solution. It is costly and if I am not mistaken, it is the cities/towns who foot the bill: http://www.topix.net/content/trb/2683358472126101290627816359153586884873?threadid=2GV10C3KL7GM0U7M

Hey Misesquire, the noise is the least of your worries! One day take a look what the trains are hauling. Even worse, they are parking all that hazardous stuff a couple of hundred feet away from peoples houses. Just wait until that tanker loaded with chlorine leaks or derails, you won't hear a thing after that.

Where have you been? They've been doing this for as long as I can remember.

I am up so why not everyone else. You know, misery loves company. Anybody have a number for CSX?? Seems like they should know who to refer you to at least.

Your blog reminds me of that scene in My Cousin Vinnie....where the train comes throught at 5 am in the morning and poor Vinnie can't get any sleep.