Its bad enough that the train is loud but the horn is horn excessively and blast you out of bed.

there are lighted large crossing gates on both Fairview and Swarthmore Aves.

The train engineers/drivers are required to blow the train horn in precise increments when approaching a crossing at a level grade such as swarthmore avenue. In this instance the horn is blown three long bursts and one short burst. This is done at every crossing along the line. This will never change since this line handles multiple types of cargo, including hazardous materials via tank cars.

Didnt notice the train in such close proximity to the house you are living in before you moved in???

Of course I noticed the train. Maybe the train engineers/drivers need to be re-trained because the horn is blown more then the three long bursts and one short burst. I have counted 6 bursts multiple times and sometimes even more then that.

It is the law and is enforced here because a young child died on those tracks when a train did not blow the whistle and the boy never heard it coming.

I agree this train lands on the horn in early morning, they need to stick that horn ........

This RR line isn't needed anymore. They could close it down. The auto lot for the new cars is the only reason they keep it open. Even the Orange juice train from Florida could use the Amtrak line.

How did you come by that information? They use that RR for many different types of freight. I see a lot more than auto cars on those trains. I see Dole, trucking lines, etc. In fact, I don't see auto cars at all. And no, they can't use the Amtrak lines. With some puzzling exceptions, those lines are reserved for passenger trains except between 10:00pm and 6:00am (almost the same hours the reporter of this is complaining about). And I've seen freight trains on that line as far south as south of Wilmington, Delaware.

How's the train noise been lately? And specifically, could you mention which track line makes the most noise. The train whistles I hear are from the CSX by the soon-to-come Super-WaWa on Swarthmore at Harper's old Hardware store. As for the Amtrak lines, late at night I've seen freight trains there too, but not heard their monstrously-loud horns...yet

RidleyParkOnline,
You won't hear any CSX train horns on the Amtrak lines b/c there are no in-grade crossings from at least Center City Philadelphia to south of Wilmington, Delaware. I know this b/c I used to commute at various times of my life through or to all of that span and looked out of the train for the entire trip. I think part of the problem is that the freight train has to blow his horn at two crossings: Fairview and Swarthmore. Those two are not very far apart.

This content is currently blocked. The content is either under review by SeeClickFix or has been confirmed by SeeClickFix for violation(s) of SeeClickFix Terms of Use (https://www.civicplus.com/terms-of-service). Content that aligns with SeeClickFix Terms of Use will be posted, and content that does not align with our Terms of Use will not be permitted for public viewing.

@Rp Resident, great info about the Amtrak tracks and the grade heading south, and I think you're right, the problem are the freight trains blowing their horns at Fairview & Swarthmore.

RP Guy writes "the train engineers/drivers are required to blow the train horn in precise increments when approaching a crossing at a level grade such as Swarthmore avenue. In this instance the horn is blown three long bursts and one short burst. This is done at every crossing along the line. This will never change since this line handles multiple types of cargo, including hazardous materials via tank cars."

Somewhere I read there's may be special non-horn-blowing railroad crossing locations where specific hours of silence could/can be observed. I'm to believe there's a list of safety issues that have to be in place first for it to be considered. Maybe I'm reading too many posts and combining two or three together in my mind, but can other members elaborate on this a bit more? thanks

This content is currently blocked. The content is either under review by SeeClickFix or has been confirmed by SeeClickFix for violation(s) of SeeClickFix Terms of Use (https://www.civicplus.com/terms-of-service). Content that aligns with SeeClickFix Terms of Use will be posted, and content that does not align with our Terms of Use will not be permitted for public viewing.

Hi RPOL,
Glad to see this information about Final Rule on the use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade crossings. There is a process for the residents of Ridley Park if they are seeking action on getting the engineers to follow the rules that they are suppose to. It would require our borough council asking for a meeting with the FRA & the CSX railroad officials. The right way to get this started is to approach the members of borough council. The crossing at Swarthmore ave is entirely in Ridley Park. The residents who want help from our council should call borough hall to schedule a meeting with them.

The horn is not consistently overblown, but there are some nights when it is excessive. I will be writing down the time and dates from now on. Perhaps that would help at a council meeting to determine who has such a heavy hand and why.

Last comment on this was last May, time to close it. Nothing can be done about the need for the train to warn people of its approach.