BROOK PARK, Ohio – Brook Park city officials have been fielding complaints from residents experiencing an increased frequency in train horns disrupting their peace and quiet.
CSX has scheduled repairs at local crossings, which means train engineers, by law, must sound their horns if a crossing gate has been taken out of service and is not operational.
According to U.S Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration train horn rules, “locomotive engineers must begin to sound train horns at least 15 seconds, and no more than 20 seconds, in advance of all public grade crossings.”
Brook Park Service Director Brian Beyer told City Council at its Sept. 6 meeting that he has been in contact with CSX.
“If you recall, over on Holland Road, between Michael (Drive) and Middlebrook (Blvd.), signage was posted for motorists about a month ago that they were going to be closing down those tracks,” Beyer said. “Then, all of a sudden, the signs were taken down and no work was done. CSX kind of put the cart before the horse and cut out the concrete in anticipation of repairing the tracks at that crossing.”
Unfortunately, wire loops controlling the crossing gates were cut, he explained, and replacement parts had to be backordered.
“They now have the loops,” Beyer said. “CSX is anticipating closing the crossings at Holland and Middlebrook, as well as at Hummel Road and West 130th Street, for about a week towards the end of September.”
He also mentioned train horn blasts occasionally may occur to scare away wildlife spotted near the tracks, which is permitted under federal regulations.
CSX has scheduled repairs at local crossings, which means train engineers, by law, must sound their horns if a crossing gate has been taken out of service and is not operational.
According to U.S Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration train horn rules, “locomotive engineers must begin to sound train horns at least 15 seconds, and no more than 20 seconds, in advance of all public grade crossings.”
Brook Park Service Director Brian Beyer told City Council at its Sept. 6 meeting that he has been in contact with CSX.
“If you recall, over on Holland Road, between Michael (Drive) and Middlebrook (Blvd.), signage was posted for motorists about a month ago that they were going to be closing down those tracks,” Beyer said. “Then, all of a sudden, the signs were taken down and no work was done. CSX kind of put the cart before the horse and cut out the concrete in anticipation of repairing the tracks at that crossing.”
Unfortunately, wire loops controlling the crossing gates were cut, he explained, and replacement parts had to be backordered.
“They now have the loops,” Beyer said. “CSX is anticipating closing the crossings at Holland and Middlebrook, as well as at Hummel Road and West 130th Street, for about a week towards the end of September.”
He also mentioned train horn blasts occasionally may occur to scare away wildlife spotted near the tracks, which is permitted under federal regulations.
