Ontario
We’d like to hear your story about how railway noise and vibration has affected you, and your community. Tell us about the problems you’ve had – or are continuing to have – with railway noise and vibration. How has it affected you and your quality of life? We’d like to hear about your successes and frustrations in resolving your concerns, as well as hear what current conditions are like in your area.
News Articles, Blogs, Stories and Comments from Ontario Residents … and Posts Relating to Ontario …
- Brampton: Residents comment below.
- Kenora: Residents comment below.
- St. Thomas: See the post Leasing a Loophole.
- Thornhill: See the article Thornhill, Ontario Residents Welcome Bill C-587.
- Vanleek Hill: See the article Vanleek Hill, ON: CN Rail Idling Locomotives.
- Windsor: Residents comment below.
- Woodstock: See the post This Blog Needs the Railway Point of View.
- Barrie: See the post Communities in the News.
- Hamilton: See the post Communities in the News.
- Parry Sound: See the post Communities in the News: The List Continues to Grow.
- Toronto: See the post Communities in the News: The List Continues to Grow.
- Sudbury: See the post Communities in the News: The List Continues to Grow.
- Tillsonburg: See the post Communities in the News: The List Continues to Grow.
- Toronto: See the website Clean Train Coalition.
- Weston: See the website Weston Community Coalition.
- Parry Sound: View the local blog Parry Sounds & Sights.
- Toronto: See the post Communities in the News: Health and Environmental Concerns Raised.
- Hamilton: See the post Communities in the News: Health and Environmental Concerns Raised.
I live in Brampton, Ont. and have a had problem since 1997, delt with CN on many occasions and with the mayor,,Had a meeting April 15th,2003. They worked on the track, however the vibration is still shaking my house, to the point where I am not able to sleep.The trains are heavy and travel fast at times, especially during the night, my bed shakes and the mirrors rattle. and have cracks in the walls of my building. I have several letters signed by the neighbours who are having the same problems. If they are going to have 55 trains a day pass through Brampton, then must enforce a law to have them slow down, or keep fixing the tracks and the bridge so it is not causing problems. This problem has been very stressful and has effected my health.
Christine Merrifield
Hello Christine,
One of the first things you might consider doing is having someone from the City contact CN or Transport Canada and ask what is the current speed designated for the area in question is, as a starting point.
This site exists in part to help people such as yourself.
There is plenty of information on this site, and links, to help you apply for mediation with the railway company concerning their noise and vibration.
Consider collecting signatures on a petition to submit with your application.
We wish you well in moving forward and getting resolution in this matter.
Please keep in touch.
I have had issues with CP rail leaving their engines idling all night long and have phoned CP rail only to be told the same thing….the rail has been there over 100 years and if I don’t like it I can move. This happens continuously at 2 am, 3 am. Why should I have to move because of their noise? They are not supposed to leave free engines running all night, but they do. They are supposed to be “parked” further back, so as not to disturb residents, however they park close to the station so they do not have to walk as far to their vehicles. Also we have to consider the noise pollution. It is a never-ending situation. I have contacted my MP’s office and will submit my complaint to him. I will also ask him to support Bill C-587 because, as Peter Julian has stated, “…all Canadians are entitled to a good night’s sleep” !
We recommend that you contact your local health department or city/municipal hall and have them ask CP about its locomotive idling policy, in writing. We also suggest that they ask CP where the designated area for parking idling locomotives is located, and if there’s a shop track with spill trays for them.
Let CP know, in writing, your specific concerns. Are they following their own policy? Idling locomotives are a recognized possible source of noise and vibration under the Guidelines drawn up by The Canadian Transportation Agency. You can find links on our site.
If you feel that your concerns have not been resolved, consider filing for mediation with the Agency listed above.
Railways are obligated to make only as much noise and vibrations as reasonable, under current legislation. If CP is not leaving their idling locomotives where they’re supposed to, it is possible that this could lead to unreasonable noise and vibration.
We hope this helps.
Sorry, that should say “we have to consider the AIR pollution”. Thank you.
I live in Windsor, Ont. We had no idea when we purchased our house 7 years ago there was a problem with idling trains. My Grandmother had lived in the house for 49 years. She died of lung cancer. I have always wondered if her lung cancer was linked to the trains. We wake up with headaches and feeling ill all the time, due to the trains idling. We can feel the vibrations in our bedroom from the trains. I have also suffered with asthma problems since we moved here. We have found a black coating on our windows and anything that is left outside our house. I will not plant a garden due to this. The government needs to step up to put a stop to Idling trains. I have called CP several times since we have moved here . They ask me to write down the number of the train to report it. It hasn’t done us any good. The trains even idle when the weather is warmer. CP seems to have gotten away for this for years and will continue. Until families step up and push the government to end this. I have called city council and members of parliament and will continue to keep calling.
Have you asked CP to clearly state what their policy is regarding fuel conservation and iding diesel locomotives?
We recommend this as your starting point in tackling this problem. It would be likely very beneficial if you could ask an elected representative from Windsor (your M.P. or Mayor, for example) to request clarification on this policy on your behalf.
Have them ask for clarification, in writing, regarding when locomotives are to be shut off, after how long they are to be shut off, and where the shop track is located for parking the engines. Are the engines being parked in the designated area? Is the designated area in a location in which is, in itself, causing problems with noise, vibration, and fumes?
Ask why CP is not using idle reduction technology there to reduce noise, vibration, and fumes, and cut fuel consumption. We mention this as you note this problem can occur during warmer weather.
We further recommend keeping a detailed, and very accurate log about this problem. Include the date, time, and duration of the occurences, as well as the total numbers of locomotives involved.
Try to get and record the identifying numbers of the engines themselves if possible without setting foot on railway property to do so.
Lastly, add to your notes the officially-recorded temperature (high and low, if idling for an extended period) using Environment Canada’s recorded temperature for your area. This can easily be found on their website, and is extremely useful and accurate.
CP needs to know, in writing, specifically what problems you are experiencing with their operations.
Under federal legislation, a railway company must contain noise and vibration to reasonable levels.
If you are unable to resolve this problem with CP, you can then apply for mediation with CP through the Canadian Transportation Agency.
You will find links on our site here. Please review The Canadian Transportation Agency’s site thoroughly – you will find that they identify noise and vibration from idling locomotives as one of the potential problem areas that they could consider for mediation.
Fumes and health issues are not part of the CTA’s mandate as of yet. Ask your local health department to visit and inspect the soot that you’ve noted around your home, and ask them to follow up any concerns that they might have as a result with the railway.
We wish you the best in moving forward with your concerns; please keep us updated and let us know of your progress.
Hi: I live in Windsor on Memorial Drive. They built the new underpass which opened last year on Howard Avenue. The trains were noisy before that, but WOW – NOW – the vibration and echo from the trains since the underpass has opened has increased significantly. I have prepared a petition which our City Council rep will be taking to review. Myself and another resident met with CP officicials about the noise, shunting, dynamic air braking, idling and diesel fume discharge as well as the speed used considering some of the items the trains carry are toxic. This is a residential area with seniors and children living and playing within 50 feet of these trains. The trains blow through here all hours of the day and night. We were told this stretch of the railway is a “sterile corridor” as all trains that go to the US enter the railway under the Detroit River. There were a number of evergreen trees that were taken out along this track after 911 with promises to put up some type of barrier to reduce noise, which has never ocurred. The rail is wide open for anyone to cross and the noise is unbearable. We are looking to submit a copy of the petition with an application for review to the Canada Transportation Agency as well. I can’t believe that we are living with these conditions knowing the ill effects noise and vibration related to operation of trains have caused on human beings. I do understand that goods must get from A to B, but that business should be done responsibly with due dilligence for the protection of human beings our most precious commodity, no matter what. Mary Reaume
Hello Mary,
Your letter echoes what is becoming a familiar theme for us in two regards.
The first is that the problems that you describe are a result of changes initiated by the railway. The second is that our impression is that, based on what you’ve written, you come across to us as being realistic and reasonable.
We continue to hear from people like yourself that have been subjected to a major change to rail operations that they could not likely have ever anticipated happening, nor the impact it would have upon their lives.
Did the railway provide the residents any notice of this change before it was made?
You mention “promises to put up some type of barrier to reduce noise, which has never occurred.” Who made these promises, and was any of this ever put into writing?
You mention children playing within 50 feet of the trains – does this refer to residential yards, public parks, or something else? Could you describe this area more clearly. Does Transport Canada (separate from The Canadian Transportation Agency) know of the resident’s safety concerns there, including proximity (the children’s) to the trains and concerns about train speed? What is the train speed for the area you are concerned about?
Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Guidelines for rail noise and vibration complaints, links can be found on our resources page.
Consider keeping an incidents log detailing time, location, type of noise and/or vibration concern, and corresponding locomotive engine numbers, if visible from property that does not belong to the railway.
Have any noise studies been conducted there?
As for your petition, please note that whistling is a separate issue handled by Transport Canada, the railway, and City officials. The Canadian Transportation Agency is more directed to concerns about other type of railway noise and vibration, and whether or not they are reasonable.
So, if it is your opinion that the noise and vibration is not of a reasonable nature, it might be helpful to explain specifically what you and your neighbours find unreasonable about it.
Let us know how your efforts progress.