We recently received the following comment from Mr. Josef Bossart, a Parry Sound, Ontario resident, whose blog, Parry Sounds & Sights, discusses a variety of subjects, including rail transportation issues within the community. Mr. Bossart submitted this comment in a reply to the President of Ontario Southland Railway, Mr. Jeff Willsie, in the recent post FAQ: Contacting Canada’s Two Largest Railways With Your Railway Noise and Vibration Problem.
Those of you familiar with Mr. Willsie through this blog will know that it is his frequently-repeated opinion that:
“If you do not like living beside the railway you should move. The railway cannot move.”
Jeff Willsie
President
Ontario Southland Railway
While we respect Mr. Willsie’s right to his opinion, we cannot agree with it. Read more…
Where do you turn when you are faced with a concern about railway noise and vibration?
That’s a question that we’ve been asked repeatedly. Often, the people seeking help and relief already feel thoroughly frustrated, upset, sleep deprived, or sometimes, simply overwhelmed.
Contacting the railway involved is an important first step, especially if the problem is an ongoing one. In its “Guidelines for the Resolution of Complaints over Railway Noise and Vibration,” The Canadian Transportation Agency states that “direct communication shall be established among the parties.”
The Transportation Safety Board recently released Railway Investigation Report R10V0038 detailing a disturbing set of circumstances surrounding a Canadian Pacific Railway accident in March 2010, near Golden, B.C.
The crew of a CP train hauling 112 empty hopper cars failed to obey a stop signal, and crashed into another train, pulling 142 loaded cars of potash. Both trains measured in excess of 2 kilometres long, or over 1.25 miles. Three locomotives and 26 railcars were derailed in the crash. A 4,500 litre propane tank was punctured, and the resulting fire destroyed a storage shed. Several homes and businesses had to be evacuated.
In addition, approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel were leaked into the surrounding environment, and 85 tonnes of soil impacted by hydrocarbons had to be disposed of, with ongoing reclamation of impacted areas continuing into the following spring of 2011.
Fully Loaded
The derailment spilled 23 railcars loaded with potash. However, according to the TSB’s report, it wasn’t just the potash cars that were loaded: Read more…
For those individuals and communities across Canada currently being negatively affected by railway noise and vibration, the pending outcome of a precedent-setting case to be heard by the Federal Court of Appeal this September 20th will be of enormous, nation-wide significance.
After being plagued for years by late night rail noise, the folks in and around the Quayside Community of New Westminster, B.C. are fed up. They’re fed up of having their sleep ruined by late night railway noise and vibration from the four rail companies that operate quite literally in their backyard, namely CN Rail, CP Rail, BNSF, and Southern Railway. Further, they’re fed up with the lack of progress to date in resolving their concerns.
More communities continue to surface in the news that are being affected by rail noise and vibration, diesel fumes, derailments, and safety issues such as the transporting of hazardous materials …
(1) During its August 16, 2011 meeting, Strathcona County Council postponed creation of a policy regarding train whistle cessation while it gathers additional information regarding this problem. Council is interested in reports from other communities including liability issues, and a prioritized list of crossings that would be considered. Council highlighted a crossing in Ardrossan, AB that would be considered for whistle cessation. They also noted whistle cessation efforts in Leduc, AB required 10 years of effort to be successful. See the article “Whistle bylaw still being examined”.
(2) White Rock, BC residents will not gain any relief from train whistles from the BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) railway company according to the article “Train whistles will continue through White Rock” on August 19, 2011. Local residents sound off on this issue in “Not quiet on the western front” on August 16, 2011.
Rail and Reason 