CSX Transportation review: hours of operation 27

Seriously did you actually think CSX would halt their business just because you complained about their whistles...oh come on!

Their customers depend on them to get their items (freight, coal, whatever) and for you to expect them to stop past 11:00pm is absolutely absurd!

Those two metal things on the ground that run parallel to each other for miles...those are called train tracks. If you move in the vicinity of those tracks ~ EXPECT to hear a train whistle! Those big engines and cars do NOT deviate from this track ~ if you do NOT like it M - O - V- E!

Double Speak, I do work for CSX on one of the busiest lines in the US. We run freight 24/7. As far as the whistles and horns go, it has to be done to alert people at crossings. I know in some areas they cant blow them as loud and not for long periods of time. Remember the railroads never stop, goods and freight always have to be moved. I would love to work 9-5 on the railroad, but it never happens. The railroad has been around longer than you or I. Why people ever buy a home close to the tracks or train yards is beyond me. The only thing I can say is try calling some more. And please dont say things like dont let CSX move into your town. The railroads employ a lot of Americans, and one can make a good living. If you worked out here you'd know the trains rolling along is dollar signs.

I would like to bring to attention exessive use of train horns in Plant City, FL. I understand it is necessary to signal the trains approach in certain areas. There is a HUGE difference when it is done properly and when it is done exessively. We all work hard, and need to get a good night rest to be fresh at work. However, it is difficult to do so when there is a train horn blasting not only through the night but also through the closed bedroom window. Thank you for your time.

110 db... really way to loud when ther are gates, bells and flashing lights.

Hello I am writing to relay my experiences with CSX RR. For the last few years we have been trying to deal with them over crossing blocking & Horn noise. There response has been to try to intimidate us, and increase of course the horn noise. Called in after being stopped by a CSX train for an hour at a crossing. Reaching the local train dispatch office in Blue Island IL, I was told by the CSX worked "that's Your G. D. economy going by stupid" & then hung up on. From mid February until recent May 25th we have called CSX about two Dozen times about crossing #163611P when there has been a train blocking that crossing for more that 30-45 min (usually an hour). Responses are different every time. Sometimes the train moves. Most time it sits more time. In our latest go around w CSX we have been of course laughed at, hung up on. and directly int imitated. Expressing to CS that when they block that crossing our are is cut off from Fire & Police response that is less than a quarter of a mile away. We then have to depend on Chicago police Five miles away to respond. I can tell you we are Not a priority to the CPD as they have there own to deal with. On May 25Th I received a phone call from what I am told by CSX RR is a "Public Safety Officer" The call was received from Ohio I live in Illinois. He would Not fully Identify himself when I asked only "Ken". He called me a liar, told me " the Damn Horns are going to blow because that's what they do". also "we may try and keep the crossing unblocked" I have yet to hear from CSX HOW this "Ken" got my home Phone number. Why he called me from TWO state away to talk about this crossing. Most importantly as a "Public Safety Officer" if Ken carries a Gun. As that would be a Peace Office Threatening a citizen.

The CSX train does go through Safety Harbor, FL every morning, lately at about 4:00AM. It seems that the personnel changes since sometimes the horm is not as loud as other times. The last two nights have been horrendous. We never had this kind of noise until about three months ago and we have lived in the same house for six years, at least a mile away from the tracks. Obviously CSX has hired sadistic people to drive the trains. The horn doesn't have to be so loud as evidenced by the other considerate drivers who blow the horn only enough for anyone who just happens to be walking near the track AT 4:00 AM! Come on.

I don't think this forum really impacts them at all, just helps me feel like I am not the only person bothered by this egregious low class behavious on the part of the train driver.

The federal gov't requires that the horns blow at the crossings due to the sheer stupidity of the general public in seeing those flashing red lights and gates dropped and still driving around them

Also, it's not the engineer on the train blowing louder than any other engineer... it is a different locomotive, each one has a slightly different 'strength' to their horns.

Also, they cannot stop running at night or they will have to triple up the amount of trains running during the daytime, which means that every crossing in town will be blocked up all day long. That sounds fun doesnt it?

CSX Trains in Orlando FL
Has anything been done to help alleviate the excessive horn noise from the trains running after midnight along South Orange Ave? Seems like the noise starts after 11 PM and continues all the way to 6 AM. Some trains hit the horn continuously while others do short bursts. With the Sun Rail System coming in 2014, you can only wonder what it will be like for residents.

Agreed, the Orlando community is extremely irritated at the constant horn blowing all night. I seriously doubt that there is that much traffic during the night that the train needs to alert that it is coming through. I can see during the day hours with so much distraction, but all during the night? come on seriously? Some of us actually work during the day, I know it must be a new concept, but we aren't disturbing you during the day when you are trying to sleep. Not to mention our children being waked up all through the night. People shouldn't have to leave their homes and move because of inconsiderate people!

I live in the Greenbriar neighborhood in Clearwater, FL and have experienced numerous cases where the CSX trains have been laying on the horn in the wee hours of the morning (2-5am). I agree it's probably better on everyone if they did run in the morning to avoid clogging up roads during the day. But one short "toot" as the train approaches each road should be sufficient warning (in addition to the lights and guard rails on the road) to the LIMITED traffic that should be on local roads at 2-5am.

Trains have been around a long time and are vital to our economy. When you move within several miles of a railroad track, you can expect to hear it, depending on which way the wind blows. Seriously, this is a known fact and should have been taken into consideration when purchasing a home. When I purchased my home, there was nothing behind it. Now I have a busy road. Can I complain? No. I live within a mile of the Safety Harbor Train Track and it wakes me at 3 most week nights, just as the UPS planes wake me at 5 most mornings when they land from the north, into the st. pete clearwater airport. We have a night club down the street that is allowed to blast their music till 2 am...and it keeps me awake some nights, again, depending on wind direction. This is all a part of living in a city/suburb...get over it. and do more during the day so you fall into a deeper sleep at night. I've learned to roll over and go back to sleep. I suggest you do the same.

Read all of the above comments and everyone has their own views and opinions. The bottom line is that everyone has valid reasons for and against. Growing up in the UK and seeing what damage Maggie Thatcher did to Britain's road networks by moving most of the freight (coal, gypsum etc) to trucks on the roads from the railways, we should all be thankful that this country has the Wisdom to keep this on the rails. I live in Orlando FL and there is a distinct difference of the horns at night and during the day and seem to be more frequent in the winter months, but I agree with the CSX guy, you need to research these things in advance and accept that there may be trains! However, CSX drivers (or engineers as they are here) should not hold down the horn endlessly, a brief blast on the horn should be adhered to no?

Honestly...America needs it's goods and not only because there is too many people AND THE WORLD HAS BECOME GREEDY IN DEMAND it also depends on the trains and trucks of America for a lot of things..- I grew up near train tracks in Michigan(where Canada leases the rails), however, since moving here to Florida I also find it irritating in the early morning or in the middle of the night with the constant noise blaring so loudly here in Brandon, Florida...yes it doesn't help when one has a migraine or a sleep disorder. I have friends that used to work the railroad so I respect the position of the engineers. I don't live right next to the tracks either and I find it annoying as hell in the middle of the night-just saying.

It is simple just eliminate the horns or automate them at the agreed decibel level automatically triggered by the train activity not the engineer . Make it consistent and contemporary with the times. The rail should run 24/7 it is the smartest way of transporting bulk, now lets just improve a good thing. I live in Plant City and the noise is horrible but I am sure we will reach common ground.

Recently an employee of csx strangled my husband in front of my 11 year old son. what kind of employees do you hire? This guy was arrested and charged in Florida in 2005 for distributing steroids and thug behavior. He got off with a misdemeanor because he told on everyone else but was just as guilty. He did this to save his behind. I dont get what kind of company hires people like this. His name is Mike Chambliss.He continues to take steroids and has the roid rage to this day.

I love hearing the train whistle but, not for 5 min. I live 3 blocks from the track. The hospital is the same distance on the other side. Alot of people being disturbed. I can see blowing the whistle more in the daytime because of traffic but, not at 4 am.

I love the trains and love a good train whistle, we have 3 crossings within 1/2 mile of my home, all of them have the bar that goes down. My town (Waldo) has a population of less than 1000. Most of the CSX engineers are moderate with the horn and you can appreciate it. However, there is this one engineer who blows his horn continuosly (8 mins, 38 seconds) without stopping..you can hear him coming and going LOL. I think the FRA says the engineer has the final authority when crossings are close together, and I'm good with that, but every once in awhile it grates on the nerves and wakes you up. You get used to the background noises of the trains, but when someone changes it up, its more noticeable and irritating.

I only saw one commenter here that mentioned the requirement for train horns. The Federal Railroad Administration was required by law to issue regulations for train horn use. This is called the Train Horn Rule. Maximum volume is 110 db and minimum is 96 db. In this Train Horn Rule, locomotive engineers sound the horn in a standardized pattern of 2 long, 1 short, 1 long blast for EVERY public grade crossing. Remember, this is required by Federal law. The Train Horn Rule DOES NOT stipulate the duration of the long or short horn blasts.
The Train Horn Rule also provides an opportunity for communities across the country to establish "Quiet Zones". If you are interested, you need to look here: http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L03055.
I can understand the frustration of some people who are negatively affected by the use of train horns during normal sleep hours... but, you should get good information as to why it happens, not jump to conclusions that the engineer can just stop sounding the horn because there is no traffic. You also shouldn't get slammed for your understandable frustrations by others who seem to be just as ignorant of this requirement.

Train whistles can be agrevating I'm sure but if whistle duration & frequency are regulated & enforced then there wouldn't be an issue. I quote a portion from a previous posting: "The Federal Railroad Administration was required by law to issue regulations for train horn use. This is called the Train Horn Rule. Maximum volume is 110 db and minimum is 96 db. In this Train Horn Rule, locomotive engineers sound the horn in a standardized pattern of 2 long, 1 short, 1 long blast for EVERY public grade crossing. Remember, this is required by Federal law" I'm thinking duration should be perhaps 1-2 seconds for a "Long" & no longer that 1 second for a short. Signaling to "Clear the tracks" about 4-5 seconds. Blowing the horn longer than 5 seconds doesn't do any good & only annoys people. Durations of more than 30 seconds only serve to be counter productive. I 'm not sure about the "Creating a disturbance" laws in the USA but here in Canada it's 11pm - 8am (Quiet time). Wouldn't accesive duration for Whistle use be pushing the limit after 11pm? If America has "Disturbing the peace" laws, wouldn't they be similar?

I understand the train horn requirements by the feds for safety reasons. I do not understand how RR Xings can block roads such as Orient Rd in Tampa Fla for 1 hour and 23 mins. Especially considering it's located approx 100 yards from the Hillsborough County Jail and hence it also hinders our LEOs from performing their duties in a timely manner. Heaven forbid a catastrophe due to CSX and their incompetence...or worse, their indifference..

We have the same complaint in Charlotte NC about CSX. They blow the horn all night long and it is very LOUD! CSX are not good neighbor. How can they continue to disrupt people sleep and are protected by the FDR. Something is wrong with this picture.

Ha this is ridiculous! We live 1/4 of a mile from the Safety Harbor rail track with a toddler, and none of us wake up to the train going through from 9 PM to 5 AM. We actually wish they would use their horn more in the day when heading from South to North (we have a train-obsessed boy and will always run out the door to try to watch the train when we hear it coming). I would much rather them blow their horn to warn people, vehicles and animals of their impending presence then anyone get hurt. I'm sorry, but you need to set your priorities straight.

Safety Harbor FL checking in...I thought I had sleep apnea I keep waking in the middle of the night glad I found this thread. I didn't know because by the time I really woke from it he was done except for 1 night last week when he was particularly obnoxious with it. At least the R.E. market has been poppin in the area, been looking at Seminole anyway lately, anyone wanna buy a house?