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Idiots trespassing on the tracks...

Which tracks? CN south of Victoria or CP north of Pacific/Rosser?

JR said "Which tracks? CN south of Victoria or CP north of Pacific/Rosser? "

I would assume the CP line between Pacific and Rosser as that would make the most sense to where I live but I can't say for certain.  
 
As for "idiots on the tracks" highly unlikely as I have noticed this fairly frequently for the last couple years. It's not all the time but some days it goes on and on forever!  
 
Not complaining about not being able to sleep or cry babies etc. just curious why all the whistle blows cause its a lot of em.

I've noticed this too. I understand the need for the blasts but it does seem to be a bit indulgent. Power trip perhaps? Or maybe Fred is right and they do it more the more we complain lol.

it could be the same, but your noticing it more because your paying more attention to it? It seems like lately everyone is paying more attention to train activity more than before.

Trevor B said "it could be the same, but your noticing it more because your paying more attention to it? It seems like lately everyone is paying more attention to train activity more than before. "

I've lived in Brandon, in the same area for 46 years. Over the past couple of years I have noticed it fairly often. It's not the same. I don't understand why a train blows the whistle over 50 times in a matter of a half hour. Was hoping someone actually had a logical answer or someone with knowledge of the railways.

odds of the trains leaving city limits are slim to nil. Trains will likely have to be an obsolete freight option before they leave the city.  
 
The cost to move both lines from city limits for Brandon alone would be extremely costly, likely into the 10's of billions. And I don't believe the city has the authority to tell the railways to get out of town. Unless the city WILL pay all of the costs for them to relocate.  
 
So unfortunately we are just going to have to deal with the train activity and noises.

GuyR said "    Trevor B said "it could be the same, but your noticing it more because your paying more attention to it? It seems like lately everyone is paying more attention to train activity more than before. " I've lived in Brandon, in the same area for 46 years. Over the past couple of years I have noticed it fairly often. It's not the same. I don't understand why a train blows the whistle over 50 times in a matter of a half hour. Was hoping someone actually had a logical answer or someone with knowledge of the railways. "

JR works for one of the railways.

Trevor B said "odds of the trains leaving city limits are slim to nil. Trains will likely have to be an obsolete freight option before they leave the city.     The cost to move both lines from city limits for Brandon alone would be extremely costly, likely into the 10's of billions. And I don't believe the city has the authority to tell the railways to get out of town. Unless the city WILL pay all of the costs for them to relocate.     So unfortunately we are just going to have to deal with the train activity and noises. "

And if they cave and move out that would cause every city in Canada to want them out I'm sure it would bankrupt them.Brandon isn't the only place that bitches about train noise.

Midway55 said "    Trevor B said "odds of the trains leaving city limits are slim to nil. Trains will likely have to be an obsolete freight option before they leave the city.     The cost to move both lines from city limits for Brandon alone would be extremely costly, likely into the 10's of billions. And I don't believe the city has the authority to tell the railways to get out of town. Unless the city WILL pay all of the costs for them to relocate.     So unfortunately we are just going to have to deal with the train activity and noises. " And if they cave and move out that would cause every city in Canada to want them out I'm sure it would bankrupt them.Brandon isn't the only place that bitches about train noise. "

there are some major cities where you share the road with fright trains and commuter trains.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These are only a few examples. And there are many more examples.  
 
And we think we are the only city that has to deal with trains. We are only 1 of who know how many world wide. This is what we have to deal with when we build a city around rail lines and a river.

lately because a lot of repairs are being done. Lots of on-rail machines etc. are going out every day and most of them sound a horn when coming towards an intersection.  
 
Is it annoying? Yes, but I'll make it! Can hardly wait until they're done though!

Trevor B said "odds of the trains leaving city limits are slim to nil. Trains will likely have to be an obsolete freight option before they leave the city.     The cost to move both lines from city limits for Brandon alone would be extremely costly, likely into the 10's of billions. And I don't believe the city has the authority to tell the railways to get out of town. Unless the city WILL pay all of the costs for them to relocate.     So unfortunately we are just going to have to deal with the train activity and noises. "

It's not a complaint. I am not asking the trains to move. I am not imagining things. It's not because of repairs. I am simply asking why the trains blow the whistle sooo many times. I give up. Forget I asked. Carry on folks.

GuyR said "    Trevor B said "odds of the trains leaving city limits are slim to nil. Trains will likely have to be an obsolete freight option before they leave the city.     The cost to move both lines from city limits for Brandon alone would be extremely costly, likely into the 10's of billions. And I don't believe the city has the authority to tell the railways to get out of town. Unless the city WILL pay all of the costs for them to relocate.     So unfortunately we are just going to have to deal with the train activity and noises. " It's not a complaint. I am not asking the trains to move. I am not imagining things. It's not because of repairs. I am simply asking why the trains blow the whistle sooo many times. I give up. Forget I asked. Carry on folks. "

topic about trains comes up often and some want them moved.

Trevor B said "    GuyR said "    Trevor B said "odds of the trains leaving city limits are slim to nil. Trains will likely have to be an obsolete freight option before they leave the city.     The cost to move both lines from city limits for Brandon alone would be extremely costly, likely into the 10's of billions. And I don't believe the city has the authority to tell the railways to get out of town. Unless the city WILL pay all of the costs for them to relocate.     So unfortunately we are just going to have to deal with the train activity and noises. " It's not a complaint. I am not asking the trains to move. I am not imagining things. It's not because of repairs. I am simply asking why the trains blow the whistle sooo many times. I give up. Forget I asked. Carry on folks. " topic about trains comes up often and some want them moved. "

Lots of topics come up more then once. Simply answering the question asked was all that was needed rather then going off in a completely different direction. Thanks anyway.

Due to the high-profile accidents of the past few years, both rail companies have mandated a much more aggressive use of alerting horns when approaching crossings, consisting of several short & long soundings. Given the number of crossings in town, especially for the CN tracks, this makes for a lot of soundings.  
 
Edited by BuddyCthulhu, 2015-08-27 01:20:05

They are required to blow them in certain ways at certain points. There is MUCH MORE movements occurring over more crossing right now which equals more horns. In addition this is frustrating people which inclines some to cross intersections at which lights etc are already going......and again they are going to blow horn more for that. Didn't think it took much to equate more movement to more horns.

Sad to see these posts often get off topic! I live very central Brandon and have noticed this noise problem big time!!! I sleep with ear plugs and am sometimes still awaken in the early morning and late night hours! Unnecessary lengths to the blowing as far as I can tell. I wish I knew where to complain.

that we're noticing it more because the weather has been nice enough to have the windows opened? I sure notice the trains more then...

If you are in "Very" central Brandon then you are over exaggerating big time. I think most are being very melodramatic over this whole situation. Maybe if Brandon drivers would stop at the lights when they are on, then the whistles wouldn't sound as much. It happens ALL the time, so once again, blame the drivers of Brandon.

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/railsafety/railsafety-976.html  
 
There's a way to get whistling banned in a specific area( such as urban Brandon) but you must go through the local government to accomplish it according to the procedure described in the link at the top of this message.  

3wildboyz said "They are required to blow them in certain ways at certain points. There is MUCH MORE movements occurring over more crossing right now which equals more horns. In addition this is frustrating people which inclines some to cross intersections at which lights etc are already going......and again they are going to blow horn more for that. Didn't think it took much to equate more movement to more horns. "

OK, here's the deal...  
 
Upon approaching a public crossing at grade (level crossing), by law the train is required to sound the whistle in a long-long-short-long pattern. This whistle is to be sounded for a minimum of 20 seconds ending when the train has occupied the crossing if the train speed is less than 45mph, and must be sounded beginning at least 1/4 mile from the crossing until the crossing is occupied by the train if the speed is over 45mph.  
 
These regulations also apply to maintenance vehicles. Since they are smaller than engines or trains, the operators tend to sound the whistle longer and more frequently than train engineers do. They also sound their whistles more often because they stop and start a lot in the vicinity of crossings.  
 
I suspect this is what people have been hearing, since I know of no "directive" that trains sound the horn more than they have been doing in the past.  

Perhaps some need to get their hearing checked rather than accusing anyone of exaggerating! Some people may also be used to more noise than others for example if you have children. Amazing how many people are so opiniated in a negative way!

on the 500 blk of 7th for 9 years and never had any issues with the trains. And that was near CN's 6th st crossing. I also grewup living right next to the CP mainline in Douglas. Nothing like having a freight train blasting it's horn right in front while going track speed. And you get used to it. It's no different than living near a busy street or highway or even an airport.  
 
And at my annual hearing test in May, everything was normal.

Glad your hearing is good Trevor!! Thanks for the replies everyone. Was simply curious to know why the last few years the whistles have got so heavy. As in one train blowing the whistle over 50 times while going through town. Appears no one can answer oh well it was worth a try!