Ceasing train whistles in South Walkerville would cost city $3M
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John West, a resident of South Walkerville, is pictured at the rail crossing on Kildare Road, on Tuesday, Jan.
31, 2023. West is upset with the Essex Terminal Railway for the increase in train whistles that he says disrupt his sleep. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star
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A committee of Windsor council wants the federal government to foot the bill for warning systems at two rail crossings to silence loud train whistles that have been keeping residents up at night.
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After learning the city would have to spend £3 million for warning lights and bells at the Benjamin Avenue and Hall Avenue rail crossings to cease train whistles, the public safety standing committee on Wednesday voted to have city staff continue their search for federal grants.
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Some South Walkerville residents have recently taken issue with the Essex Terminal Railway, complaining about a significant increase in the number of train whistles sounding each day since last fall. With so many crossings locally on roads with no rail guards, trains under Transport Canada legislation are required to sound their whistle in advance before approaching each roadway. Jack Weston, superintendent of Essex Terminal Railway, told the committee that the company added an afternoon shift in October “to meet the requirements” of its customers.
Prior to that, operations typically ended by 5 p.m. each day.
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When asked by Ward 4 Coun. Mark McKenzie whether the whistle could be moved from the top of engines to below to reduce noise volume, Weston said safety regulations require roof-mounted whistles.
“It has to be mounted to the roof of the locomotive with no obstruction or in the way of any exhaust,” Weston said. “It’s very specific how far from the back of the cab that it has to be mounted.” In a lengthy written submission to the committee, Loraine Avenue resident John West called the “constant” train whistling a “quality of life nightmare.” He previously told the Star the whistling starts early in the day and continues into the night. At the request of Ward 4 Coun.
Mark McKenzie, council in January asked city administration to communicate with the railway company and request that train whistling be used “only if absolutely necessary” in that area.
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The staff report created in response to McKenzie’s question explained a whistling cessation would only be possible at Benjamin Avenue and Hall Avenue if warning systems with flashing lights and bells were installed at both locations. Although rail crossings at Tecumseh Road East, Lincoln Road, and Kildare Road all have flashing lights and bells, trains must still sound their whistles in the area because the crossings at Benjamin and Hall have only stop signs.
In his motion, McKenzie also asked that Essex Terminal Railway appear before council at a future meeting and report on the required minimum decibel level for train whistles and how far the sound should travel.
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