Quiet Zone for Trains Backed by Fort Collins City Council

Many residence and businesses have been frustrated by the noise level from trains as they pass though Old Town Fort Collins. On Tuesday (November 18) the Fort Collins City Council directed staff in a 6-0 vote, to petition the Federal Railroad Administration (RFA) for a waiver regarding the rule that that has trains sounding their horns along a section of the BNSF Railway through Old Town.

According to the Coloradoan, BNSF representatives voiced their concerns if the waiver is approved, stating that horns are used for the sake of safety.

The official train horn guideline set by the FRA states:

For everyone’s safety, federal regulation requires locomotive horns be sounded for 15-20 seconds before entering all public grade crossings, but not more than one-quarter mile in advance. This federal requirement preempts any state or local laws regarding the use of train horns at public crossings.