How heavily is a specific section of railroad track traveled?

[Jeff7181]

I did some Googling, but couldn't find a source for this type of information.

I'm considering buying a house near a railroad track and I'm trying to figure out how often a train will pass. If it's many times a day, I might at the very least select a different lot. But if it's once a day or less, that probably won't affect my decision.

Anyone know where I could find this kind of information (aside from asking current homeowners in the area)?

 

[sdifox]

ask the local government?

 

[nakedfrog]

Ask the railroad company?

 

[BillGates]

Deleted.

 

[amdhunter]

Set up camp near the tracks for a night?

 

[DaTT]

Ask the people in the neighbourhood.

 

[IronWing]

I loved hearing the trains when I lived near the tracks. In Kentucky, I lived close enough to the NS mainline to shake the house with every passing train. In Cheyenne, the squeal of wheels on rail and banging of cars was constant. There' something about a train.

 

[DrPizza]

Ask the people in the neighbourhood.

I wouldn't trust their answer. I lived 2 1/2 blocks from the railroad tracks - I didn't hear the trains. I just tuned them completely out. Sort of the same thing for people near airports - at first, it's annoying, but after a while, it's so routine that you don't even pay attention.

 

[Humpy]

Check with Homeland Security?

 

[IronWing]

You can get an idea by looking at the track itself. Is it well maintained? Do the road crossings have grade separation, gates, or just signs?

Also, look at the traffic pattern relative to the tracks. Are you going to be cut off from the world every time a train passes?

 

[Ruptga]

Check with Homeland Security?

Best answer.

 

[IronWing]

Best answer.

We got computers, we're tapping rail lines,
I know that that ain't allowed.

 

[pauldun170]

I did some Googling, but couldn't find a source for this type of information.

I'm considering buying a house near a railroad track and I'm trying to figure out how often a train will pass. If it's many times a day, I might at the very least select a different lot. But if it's once a day or less, that probably won't affect my decision.

Anyone know where I could find this kind of information (aside from asking current homeowners in the area)?

Unfortunately I can't answer your question but my inlaws live near tracks (Back yard, raised. Look out the bathroom window and you see the train station platform)

Schedules can change. House location does not.
You will get used to the noise and vibration.
Avoid anywhere near crossings since that's where the horns get blasted.
Make sure the house is probably inspected (vibration inpact on foundation, roofing, sidings pipes..)

 

[Jeff7181]

Unfortunately I can't answer your question but my inlaws live near tracks (Back yard, raised. Look out the bathroom window and you see the train station platform)

Schedules can change. House location does not.
You will get used to the noise and vibration.
Avoid anywhere near crossings since that's where the horns get blasted.
Make sure the house is probably inspected (vibration inpact on foundation, roofing, sidings pipes..)

I said buying a house, but what I meant was building. Supposedly this builder is pretty good... they do things like use 2x6 studs for exterior walls... insulate and seal really really well to beat EPA standards by like 40%, etc.

It's a pretty rural area... so I imagine it'll be freight for the most part rather than passenger cars.

*EDIT* And there are crossing a half mile away in each direction.

 

[BoomerD]

How near is near?

A mile away isn't too bad. You'll still hear the horns if there's a crossing close by, but the "clickety-clack" of the trains won't be overly loud.

A couple of blocks away and you'll quickly learn to hate trains.

 

[sdifox]

I said buying a house, but what I meant was building. Supposedly this builder is pretty good... they do things like use 2x6 studs for exterior walls... insulate and seal really really well to beat EPA standards by like 40%, etc.

It's a pretty rural area... so I imagine it'll be freight for the most part rather than passenger cars.

*EDIT* And there are crossing a half mile away in each direction.

yeah no.

 

[Jeff7181]

How near is near?

A mile away isn't too bad. You'll still hear the horns if there's a crossing close by, but the "clickety-clack" of the trains won't be overly loud.

A couple of blocks away and you'll quickly learn to hate trains.

Less than 100 feet.

 

[momeNt]

I would call and ask railroad, but you also need to check to see if it is a commuter line as well, with that you can just look up the schedule.

But I would not call the railroad if you have a name that could be considered "terrorist-like", because it will end poorly for you.

 

[purbeast0]

Less than 100 feet.

f that.

 

[draknon]

I lived in an apartment for 9 years that had very active tracks 40 yards from the back door. Luckily, there wasn't a crossing nearby so I never had to listen to the horns. When the train goes by, it would shake the apartment. When I first moved in, the shaking was so noticeable it would wake me in my sleep in the middle of the night. After a few months though, I never noticed a train again unless I happened to be looking out the window.

You get used to it and then just don't notice. No longer would it wake me, no longer would I notice any shaking of my apartment. My friends would when they were over though. I would not hesitate one bit to move near the tracks again. Well, providing I didn't have to deal with crossings. Nothing is worse than being stuck at a train crossing if you're in a hurry to get someplace.

 

[Rakehellion]

I did some Googling, but couldn't find a source for this type of information.

I'm considering buying a house near a railroad track and I'm trying to figure out how often a train will pass. If it's many times a day, I might at the very least select a different lot. But if it's once a day or less, that probably won't affect my decision.

Anyone know where I could find this kind of information (aside from asking current homeowners in the area)?

Depends on the tracks. If it's active, then it will be several times a day. Don't bother.

 

[twinrider1]

I'd be more concerned about what they're carrying.

 

[BoomerD]

Less than 100 feet.

For a warehouse...no problem. Loud at times, but not a big deal.

To live in? No fucking way. It won't be long and you'll be willing to take a loss just to get out.

 

[PottedMeat]

For a warehouse...no problem. Loud at times, but not a big deal.

To live in? No fucking way. It won't be long and you'll be willing to take a loss just to get out.

this.

there better be a huge discount

 

[BurnItDwn]

probably so obvious that it doesn't need to be said .. but, look on google maps, is there a city/passenger/metro type train route routed on those tracks? If there is, then you will probably have lots of trains.

Of course there are some tracks around here that are freight only but still seems like theres always a train on the tracks and stuck waiting to get across the tracks forever....