Your Rant
How does train noise in North Vancouver affect your life?
- Is your sleep interrupted by train noise? How frequently?
- Is your concentration affected after a disrupted night’s sleep?
- Does rail noise affect the quality of your life?
- What type of train noise is most bothersome? Whistling? Idling? Shunting? Squealing wheels? Other?
- Can you enjoy your outside living spaces?
Post a comment below and let others know how rail noise has affected the lives of you and your family. Your email address and website (if provided) are not displayed after your comment is submitted.
Comments
We live nearly a kilometre from the nearest CN train tracks south of Norgate DNV. In summer, especially with a window open, the horns and shunting are so loud that it is as if the train is in my back yard. The train horns, shunting and squealing either did not occur or was much quieter when BC Rail owned the tracks. This noise continues both day and night. Many residents either work shift (ie sleeping in the day) or have babies who nap in the daytime. When talking to friends down by the Welch Park area, you cannot hear each other speak, even when only a few feet apart. The squealing of train wheels at the oval track area is particularly irritating in summer. Unless you are deaf or are used to working in a high noise environment, you cannot use your backyard when this noise starts.
Oh my gosh! Thankfully a site dedicated to the North Van resident fed up with the train noise!! We own a home just off of 5th street, near St. Andrews, and hear that crossing whistle weekly, as well as the CRASH of cars coming together (atleast, this is what the sound is like… not sure of exactly what makes the loud sounds we hear at night). ALL of these sounds are heard as our bedrooms face South, and ALL of these sounds wake us up at all hours of the night. Would love to see the city, and CN trains, do something to remedy the noise pollution put out to the residents of this area.
Thanks for posting the site!
~Victoria
The communities west of Lonsdale have suffered greatly from train noise since the sale of BC Rail to CN. It has affected Pemberton Heights, Capilano and especially Norgate. As noise travels uphill, I have even heard complaints from Princess Park and Edgemont. In my community, a number of residents have been unwillingly forced to move elsewhere due to the impact on their lives from the Port noise (not just trains, but Fibreco and low flying seaplanes). Close to the train tracks, it has become an industrial war zone. At present, the cost of selling a house and moving is about fifty thousand dollars (real estate commission, legal fees, moving costs, property transfer tax , etc). This does not take into account the time to find another house or the loss of community which many feel. We cannot afford to and do not wish to move for no fault of our own!
As CN Rail is making most of the waterfront noise, CN should be responsible for the costs, not the taxpayers. As a publicly owned company, they are making a profit and it is the cost of doing business for them. CN was fined for their spill of caustic soda into the Cheakamus River and required to clean up the resulting pollution. CN should be required to do whatever is necessary to prevent the noise pollution which it is creating in formerly quiet urban areas.
The Residents Against Noisy Trains website is an excellent idea for us to share information and also to organize our frustration over the continuing disturbance of our lives. However, the process of quietening the noise is taking far too long. We are victimized twice by our government, first by them allowing this noise to continue in residential areas and secondly by spending our tax money to reduce it. As 2011 may be a year of two or possibly three elections, we should direct our anger towards the politicians who are supposed to be representing us. It may be years before we can get their attention again. If they are not part of the solution, they are part of the problem.
I have lived in lower Lonsdale for over eight years now and would like to share how I see the increased development in RANT. When CN took over from BC Rail they took over wanting to expand and increase rail activity in partnership with good old Port Metro Vancouver. They knew at this time that they would have to fight a community at-large to get what they felt they were entitled to, our Low Level Road. The only gem missing from them expanding their port tomorrow. It was the anticipation of this battle that was the cause for the demand in increase of OVERALL rail noise and port activity, and essentially running the train whistles to the letter of the book became the mandate. If one was to look over the stats for calls to the Waterfront Noise Pollution committee, one would clearly see that this really only became a problem shortly after BCR became CN. Just like Port Metro Vancouver tried to spring and shove through their Low Level Road Project basically behind the community’s back, they also took advantage of a quiet, long standing community by trying to push us to the edge with their increase in noise levels. Little did they know how committed we are to our homes, our neighbours and our neighbourhood. They will be back, no doubt sooner than any of us want them to be, but it would be in both CN’s and PMV’s best interest if they cooled their heels on all fronts for awhile now and focused on aligning themselves with the fact that we are a community not a business and if they want speical priviledges through our special neighbourhood, then they better start behaving like a neighbour and show some respect.
PMV is in dire straights with the people who live down on the Fraser River too, they just don’t get it do they?
We live in the lower streets east of Lonsdale and regularly hear very loud train whistles that last for minutes on end, both during the day and at night. At times, it definitely effects my sleep at night and my tranquility in the day. I’d be happy to volunteer some time to support RANT.
Sorry to hear that you are impacted as well. Thanks for your support. At this time, we are in a waiting game to see what transpires with the proposed Low Level Road Improvement Project.
affects my sleep, not effects – sorry!
It’s not a whisle anymore!It is a 90-130 dcb.airhorn!!This whole project by their projections estimates the noise dcb. level to drop by …..1dcb….1.Look at the flashy reading material they handed out,it’s there.Foot of St.George is already a crossing OVER the railway tracks paid for by I dont’t who,yet for some strange reason NOT being use to it’s potential.Fire department wants another crossing,then put in a “controlled crossing” at one of the other exsisting level crossing at a mere fraction of the estimated $100,000,00. PLUS this will cost you and me the ultimate …payers of it all….What it really boils down to is,the Port and the railway want to expand their operations,and in case you may be hard of hearing……..try and hear anything next train!!
I have been keeping track of the times I have been woken up since 2007,these are a few recent ones,lets go back to the July 1 long weekend:Fri-July 1-2:06 AM,Sat-July 2-3:12 AM,Sun-July3-2:04AM,Mon-(nice long weekend)July 4-4:51AM,Tue- July 5-4:06AM,wed- July 6:5:12AM,Thur-July 7-3:21AM,Fri-July 8-1:23AM,Sat-July 9-1:16AM,and the list goes on,as I’m writing this,Fri July15 the racket started at 4:03AM and is still going on at7:30AM,I hope the mayor of the district of north van sees this and I invite him to come down to Norgate any morning and listen to what we have had to endure for years.
Thanks for starting this process, The blast of the airhorns on East Esplande near the grain elevators is deafening and totally uneccessary. If someone is stupid enough to be in the path of an oncoming train then let Darwinism take its course.But this has been going on for years and nothing gets done, Ranting is all well and good but how do we get action…?
citizen b
There are 3 uncontrolled crossings near the grain elevators and they have to blast the whistle by law. They also have to blast the whistle if someone is trespassing on the tracks. If approved, the Low Level Road Project will eliminate these 3 crossings and the whistling will be eliminated.
I’ve lived on Lonsdale at 6th for the past 17 years, and the level of noise from train wistles has increased tremendously. The whistles are much louder and more frequent than they used to be and I can’t help but to wonder what possible justification there is for this. Has there been a dramatic increase of hard-of-hearing people sleeping on the tracks? Somehow I doubt it.
The stress of being constantly woken up is definitely affecting our quaility of life, so it’s time for the city to get involved with setting a more reasonable sound level.
See the post Tired of Rail Noise in North Vancouver? for background on the increase in noise levels
CN Rail is a federally regulated railway so the City does not have jurisdiction here. If the City gives the green light to the Low Level Road Project in spring 2012 then the whistling will decrease significantly after completion of the project.
So are we going to do something about this?!?
Can we protest on the tracks?!?
Protesting on the tracks is not the solution. It is dangerous for both you and the railway employees. It is illegal to trespass on the tracks, and trespassing is one of the reasons that the whistles are blasted. This would just make the situation worse.
The place to solve this problem is at City Hall. The Low Level Road Project would eliminate whistling at the uncontrolled crossings but this project is not without its issues. Local residents have been speaking out about this project at City Council meetings this year. See the post The Long and Twisted Low Road: CNV Took the High Road.
Port Metro Vancouver has promised additional public consultation for this project … get involved … watch the Port’s website for updates.
Keep a log of the times you are woken up,# of blasts(should never be more than 4,except in an emergency,they seem to have mainly emergency’s)BASHING box cars,squealing brakes,revving engines,and send them to: contact@cn.ca & community.complaints@portmetrovancouver.com as often as you can,weekly would be good,and your local municipal council.It always seems worse on stat holidays,weekends,etc when the Graveyard crew has to work and we don’t. Mine for Nov 11 2011: The # after the times are the # of BLASTS (C.N. calls it whistling) 0357-4,0403-5,0406-5,0421-4,0423-5,0438-6,0551-6,0556-9,0559-4,0606-6,0608-6,0613-11,with squealing brakes,bashing box cars,revving engines free of charge.
Greetings to the good people of North Vancouver!
Your suffering is noticed by the residents of the Quay Side comunity of New Westminster. The Quay Side community is a jewel of a place to live and beautiful in many ways. The only blight on an otherwise idyllic enviroment is the Rail Racket. You know the type: blasting air horns, shunting, crashing, screaching wheels, and at all hours of the night! Not cool, not acceptable, not healthy. Great people have tried to deal with the Rail execs and their battery af lawyers but to no avail. They’re bad neighbours and they don’t care.
Thanks for reading my rant. /Dan
Thanks for the support Dan,I have been talking to Graham from your area recently and am following what Peter is trying to accomplish in Ottawa,keep at it,we won’t give up,Mike.(mhaveruk@yahoo.ca)
I just dont understand the need for a 4 BLAST airhorn when idling across a access road “THAT IS RESTRICTED TO PORT PERSONNEL ONLY” I would assume that any port worker would at minimum have a G.E.D. equivalent and be able to look both ways before crossing the 2 slabs of steel on the ground and figure out,,,, Oh traintracks ! Also the 4 blast horn before entering the tunnel is ridiculous have any of you been in a cave or tunnel? Sound travels, a simple bell would echo wakeing any bums or shortcutters in the tunnel. I class action law suit is in order I think!!! This is just compleate B.S.
P.S. On a side note thank-you to the one or two engineers who are polite enough not to fully lay on the horn at 3am but rather give just a little toot.
To the other engineers who lay on the horn with a smile ..!.. ..!.. Karma will get you one day for being such a F.cki’n-a..hole. Have a good day.
Easter long weekend and the morons running the trains are making sure that if they have to work,NOBODY sleeps.(always bad on any weekend,especially bad on holidays) The # after the time is the # of BLASTS of the air horn,Squealing wheels,Bashing box cars is almost continuous. 2012-April 6-Good Friday-1:53 AM-5,2:04 AM-7,2:06AM-6,2:12 AM-7,2:26 AM-5,SAT-April 7-1:23AM-5,1:37AM-7,2:06AM-6,2:17AM-5,2:21AM-7,2:58AM-5,3:03AM-6,Sunday-April 8-2:51AM-5,3:03AM-7,3:37AM-6,4:04AM-4,4:41AM-7,5:13AM-6,(a lot of the previous ones were very loud with some very long)5:49AM-5,6:12 AM-7,6:54AM-6,7:25AM-5.By law they can only BLAST ****4**** times, EXCEPT in an EMERGENCY,whats wrong,they don’t know how to count?This has gone on for years,we have tried mediation with cn,getting ports Canada involved,our local government,nothing has changed.The mayor needs to have a council meeting on this train problem and advertise it so everyone in the district knows and can attend,you will have plenty of upset voters(check out RANT (residents against noisy trains)The Norgate association president will be waiting for your response, as will I.(Mike Haveruk,Norgate resident) STIR-(stop this insane racket)
Agreed unfortunately we have a mayor that does not care a bit about the average people in his riding he cannot hear anyone of us he is too busy listening to big business and big money
Too bad this man keep getting elected — too many people just dont care enough to get out and vote anymore
Subject-Rail noise,cn west Vancouver yard (NORGATE YARD) Sent to District of north Vancouver and community complaints@portmetrovancouver.com. The uncontrolled cn grave yard crew has been BLASTING the air horn,BASHING box cars,revving the engine starting at midnight or before and has lasted all night every night since last Sunday (april 22) this is now Wed april 25,the / of BLASTS has reached 11 in a row-well above 4 the allowable under federal law (except in an emergency) there seems to be A LOT OF EMERGENCYS (they are BLASTING at the Pemberton crossing (controlled crossing NO NEED TO BLOW) as I write this (9 times) We have been sending in complaints like this for years -NOTHING CHANGES-thanks for all the help,Disgusted Tax Payer,District of north Vancouver.
New to this rant thing. But glad it is here. Husband and I just about got out of bed to go down and inquire if this was really necessary. One full hour of intermittent blowing of horns? from 11:30 to 12:30 a.m. Really????? Then again at 5:30 am. Are they that mean, or is the politics of it that complex? Simply unbeliveable!!!!!!!!!!!!
Colleen, sorry to hear that you are affected by train whistles. You are not alone. One full hour of intermittent train whistles is unbelievable.
Is it necessary? The answer to that question may not be straightforward. It depends on where you live in relation to the railway. Do you live beside a railway crossing that is uncontrolled – meaning that it does not have flashing lights, gates and bells? If so, what is the location of the crossing? Also, do you live in the City of NV or the District of NV?
The cn graveyard crew was hard at it starting at 9:30 pm Sat May 12 and continuing all night ending at 4:40 AM,Sunday May 13 2012 (MOTHERS DAY) making sure nobody slept,there were between 5 and 9 BLASTS on the air horn(4 allowable except in an emergency) all night,BASHING box cars,squealing brakes,revving engine-continuous.cn does nothing to rectify this,port metro,District of North Vancouver need to GET INVOLVED,tax payers and voters are PISSED OFF.8-9 YEARS IS ENOUGH.DO SOMETHING.
What happened starting at 0236 (2:36 AM) this morning(Tues May 15-2012) is beyond belief,the MORONS running the train decided to play tag with the air horns-@0247 horn # 1-Blasted 13 times while horn #2 BLASTED 9 times,BOTH AT THE SAME TIME,UNBELIEVABLY LOUD,there were many more BLASTS in between.THE BASHING OF BOX CARS SOUNDED LIKE THUNDER,this intrusion on our lives went on till 0316,started hearing them again @ 0747.(Sent to cn, port metro Vancouver and the District of NORTH VANCOUVER.
Mike, have you received any explanation as to why the horns are blasted that many times?
I moved into one of the condos on Esplanade at Lonsdale in Nov 2011. Less than 8 months later I’m moving out due to the noise. The location seemed like a great alternative to the expensive condos of downtown or the unrenovated lowrises of Kitsilano (where I previously lived). The combination of incessant train honking and screeching transport truck traffic on Esplanade has me hightailing it out of here. I can’t wait to leave.
Heather, PMV is hoping for City Council to approve their rail yard expansion project on Monday, June 11th without any clear and concise direction on existing and future noise and pollution problems. They only just released their technical reports to us that we have been asking for for months. Would you consider attending the council meeting on Monday night and if you would, please come for 5:30 so you can sign up for a Public Input time of two minutes and not a second longer. Here you would be able to tell Council, PMV and your community who will be there to support your you and your claim your story. Tell them why you are leaving Heather, they need to hear it like you had to hear it. Your consideration would be great for all us. Sorry to see you leave LoLo, but it is totally understood. Best,