Rail Rage

The FORUM has had numerous phone calls and requests for help regarding problems concerning the trains in Blue Island. These photos were taken by a local citizen wondering why surrounding areas have Quiet Zones and we do not. Negotiations with railroads, and local governmental help, to have “Quiet Zones” put in areas usually takes about two years. We would like to have as many questionnaires filled out in order to help our community facilitate this process.

Please do your part to help!

Quiet Zones are public crossings where the railroad is excused from sounding the familiar “long-long-short-long” horn sequence upon a train’s approach to a grade crossing. It is important to note that this does not mean that a train will never sound its horn within an established quiet zone. Federal regulations and railroad operating rules require that the engineer sound the train’s horn in several instances, such as when approaching people or equipment working on the right-of-way. Moreover, engineers are permitted to sound the horn in a quiet zone if they believe that a situation exists that warrants operation of the horn, such as the presence of pedestrians or animals crossing over the tracks. Communities in Illinois should work with the Illinois Commerce Commission to establish new quiet zones. In most instances, the local community must bear the necessary costs to establish a quiet zone. Many communities in both Illinois and Indiana have negotiated agreements with CN that, in some instances, include arrangements for cost sharing related to the establishment of quiet zones. To find out more information about quiet zones and the requirements for establishing a quiet zone, see the website for the Federal Railroad Association: fra.dot.gov

Photo above: 111th & Rockwell; 119th & Maplewood