The concerns for area residents expressed by letter-writer John Vaughan in “Train chaos” in the Aug. 19 issue is commendable indeed.
My letter is intended to motivate train engineers to contemplate more care and compassion for the many citizens who are asleep while they are travelling through in the middle of the night.
Fact of the matter is this: On the two-kilometre stretch of railway along Mission Highway when entering Abbotsford, there are four railway crossings. Two are guarded; the two smaller ones are not.
What is so annoying is the fact that countless train engineers activate their blaring train whistles at least four to six times for each crossing. This totals up to 24 penetrating whistles at least four times a week in the middle of the night.
This is, as my father would say, “ Enough to make a preacher swear.”
Many residents living in the area complain a blue streak. But what can they do to try to stop this nonsense?
Now there may be a slim chance that something can be done if the Abbotsford mayor and council would strike a deal with the railway companies to cut down this noise to a reasonable and safe level at night. Other areas have a one-time whistle for each crossing at night. That would truly cut down on this utter nonsense.
After all, some other country plans to use our Canadian railway. That should be worth a bit of consideration for the rest of us, don’t you agree?
Gertie Pool, Abbotsford
