The Edmonds waterfront has been a bit noisier during the past several weeks, as problems with the wayside crossing horns mean that approaching trains are again sounding their onboard horns as they approach town.
The problem – water. Lots of water.
The issue surfaced in the wake of the early December rain and windstorms that brought flooding to many areas of Western Washington. While the horns at the Main Street crossing survived the onslaught, the weather knocked out the Dayton Street horns.
According to City of Edmonds Traffic Engineer Bertrand Haus, the city responded by immediately taking the Dayon Street horns offline until the problem can be studied and a plan put in place to make repairs.
“Following the most recent major rainstorm on Dec. 5, the wayside horns at the Dayton Street railroad crossing were turned off temporarily,” Haus explained via email. “An internal city meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss the possible next steps in resolving this ongoing issue. The wayside horns at the Main Street railroad crossing remain fully functional.”
Haus went on to explain that until the Dayton Street wayside horn system is back in service, trains approaching from both directions will sound their horns as they approach Edmonds.
Intended to mitigate unnecessary noise in downtown Edmonds, the wayside horn system is designed to direct the high-volume audible warning signal to the crossing areas and approaching traffic, and away from adjacent residential and business areas. The system became operational in mid-2019, but was beset with startup problems including coordinating operations with BNSF, and even a suspected lightning strike.
— Story and photos by Larry Vogel
I’m so happy to hear the train horns again! Hate the wayside warning horns ugly metallic sound.
I completely agree and if you are close by they are almost worse than the trains themselves!
All my life I have always stopped at railroad crossings, looked both ways before going over the rails. It helps to have your window down.
I love the train horns. Get rid of those pathetic warning horns.
Yes please! How do we make this happen?
Ditto. Train horns do not stop working with rain or weather conditions like wind on the waterfront. They are not suspectable to computer outages. And they are the responsibility of the RR. Those things should be enough reason not to have these silly tinny whatever they are! Silly idea in the first place.
Wayside horns are the best-as with everything when it comes to Edmonds City Council let’s have a quorum. Money was paid and the majority of people that live near the tracks love the wayside horns. Fix the problem!!
The problem, Steve, in case you didn’t read the article is “water, lots of it”. Can you fix that? Can you plan for that? The reality is the “wayside horns” is the citizenry paying for the rich, who purchased homes next the tracks then complained about the noise. If the rich want quiet, they should pay for it – not everyone else.
Why should the horn system be any more susceptible to water than other traffic infrastructure? Should be solvable and preventable
Bill, I didn’t realize the apartment and condo dwellers by the tracks were the “rich” me thinks your misguided
again, bought or moved by the tracks, now complain about the noise. Maybe we should just abdicate all responsibility for every single decision and when things go exactly as we want, make everyone else pay.
Sorry, that’s not a world I want.
I have always loved the sound of train horns and absolutely hated the sound of the wayside horns! I understand the reasoning but could they at least sound like a quieter version of a real train horn rather than the distortion of sound that would make you think those expensive wayside speakers were blown!
I have so enjoyed hearing the trains again!! If the directional horns sounded like a train, but quieter, that would be best. The train horn “solution” is not good! Lots of money and unpleasant sound. Train horns were one of the things I loved about Edmonds!
I have been so happy to hear the horns again. Don’t waste the time and money to fix them. Some of us buy homes near the tracks because we enjoy the horns.
Bring back the train horns!!!! City Council, Please use some common sense for once. EVERYONE knows what a train horn means. If you own property near RR tracks, you expect noise. Simple.
Hoping to get a permanent solution ASAP for those of us who now cannot sleep due to sheer volume of those train horn warnings. Please!!
I love the sound of the real train horns.
It is great to hear the trains again. Let them continue.
I like the wayside horns. Most people that live away from the tracks like the sound. I get that. When me and my family are at the marina the trains start blasting at the marina point its loud. You have to stop talking to each other and wait till the train goes by. Wayside horns are the answer. It makes the port area attractive. Now lets go sailing. Ken Davis Quicksilver.
Apparently none of the above people live close to the tracks or possibly they’ve lost their hearing. Horns are fine during the day but they go often 3, 4, or more times from midnight to 6 am. You can’t have your windows open and even closed they blast you out of bed. Hope it’s fixed soon.
Train horns are the sound of America!
Train horns are noise pollution and the wayside horns are much quieter for those of us up on the hill. People far away from the crossings don’t need the unnecessary disturbance. They are not at risk.
Please do the fix ASAP
No way train noises! we have too many outside noise as it is…
On top of being “broke;” Edmonds has now become “horney.” And, apparently, some citizens prefer being “horney,” which could help solve being “broke,” in some small little way. It’s all good!
Yay. I hope the artificial horn stays broken. The real train horn sounds so much better. The fake horn sounds like a croaking walrus.
Transportation noise? If that is a serious concern, what about the daily whine and thunder of jet engines overhead? Sometimes it sounds like they are going to land on our north-of-Westgate/south-of-Main roof. I have used the contact number PAE provides for those occasions.
Noise concern is real and impacts our quality of life. Its consequence comes down to where you choose to reside. Tracks provide a definite indication, while the sky’s path is variable.
With the upcoming expansion of SeaTac North (Seattle Paine Field International Airport), the sky will only become busier. Progress, I know. But also, in the name of progress, why can’t Boeing, with its billions, invest more to design quieter commercial aircraft? Are you listening, Rep. Larson?
Edmonds charm is not only visual. We mustn’t forget to protect the audio component.
The natural sounds of water, wildlife, the wind in the trees, etc., feed the soul. I miss the call of the barred owl which lived in a large wooded stand nearby. The felling of the towering evergreens shook our home and took the owl’s away.
Mitigating the most obtrusive noise, whether from planes, trains or vehicles, should be a priority in sustaining our city’s intrinsic value.
In extremely hazy weather, I love hearing the fog horn. It says ‘home.’ Safe harbors, Edmonds.
Before approving the acquisition of the Wayside warning system, the mayor and council studied and took responsibility for their decision. It provides a safer warning to relevant pedestrian and vehicle traffic and reduces overall noise pollution. It is called progress.
I agree with your opinion so much Lou Peters
I find it interesting and kind of whimsical that some of us view fog horns as good and part of the natural ambiance of a pleasant seaside Edmonds; but train horns and jet engine noises are bad and a detriment, somehow, to the pleasures of living here. People knowingly purchase a home next to railroad tracks and then complain about the noise and vibrations. Or, people purchase a home next to a meandering river or stream and then complain when the natural meandering of the stream renders their home useless. Why doesn’t the city or state or federal government do something about these “problems?”
We live by the train station and tracks and believe me, the train horns alone are gentler on our ears and don’t sound on and on well past the actual train. This is a welcome “problem!” Please leave be. The train horn, crossing arm, bells ringing and lights are enough. Listen to your citizens!!
Apparently there are a lot of people out there who just LOVE being woken out of their sleep at 1:00 am or 3:00 am. to the sound of a train horn. I am NOT among them! I personally look forward eagerly to a full nights sleep.
We so appreciate the train horns, and their added safety and more directed noise. Sure, we love the romantic distant sound of trains, but for those who live near the tracks, the horns have made sleep, watching TV, conversation possible. The state & federal governments have spent millions over the past decades building sound walls along the interstates to improve life in adjacent neighborhoods. Train horns do the same. To those who live further away, who miss the real horns, thanks for understanding how the newer horns improve the lives of others.
I work at the Edmonds Harbor Inn and prior to the wayside horns being installed, the train noise was easily our biggest complaint from our guests. The wayside horns very much solved that issue for us. Now, we are starting to hear grumblings again about the train horn’s blowing at all hours which impacts people’s decisions to stay with us, or go somewhere else. Our hotel is one of the largest contributors of tax revenue for the local municipalities and as a result if we start to lose business because of the noise, this will also affect the amount of tax revenue we contribute which ultimately hurts everyone in Edmonds.