Last year, the BNSF Railroad revised their train activity schedule in Albertville. Historically, BNSF trains had been on a daytime schedule and the trips to Albertville were limited to only a few trains per week. With the revised scheduling, Albertville has been experiencing train activity late in the evening and very early in the morning.

Train horns are required by the Federal Railroad Administration (to be blown at all public crossings, at all hours of the day, for the protection and safety of motorists and pedestrians using those crossings). Generally speaking, BNSF has to blow the horns for two long sounds, one short, and then a final long sound that carries through the crossing. Additionally, there are other circumstances that would require the trains to blow the horns away from the crossings. The most common is when someone is on or near the track, which is usually a long horn to warn them. The volume of the horn is federally regulated as well. It must be within the 96-110 decibels range. Given the close proximity of the crossing at Barthel Industrial Boulevard and Main Avenue, and the turn-around track in the center of the City, there are periods where the horn sounds many times within 45 to 60 minutes. 

The City had been working with BNSF Railroad to revise their late night schedule and review options to improve the crossings by creating a Quite Zone, which is a stretch of track where the Federal Railroad Administration allows the Railroad to limit when they are required to sound the horn.

Unfortunately, the City completed the Quiet Zone study and based not only on cost but on safety risk associated with quiet zone improvements, the study showed a quiet zone to not be feasible.

The City continues to encourage residents with questions or complaints regarding the train activity to contact BNSF’s Executive Director of Public Affairs, Lydia Bjorge at 651-298-2458 or email at Lydia.Bjorge@bnsf.com.