25 July 2010

Council Trying to Silence Train Whistle

Fernie British Columbia - The coal train whistle has been a daily fixture in Fernie for generations, but moves are being made to silence it.
 
The City of Fernie council has passed a resolution asking staff to investigate the possible cessation or reduction of the sound of the whistle as the train passes through the community.
 
Councillors Mary Giuliano and Bernie Palmer brought the resolution to council after being approached by sleep-deprived residents who have had enough of the whistle blowing night and day.
 
Coun. Giuliano said that in City Hall files she found council discussions on the subject dating back to the 1980s, but that a resolution has never been reached.
 
Coun Giuliano said:  "Until this year I always said they should leave it because there were so many seniors that felt it was a historic thing to Fernie, and also because the whistle signifies prosperity here.
 
"But a lot of those people have since passed on. I saw things from a different perspective such as people who are working nights and find that it bothers them when they are sleeping through the day."
 
Coun Giuliano said she would not be in favour of fencing off the railway track through downtown, and she believes the main obstacle in getting the whistle silenced is the lack of gates on the crossing at 13th Street.
 
By law, a municipality seeking cessation of a whistle must first inform the rail company, the public, and other relevant organizations of their wish, and carry out a joint safety assessment with the rail company, which must be approved by Transport Canada.
 
Sarah Hof of Transport Canada said:  "For the elimination of train whistling at this crossing, the City of Fernie must demonstrate that the crossing meets specific safety guidelines, including that adequate warning systems are in place to compensate for the elimination of whistling.
 
"Depending on the operating characteristics of the crossing, this may mean that gates are required."
 
Hof added that the City would be responsible for the cost of crossing improvements, although Transport Canada has funds available to upgrade the safety level of crossings, and the City of Fernie has applied for such funds to upgrade the 13th Street crossing. The application has not yet been reviewed.
 
CP Rail spokesman Kevin Hrysak added that, although the company's community liaisons have been in contact with the City of Fernie, no formal request has been made for a change as yet.
 
He added:  "We would be happy to discuss the subject with the City, however our biggest priority is safety of human life, and there is a huge issue with trespassing on the tracks in Fernie, and the whistle is the most effective device to ensure that everyone is safe."
 
Rebecca Edwards.