Carstairs Alberta - Although some residents of Carstairs would prefer train whistles not be blown in town, officials say it's a life or death matter.
 
Two people died in Cochrane over the summer after being struck by trains, which sheds light on the safety of the whistle.
 
Canadian Pacific Railway spokesperson Salem Woodrow said train engineers are required by law to sound whistles at all public grade crossings within Canada.
 
"The rules apply 24 hours a day and the whistle must be sounded even if the crossing has flashing lights, bells, and crossing gates," said Woodrow.
 
"The train whistle is a significant safety appliance, which provides a last warning to the public of an approaching train."
 
Carl McDonnell, chief administrative officer for the Town of Carstairs, said town officials have been working with CP officials on the possibility of ceasing whistles in town, but the municipality would have to take on the liability of injuries and fatalities.
 
"We feel it's important for safety," said McDonnell.
 
In order to cease the whistle practice, the town would be required to spend money on an engineering study to determine if the crossings are safe, which would cost roughly $20,000 per crossing.
 
"If part of the requirement is still that we would take on the liability if someone were to be killed or injured at the tracks, we don't want to spend the $20,000 on that engineering study," he said.
 
"If we do these studies and then start the application process but we find at the end that there's something in there that we just can't agree with, there's no point in us doing that study and spending those dollars."
 
Officials are looking at various avenues, like having train engineers blow the whistle during the daytime but not from 23:00 to 07:00.
 
McDonnell said it would be nice if the whistle was not blown at night, especially during this time of year when people have their windows open.
 
Patricia Riley.