Quiet zone means no more ‘woo woo’ from choo choo

Waelder residents will soon be able to sleep better at night by cutting the “woo woo” out of the choo choo.

During last Monday’s city council meeting, the Waelder city council voted unanimously to silence train horns by creating a quiet zone within the entire area between the east and west city limits.

A quiet zone mandates train conductors sound warning horns only in emergencies. If no quiet zone is in place, trains must blast their horns as they approach each railroad crossing.

In addressing the council, Gene Kruppa with Befco Engineering reprised a proposed idea of a quiet zone in the area of Highway 97 and Main Street.

“We had a diagnostic discussion with TxDOT, Union Pacific and FRA (Federal Railroad Administration),” Kruppa told the council. “And Union Pacific is going to purchase the crossing at Main Street and Highway 90 for $40,000. The crossing will be closed, allowing the city to close that street so we can create the quiet zone.”

While the crossing at Main Street wlll be closed, the remaining three crossings that run parallel to it will stay open.

Kruppa also said the next step would be to submit a Notice of Intent to TxDOT, Union Pacific and the FRA.

“Once we get their comments back, then I’ll bring them to you to address,” he told the council. “We can establish a day the quiet zone can start.”

Kruppa said the quiet zone should be completed within six months.

Constable Raleigh Measom told the council the train speeds were 65 mph for freight, and 70 for Amtrak. Kruppa added that the speed limits for the trains would not change.

“At the next city council meeting, I should be able to tell you how much the project will cost,” Kruppa said.