03-25-2023, 11:14 AM
(03-24-2023, 05:46 PM)ac3r Wrote: Hopefully prior to signing on the dotted line for your condo you did in fact accept that living literally right beside a) one of the Canadian National mainlines b) a Metrolinx train yard c) a train station would indeed be a loud place to live.
Metrolinx may say they won't idle trains longer than they need but obviously that changes. As mentioned above, diesel locomotives are not an easy thing to cold start so they really don't like to shut them down, particularly in the winter months. It's just the nature of the technology and location, so it isn't that "ridiculous" as someone said. Annoying I'm sure, but probably something you'll have to get used to if you plan on living there long term.
As someone who lives beside a freight yard, and knew so when signing on the dotted line, I don't think it's controversial to wish for improvements. I truly don't expect anything to ever change, but I also know that my quality of life would improve if I wasn't smelling diesel fumes every day or being kept awake by the constant screeching and clanging from the train yard. It's similar to people who move near the Boardwalk and complain of the smell - obviously they should have done their diligence before moving in, but it would still improve their lives to eliminate it. At least the idling train problem is a much quicker and easier fix.
To the original complaint about the trains running overnight, my understanding is that shore power facilities are supposed to prevent this. It's hard on the engines to run 24/7, not to mention the huge amounts of wasted fuel while idling (an no, they aren't saving fuel by idling all night instead of having to re-start in the morning). Considering KW is proposing to have thousands of people move within earshot of this area, I think it would be in their best interest to convince Metrolinx to install shore power receptacles. It seems like a pretty simple way to win a lot of votes in the area, at least.