Rogue Train Engineers Blow Through Quiet Zone

Norfolk Southern freight trains have been blowing their horns at all hours of the day while passing through Oak Lawn, just months after the Federal Railroad Administration declared the village a train horn-free zone.

Last December, a new federal law prohibiting trains from blowing their horns while passing through Oak Lawn—except for emergencies—went into effect. The law was designed to reduce the estimated annual to zero for residents living near the Metra tracks.

For the past week, the Norfolk Southern freight line in particular has been blasting its horns in the early-morning hours, eliciting complaints from residents.

Village Manager Larry Deetjen said that rogue engineers continue to ignore the new federal regulations.

“It’s usually the same engineer in the early mornings,” Deetjen said. “He’s a rogue engineer. These are professionals who operate large and complex pieces of equipment. They’re no different than a pilot and they know the rules of the road.”

Deetjen said he’s received several citizen complaints regarding the train horns this week. A resident reported an eastbound Norfolk and Southern #9696 train blasting its horn through the 54^th and Central railroad crossing at 11:38 a.m. on May 18.

“This issue is a high priority for Oak Lawn,” Deetjen said. “The quiet zone is important and the village, with the excellent help of residents, will see the quiet zone violations are completely eliminated.”

Oak Lawn Patch also asked residents if they've noticed increased train horn blows through the village on its Facebook page, and got seven responses.

The village manager has been collecting documentation from residents and forwarding it to the Federal Railroad Administration. The village has also sought the help of Congressman Dan Lipinski’s (D-IL) office. Lipinski assisted the village in obtaining federal designation as a train horn-free zone.

Train engineers who violate the federally regulated quiet zone are subject to fines.

“We’re not satisfied with 90 percent compliance, but 100 percent compliance,” Deetjen said. “We collect those complaints from residents and send them to the Federal Railroad Administration.”

Oak Lawn’s quiet zone includes the crossings at Cicero Avenue, 95^th Street, Kilbourn Avenue, 52^nd Avenue, Cook Avenue, 54^th Avenue and Central Avenue.

“We have come a long way in short time, but we will not accept violations,” Deetjen said. “The rules are backed by the United States Congress and Oak Lawn residents deserve ‘quality of life’ compliance.”

Residents who hear train-blasts are encouraged to jot down the time and train number, and email the information to Village Manager Deetjen at ldeetjen@oaklawn-il.gov.