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Background
Trains are required by the federal government to sound their locomotive horns at all at-grade railroad crossings and when unsafe situations are present near the railroad. The horns are sounded regardless of the time of day.
Bloomington has a long history with freight rail trains transporting goods through the community. Two railroad companies operate in Bloomington, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Progressive Railroad.
The CPKC railroad has 4 at-grade crossings that require horns to be sounded at each crossing.
Progressive railroad has 22 at-grade crossings that require horns to be sounded at each crossing.
In late summer 2024, CPKC trains began traveling overnight on this track. The city heard from some residents who were understandably disturbed by the overnight train horns, along with the train noise itself. CPKC has indicated their trains are traveling this line on a nighttime schedule to best meet customer and operational needs.
While we understand this is an unwelcome disruption, neither the city nor the state has the authority to tell the railroad when or how they can operate.
Federal Train Horn Rules
Railroads are regulated at the federal level, including a safety regulation requiring crews to sound locomotive horns at crossings. Learn more about the Federal Railroad Administration’s safety protocols.
Federal regulations have a process for communities to partner with the railroad to greatly reduce the frequency of train horns, referred to as quiet zones, while maintaining safety compliance.
How to have your voice heard
Submit noise complaints on the interactive map or via the survey question below so they can be organized and shared with council.
Community members with additional questions may also contact CPKC Community Connect customer service at 1.800.766.7912 or communityconnect@cpkcr.com.
Background
Trains are required by the federal government to sound their locomotive horns at all at-grade railroad crossings and when unsafe situations are present near the railroad. The horns are sounded regardless of the time of day.
Bloomington has a long history with freight rail trains transporting goods through the community. Two railroad companies operate in Bloomington, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Progressive Railroad.
The CPKC railroad has 4 at-grade crossings that require horns to be sounded at each crossing.
Progressive railroad has 22 at-grade crossings that require horns to be sounded at each crossing.
In late summer 2024, CPKC trains began traveling overnight on this track. The city heard from some residents who were understandably disturbed by the overnight train horns, along with the train noise itself. CPKC has indicated their trains are traveling this line on a nighttime schedule to best meet customer and operational needs.
While we understand this is an unwelcome disruption, neither the city nor the state has the authority to tell the railroad when or how they can operate.
Federal Train Horn Rules
Railroads are regulated at the federal level, including a safety regulation requiring crews to sound locomotive horns at crossings. Learn more about the Federal Railroad Administration’s safety protocols.
Federal regulations have a process for communities to partner with the railroad to greatly reduce the frequency of train horns, referred to as quiet zones, while maintaining safety compliance.
How to have your voice heard
Submit noise complaints on the interactive map or via the survey question below so they can be organized and shared with council.
Community members with additional questions may also contact CPKC Community Connect customer service at 1.800.766.7912 or communityconnect@cpkcr.com.
To better gauge how residents are being impacted by overnight train horns, the City is asking residents to let us know where it was heard along with the date and time.
