There are two coal mines within fairly close proximity to Newcastle. The train tracks run along the northern side of the town and across Main Street, then turn east and south. Trains that pass through town have three street crossings within ear-shot of my apartment, one only half a block behind the cottage.
Regardless of the flashing lights and gates that lower when a train nears, it is still law for trains to announce their arrival by blowing their horns. Most conductors are conservative, giving two or three quick pulls as they near each intersection. Others take their horn-blowing very seriously, and feel that if they do not blow four or five times then some citizen may be caught unawares by the thousands of tons of steel hurtling down the tracks, the flashing lights, and the lowered gates.
Then there are the conductors that realize just how important their horn-blowing duties are, and understand that if they aren't as obnoxious as they possibly can be then someone will almost certainly step out in front of the train. These fine conductors rarely let up on the horn as they pass through town, blowing it continuously from the time they near Newcastle to several hundred yards after they've crossed the last intersection.
It is estimated that around 60 trains pass through Newcastle every 24 hours.
1 comment:
I know where of you speak. I too lived with train whistles in a small town
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