Railway Related Complaints
Complaints about train noise, whistles, general property maintenance, blocked crossings, should be directed to the CN Public Inquiry Line. CN will record, log and act on the complaint.
Complaints of emergency nature as well as relating to operational problems with grade crossing warning systems (lights, bells, gates), suspicious activities, trespassing on tracks, unlawful activity, should be directed to the CN Police. An officer will be dispatched when appropriate.
Road Related Railway Public Crossing Concerns
If you have a road related concern at a public grade crossing, such as the condition of the travel surface or reduced visibility sightlines resulting from vegetation, please contact Public Works at hello@parklandcounty.com or 780-968-8888
Train Whistle Cessation
Railways are governed by the federal Railway Safety Act. The general objective of the Act is to promote and provide for the public safety and protection of property and environment while continuing to improve railway safety and security through risk management and regulatory oversight.
A public grade crossing is where a roadway passes across a rail line at the same elevation. At public grade crossings, vehicles are required to stop and yield to the crossing train. Transport Canada’s Canadian Rail Operating Rules Section 14 (l) requires the train whistle to sound four times, in the following succession; long, long, short, long, at each public grade crossing, until the crossing if fully occupied by the train.
The Act provides that where a public grade crossing meets Transport Canada whistle cessation requirements, a municipality and the railway may agree to prohibit the use of train whistles. See Transport Canada Procedure for Eliminating Whistling at Public Grade Crossings. Generally it takes 2-3 years to implement train whistle cessation.
Over the years Parkland County Council has considered and supported whistle cessation requests. As depicted on the attached Status of Whistle Cessation Map, train whistles have been ceased at 15 of the 24 public grade crossings on the CN Rail Edson Subdivision rail line that passes through Parkland County.
Regardless of whether or not whistle cessation has been implemented, trains may still whistle occasionally at a public grade crossing or anywhere along the rail line. Transport Canada’s Canadian Rail Operating Rules Section 14 (f) requires trains to whistle a “succession of short sounds alarm for persons or animals on or near the track”.
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