Post Falls, Rathdrum area, Train Yard Noise? (Hauser, Hope: power lines, how much)

[Mountain-Man]

I've been considering a move to Northern Idaho and have looked at several communities. When looking at country properties north of Post Falls/Rathdrum area. I noticed there is a large Train Yard. One property that I really like is within 1/4 mile of this train yard, along highway 53. If there is anyone that lives in this area that could testify to the amount of noise this train yard generates at night, it would be helpful in my decision. I don't think I would be able to sleep at night with the sound of train engines, train horns and train cars that go bump in the night. But there seems to be quite a few homes in this area, so maybe its not so bad??

Attached is a Google Earth Screenshot of the area in mention.

~Thanks

[elousv]

That is a refueling depot and the trains can drive through as opposed to having to detach. There are a lot of trains, seems almost constant. I have trouble crossing the 53 sometimes when they block 2 or three intersections at at time. There is a plan to "bridge the valley" but that is a ways off with the state of the economy. I don't live too close to the depot but I imagine it is plenty noisy. When riding along the 53 some of those engines are really loud. The horns of course are also loud, and useless. I can smell asphalt on Pleasant View and Prairie, don't know if it would go all the way to where you are talking. Be advised that it is much more windy out in the open out there. I would look on the other side of the 53 in Hidden Valley for instance back in the woods a few miles.

[silverfox]

Originally Posted by elousv

That is a refueling depot and the trains can drive through as opposed to having to detach. There are a lot of trains, seems almost constant. I have trouble crossing the 53 sometimes when they block 2 or three intersections at at time. There is a plan to "bridge the valley" but that is a ways off with the state of the economy. I don't live too close to the depot but I imagine it is plenty noisy. When riding along the 53 some of those engines are really loud. The horns of course are also loud, and useless. I can smell asphalt on Pleasant View and Prairie, don't know if it would go all the way to where you are talking. Be advised that it is much more windy out in the open out there. I would look on the other side of the 53 in Hidden Valley for instance back in the woods a few miles.

Hi,

Not sure if you know where this is ...

Golden Spike Estates 55+ housing
8580 Yosemite
Rathdrum Idaho

Considering, and having a hard time trying to find out the O.A. Train effect on this area.
As you point out, it's not just noise pollution.

Can you help ??

Thanks.

SF

[elousv]

It looks like a nice little community, clean and simple. It was quiet this afternoon, but it is Sunday. Close to town. I don't know how much noise that train refueling station makes. There is also a concrete plant or gravel pit type thing close by. The Golden Spike is at the end of civilization if you will and I am not sure what it is zoned for just on the other side of the fence. Looks like high power lines going by too. As far as train horns, Greensferry has an underpass so they don't blow there and downtown just made a "silent zone" so that should eliminate a lot of toots. If I were in charge I would ban those things countrywide. I just read that they want to ship coal to China so 50 trains a day of coal would come through from Wyoming and Montana on the way to the coast. So that would be more noise and pollution from coal dust.

[rcnguyen]

We moved to Post Falls just last week, near HWY 41. I can hear train whistles at night, but they aren't loud... they're actually kind of relaxing (although they woke me up one time). Unfortunately I'm not yet familiar enough with the area to comment on HWY 53.

[silverfox]

Originally Posted by elousv

It looks like a nice little community, clean and simple. It was quiet this afternoon, but it is Sunday. Close to town. I don't know how much noise that train refueling station makes. There is also a concrete plant or gravel pit type thing close by. The Golden Spike is at the end of civilization if you will and I am not sure what it is zoned for just on the other side of the fence. Looks like high power lines going by too. As far as train horns, Greensferry has an underpass so they don't blow there and downtown just made a "silent zone" so that should eliminate a lot of toots. If I were in charge I would ban those things countrywide. I just read that they want to ship coal to China so 50 trains a day of coal would come through from Wyoming and Montana on the way to the coast. So that would be more noise and pollution from coal dust.

Thanks much Elousv for the picture and your comments too.
I talked to the owners of the community today and they said that there was a rail about 1 mile away and they could at times feel the trains going by, but once inside there wasn't much noise. I am not sure how to gauge a biased answer of this kind.
50 added trains a day is HUGE, and I agree on the added noise and possible coal pollution to the whole area could be a factor.
Even though China is still building Coal Fired Plants like crazy it is also building Nuclear plants as fast as they can, so sometime down the road they will reduce their coal requirements but that could be quite a while.
They are in the process of Hoarding all the Natuaral Resources they can get there hands on at a Deal, with all the Dollars we send them for Wally World Junk etc. etc.
Since this would be our last move I am very scepticle about making the wrong move. This place looks very nice on paper, but as usual there can be more to the story if you dig a little.
I am curious as to how you heard about the China coal deal? I would like to research/follow it a little more.

Thanks again,

SF

[elousv]

It was in the local newspaper, CDA Press. You can google on 'stop the coal trains'. The article mentioned Peobody Energy could export 24M tons/year.

[dsmathers]

Elousv:
I live just of hwy53 not far from the refueling station and switching yard. The trains are very noisy and the seem to change cars at all times. They do a lot of banging and clanging also the Engines Idle and that is very annoying. When bought our property in1978 we had a lot of trees across from our property and that toned down the noise. But someone bough the adjoining property and cut down some trees so the trains got louder and louder. we also have trouble using the crossing at MaQuire Rd. If they put more coal trains traveling through it will be a lot wore. Hope this makes your decision easier. Oh by the way we are not far from Hauser lake.
D S

[dsmathers]

Elousv
Hi. I just did a reply to you and it was meant for I believe the Mountain Man.
I am sorry. Thanks D. S.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

The Mountain Man hasn't been back since 2011, but I'm sure your story will help others decide. Welcome to the forum!