Whining Whistle-Haters Win In Madison
When I lived on the west side of Madison, and the air was clear late at night so sound could easily travel, I would often hear the train whistle near Middleton. The plaintive cry from the engine would sing-song its way over the neighborhood, and stir my soul. There is a quality to the sound of a train in the night that conjures up images of adventure, romance, and history.
When we moved to our downtown Madison house last year I was pleased to know that the train tracks were just a few blocks away, and I could hear the whistle almost daily. In fact, on our many long walks through the neighborhood we have often walked towards the sound of the train whistle, only to stand near the tracks and feel the rumble and power as the cars roll on to their destination. During the chaotic fall of 2007 the trains were calming for both James and myself. For me the daily train whistle was truly a part of healing my soul.
I had written on September 11th, 2007, “As I shucked late season corn outside in the backyard the trains were competing with the strong winds for dominance. It all combined for a symphony of sorts in downtown Madison that should be enjoyed rather than railed against.”
So I am saddened that the trains in my part of the city will be ordered to stop blowing their whistles on January 30th. Of all the legitimate things that residents could contact their alders about, it seems train whistles might be low on the list. Mike Verveer, a downtown alderman said in the Capital Times Thursday that the whistle has never bothered him personally. But he says he has heard “nothing but complaints for the past year and a half.” Alderwoman Brenda Konkel also seems to have had her fair share of calls and rants about the trains. It appears that those who whine about the trains have their alders on speed dial.
So I am sure that those who have complained about the trains are not the same ones who sit with their cell phones at Borders and talk loudly, as though the cafe is their office away from home. I am certain that these sound-sensitive souls do not drive on the streets of our city with music blaring, and the bass turned to a bone-rattling level. I am positive that these are not the same uncivil ones who love a chat session with friends during the music at Concerts On The Square.
Truth is I feel kind of sorry for the whiners who miss the joy that comes from a train whistle. I may have to give up the sound here on a daily basis, but some of my fellow citizens who complained about it never got to ever truly understand how wonderful it was. That might be the saddest part to this whole story, since the train whistle’s passing is a part of Americana that will never return.
Technorati Tags: Trains, TrainWhistle, Madison, Wisconsin, MikeVerveer, BrendaKonkel
RSS - Posts
I am one of those supposed “whiners.”
I don’t live blocks from the trains; the tracks run next to my building. Each time one goes by, not only does my 3 story apartment building shake, but it is as if the train explodes through my brain. The whistles don’t just blow once a day or even twice. It is more than hourly. I cannot hold a conversation with visitors, can’t talk on the phone when the trains are going through. I can’t study, can’t think straight. I have a home business and can’t work well here anymore.
I moved here before the quiet study. Back then, the noise wasn’t like this and during the 5 yr study there was zero noise. So please don’t make it out like we all just woke up one day and decided to ruin your life for no good reason. I, too, have happy memories of train whistles. But this is a whole different level of intrusive, excruciating NOISE, not music.
Accepting responsibility includes making financially sound decisions for my family within the limits of my resources. Few people have unlimited options. I have a disability which limits me greatly and makes me extremely sensitive to noise of this type. If I try to move from this apartment, there is a good chance I will be homeless. I have been trying to move for several years with no luck. Sometimes effective, intelligent decision-making even extends to discussing a situation with an alder person. It is not something I have done before nor since. But they are there for a reason.
I am angered at the belittling use of the word “complain.” Change is only fostered if someone voices a desire for it. Disparaging people who hold beliefs that differ from one’s own has become a very destructive phenomenon in our society. This is not Friday Night Smackdown and seeming verbal cleverness that mocks others is not constructive, it is only mean.
Instead of attacking innocent renters/homeowners who are simply availing themselves of the system in place to ask for help (the city council), I would encourage you to use your energy to join me in developing a workable solution. I have no desire to rob you of your joy of train whistles, I don’t know why you feel the need to rob me of the sanity of quiet I so badly need.
I totally agree with you. I only live a few blocks from the train tracks, so the whistles are relatively loud, but I’ve never minded it. Also, I think that when you choose to live somewhere you should accept responsibility for that choice. If it means you’re near trains or are in a restricted parking area, that’s life. If you don’t want those things, you should have chosen to live somewhere else.
Did anyone research to find out whether the train whistle is occurring more often or at a different time than usual?
Are they leaving their windows open all the time?