The Portland & Western switch engine was working to build a train in the Albany yard at Queen Avenue on Nov. 28, 2025.
Over the years Albany drivers have developed a great deal of patience when it comes to waiting at the railroad crossing on Queen Avenue. But what choice do they have?
On a recent Friday afternoon, the bike and I found ourselves at the crossing just as the switch engine in the Albany yard was going over the street, blowing its horn the required number of times.
After the train had stopped on the other side and the crossing arms went up, I waited on the other side for the return trip, hoping to record the volume of the horn.
But it didn’t sound even though, backing up, the train caused the crossing to close again. If you want to see me waiting in vain for the horn to sound, check this:
From the time stamps on photos on my phone, I see that the crossing was closed for 23 minutes, with one break in the middle for vehicles (and bike riders) to go through.
Doug Hiddleson runs an automotive shop near the crossing. For years he has tried to get the railroad to lower the volume of the switch engine’s horn. The horns of passing Amtrak and Union Pacific trains aren’t nearly as loud, he says, and still do the job.
That’s why I was waiting there at the crossing that afternoon, hoping to hear that switch engine horn and record it. But it wasn’t until I had given up and was half a mile away on my ride that I heard the three blasts, faintly this time and kind of pleasant to my ears.
People working near the crossing hear the horn all day long. Maybe one day Doug’s campaign to lower the volume will catch the ear of somebody at the railroad who can turn its volume down. (hh)
Doug Hiddleson, outside his shop near the crossing, on Nov. 17, 2025, would like the switch engine’s horn to be less loud.
Drivers wait in the eastbound lanes of Queen Avenue for the crossing to reopen about 4 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2025.
I always laugh when folks KNOWINGLY move next to railroad tracks or an airport or a farm and then whine and cry about the noise or smell.
Has anything thought to check into to see if the volume of the horn requirements are different for a switching yard than they are for commercial/passenger trains.
There are often tonal differences in horns due to equipment manufacturers or operators. Even if the decibal levels are the same it’s possible for one horn to be perceived as louder than the other.
I’m mostly deaf, but loud noises such as that whistle are excruciatingly painful. Not everybody is in the sound deadening confines of a vehicle.
Imagine a pedestrian in foul weather being patient……… One can imagine one finally getting too frustrated since “nothing is happening” and decides to cross.
grew up on the east side of town and church was st mary’s. all 5 of us were told if we were good in church and there was a train blocking the queen tracks on the way home we could stop at the spudnut shop at the corner. we all rooted for the train to be blocking. now 60 years later i will not go on queen
Doug could request a decibel test at that crossing from the railroad. I lived in Eugene across from a switching yard and the railroad would do decibel tests periodically.
There is no need for people to have to wait long periods of time for the Queen Ave crossing to open. One of the benefits of the Pacific Blvd overpass was to provide auto drivers and alternative route over the rail yard. I always travel in the right lane o. Queen Ave to provide a way to turn around and take an alternate route if needed.
The horns on passing UP freight trains and Amtrak passeng er trains are the same. The UP and Amtrak trains are traveling past the Queen ave crossing at a higher speed, whereas the P&W switcher is near stopped when it blows it’s horn. A totally different dynamic in sound.
The decibel output of locomotive horns is regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration and it’s likely all Portland & Western’s locomotive are in compliance. The purpose of the horn is as a warning device and reducing the volume to accommodate Queen Avenue neighbors isn’t a viable option.