I love trains. They are a great way to move both people and freight. But based on my experience with Southern Pacific, I think that the Ventura County Transportation Commission should look long and hard if S.P. would be the freight carrier.
I live on Channel Drive in Ventura where the train tracks run right behind the buildings. In our apartment buildings, people get used to the noise and rumble of the trains. However, on too many occasions, we have had them idling for long periods of time. This means constant noise and diesel fumes.
Awhile back, a train was abandoned for days, and S.P. didn’t know about it until someone in our building called them. Over this past Christmas weekend, a train was idling from Thursday morning until Monday night, despite many calls from residents. The diesel fumes made it impossible to be in the the carport and apartment courtyard because they accumulated and were so strong. It was a health hazard to anyone with respiratory problems. And even though it was a hot weekend, people with apartments facing the tracks could not open their windows because of the noise and fumes.
So, a word of caution when it comes to freight trains.
— Lilith, Ventura
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