APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Appleton families will soon be able to sleep a little more soundly at night. The city is set to become a railroad quiet zone– meaning no more horns.
The train horns make it nearly impossible for one Appleton mom to get sleep before her 2:30 a.m. shift.
“The person just has a habit of doing it non-stop.” Rebecca Tabalske said about the train horn that keeps her up at night.
But in less than a months time, Tabalske and many others in Appleton should be able to get a full nights rest. The Federal Railroad Commission has approved Appleton’s application for a railroad quiet zone.
The quiet zone will cover the mainline that runs through Appleton. It goes into effect at 12 a.m. on October 3.
Railroad quiet zones prohibit routine horn blowing. If there is a potential emergency situation, the conductor can still blow the horn.
The final step in the process is notifying Canadian National Railroad, which the City of Appleton said they did last week.
In order to get approved for a quiet zone, the city had to make railroad intersections safer by adding medians and extra signs.
Overall, railroad neighbors like Robert Janssen tell FOX 11 they’re happy with the soon-to-be change.
“After living here for 22 years, when you’re outside you can’t hear other people talk and you can’t hold a conversation because of the train whistle going off.”
Janssen said he’s excited to finally use his porch again.
“Now with the quiet zone, hopefully, I’ll be able to sit outside and be able to talk with my wife back and forth, meanwhile the train is going by.”
The quiet zone will cover the mainline that runs through Appleton. It goes into effect at 12 a.m. on October 3rd.
