The sound of blaring train whistles in a rural community north of Brockville is not uncommon, but at least one resident would like them eliminated, and has sent a request to the local council to initiate the process.
For Coulter Argue and his family, the sight and sounds of VIA Rail passenger trains whizzing by is something they are used too.
An email sent to council in August asks the municipality to eliminate the whistles at Jellyby, Rocksprings, Island and Yule roads crossings north of Brockville. He says the daytime whistles do not bother him, but would like to see them changed at night for the sake of his one-year-old daughter. "As far as I'm concerned, train whistles are necessary. They've been there for years," Brayton said in an interview."I've always taken the common sense approach and I think this is common sense unless somebody can prove to me it's different," he said. On average, six VIA Rail passenger trains use the line daily between Ottawa and Brockville, with freight traffic occurring overnight.
"I don't think they should cancel the horn completely, but they should think about turning it down," added Argue, who noted the crossing near his home could have an added layer of protection.