Port Moody will resurrect a task force to investigate complaints about late-night trains along the Ioco spur line disrupting residents.
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, Rosemary Small presented a petition to city council with 65 signatures from residents living along Ioco, Bentley, Sentinel and Alderside roads calling for action. She said they are being “bombarded by blaring horns” from the train at all hours of the night.
“Everybody is upset with what is happening,” Small said, adding the train used to run to and from the Imperial refinery at more reasonable daytime hours.
Small said some of the engineers blow the train’s horn loudly and aggressively when approaching a series of level crossings along the spur. She said some in the neighbourhood have even nicknamed one of the engineers “Captain Hornblower.”
Councillors last mobilized its task force dealing with train noise a few years ago when residents of the Klahanie neighbourhood complained about disruptive noise and vibrations where the spur line crosses Murray Street.
A report presented to council in early 2023 said it would cost the city about $179,400 to install infrastructure like gates and fencing at the crossing so trains wouldn’t have to blow their horns to alert motorists, pedestrians and cyclists when they’re approaching. It also suggested similar measures be considered further along the spur line.
But getting the federally-regulated train company on board can take awhile.
In New Westminster, residents along that city’s waterfront lobbied for almost two decades to get trains to stop blowing their horns when approaching level crossings on Quayside Drive as well as the foot of Begbie and Fourth streets.
Jeff Moi, Port Moody’s general manager of engineering and operations, said the city stays in contact with CPKC staff to discuss common issues.
“It does make sense to get the parties together to resolve this,” he said.
A spokesperson for CPKC told the Tri-City News the railway's "activity in the area is operating normally."
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