Train whistles warn homeless, irk neighbours near tracks

Residents in the Newton area of Surrey, B.C., have been sleeping a little less soundly due to an increase in the frequency and length of train whistles in their neighbourhood.

And the homeless are to blame.

“We’ve had a significant increase in complaints from that area in the past two weeks,” said J. Singh Biln, director of community relations and chief mechanical officer for the Southern Railway of B.C., which has tracks running through New Westminster, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

The complaints — at least 20 — have come from mostly people who live adjacent to the tracks between 64th and 72nd avenues.

Biln said that train operators are required to blow their whistles at every crossing, regardless of whether it’s controlled. Generally, it’s a series of long and short blasts that last about 20 seconds, but Biln said an engineer has the discretion to blow the whistle longer if there are people or vehicles near the track.

He said the more frequent whistles in Newton can be mostly attributed to train operators alerting homeless people living near the tracks that a train is approaching.

Biln said that during the past month, the number of people camping next to the tracks has increased. Southern Railway has spent about $25,000 during that period to have a contractor, RECYCLEIT Earth Friendly Services, move the campers along and clean up their mess.

According to Transportation Safety Board data for all railways, there have been 26 trespasser fatalities in Canada this year.

“When they’re that close to the tracks, it’s very, very dangerous,” said Biln, adding that he’s also seen large items left on the tracks that have the potential to derail trains.

“Safety is the No. 1 issue we’re faced with,” he said. “I wish there was something we could do to instantly deal with the situation.”

Jas Rehal, Surrey’s manager of bylaws and licensing services, said homelessness in general is an issue in the city and he’s “well aware” of the fact that people are camping near the railway in Newton.

The time of year, the increasing number of homeless, and enforcement activity in the downtown core are contributing to the number of people living near the tracks, Rehal said.

Rehal said the city has a good relationship with Southern Railway and bylaw officers visit the campers when they are in the area to offer services, tell them the dangers of camping there and let them know that they are trespassing on private property.

“We’ve definitely noticed a problem in that area. We’re there every day,” Rehal said.

Biln said that in the past, BC Hydro (which owns the right of way), the railway and the city have met about the issue and it’s likely time for another meeting. Rehal agreed.

Biln said Surrey isn’t the only community struggling with this problem. In Abbotsford, camping near the Southern Railway tracks is “chronic” and has been happening for years. There have also been occasional issues in Chilliwack.

Biln said he sympathizes with the people camping near Surrey’s railroad tracks, and hopes the railway can work with the city to keep homeless people safe and not just move them along to the next camp. “We need to work together toward a social solution rather than heavy handed,” he said.