'Silent crossings' should be considered

It is my understanding that it is the Federal Railway Administration that requires locomotive engineers to warn the world that they are approaching a grade crossing by sounding a horn. The signal is two longs and a short followed by another long while in the crossing. Each blast is supposed to be no longer than 15 seconds. If the crossing is occupied by a train on an adjacent track the signal still has to be made.

Although rigid enforcement of the regulation would prohibit not sending the signal some engineers seem to get by with shorter blasts. That an engineer might relax the timing and duration of the process he does so at his own peril.

PAUL RECHNITZER

Sagle

For the rest of the letter, see the print edition of the Bonner County Daily Bee or subscribe to our e-edition.