JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- The loud horn of a train reminds some people of their childhood. It's familiar, it's safe but to Tom Merten, it's a nuisance.
"The trains are a real problem. They come by very frequently in the middle of the night," he said.
Merten is the owner of Jenks House Bed and Breakfast in Riverside. He's helping to lead a charge for change, starting with quiet zones.
"I would pay hundreds of dollars a year. I feel it would be money well spent," Merten continued.
The idea is simple. Set up safety arms and other precautions at crossings so a horn won't have to be used.
Wayside horns are another options. They're mounted at crossings rather than on trains -- and only sound warnings to surrounding motorists not the whole neighbhood.
Some people don't understand the fuss.
"It never bothers me. Maybe for some people, but not for me," Kelly Boyer said.
Under federal railroad administration guidelines, trains must sound a two long, one short, one long horn pattern at crossings. Riverside-Avondale homeowners also demanded change back in 2006, but costs prohibited much of anything from being done.
Merten says it's in everyone's best interest to consider the quiet zones and overall quality of life.
"Those property values would go up there and more tax revenue would come into the city."
The good news is: starting in 2014, CSX will re-route some of these trains to make room for the new SunRail commuter train.
