24 August 2004 Recorders Blow Hole in Whistle Complaints I was surprised by the anger a recent letter writer expressed when voicing concerns over train whistles and how they disrupt sleeping patterns of local residents. The writer claims that CPR locomotive engineers attempt to blow song tunes with train whistles. I say the writer doesn't have all the facts.   For instance, does the letter writer know that locomotives are equipped with event recorders much like the "black boxes" in jet aircraft, that record when a whistle blows, how long it was blown, and where it was blown to the nearest foot? This data is routinely downloaded and compared to complaints to authenticate validity.   Also, how does the writer know that the engineer isn't blowing the whistle to warn trespassers that frequently use the CPR right-of-way as a sidewalk? Just because the letter writer is trying to sleep doesn't mean everyone else is.   After rethinking this situation, if indeed train whistles are being abused to the extent that the writer claims; there are more proactive ways to alleviate this problem than ranting in letters to the local papers.   Contact the Pacific Regional office of Transport Canada for information on how to ban train whistles in your area. Also, record as much information as possible about the alleged abuses, including date, time, location, and the locomotive number if possible (as long as it can be obtained safely) and report it directly to Transport Canada and the CPR.   Remember to keep your cool and avoid getting into arguments with railway officials on the phone. Be polite and precise with your information regarding complaints. You can obviously write, so put your complaints in writing too. If you don't get the satisfaction you want, politely ask to speak to a superior. Sometimes you have to climb the corporate ladder until action is taken.   It's also worth noting that railways are fundamental cogs in the transportation system, injecting millions of dollars into the economies of local municipalities through employee wages and taxes. Calling for a complete ban on railways is not a viable option.   Hopefully I have provided a few tips that will help you with your struggle. If all else fails, there are always earplugs. I sleep when most are awake and that's what I use.   Melvyn E. Kinna - Burnaby