Des Plaines knows about freight trains

In Sunday's (April 13) edition of the Daily Herald, I cannot feel sorry, but perhaps I should empathize with the couple who live in Wayne, IL and I'd like to correct the mayor of Buffalo Grove who states that only 20 trains rumble through the suburban towns.

We have lived in our house 42 years. When we first moved in our children could play on the railroad tracks owned by the Soo Line. The trains were very short with one small engine and perhaps 50 cars, and at the most 10 trains a week. So few ran (that) weeds grew between the tracks. Then Wisconsin Central purchased them with much larger engines and more cars, with much more frequency.

And then Canadian National bought the line with sometimes four engines per train, and more cars. I have counted 300 cars per train. They run sometimes 35 trains a day, one right after each other blaring their train signal along the way and speeding through this residential area.

We never wanted to move. Our kids would walk to school, library, shopping, etc. Of course we could never get the price for the property due to the trains.

The noise from the freights shakes our house. Ear plugs and new windows haven't helped.

Oh yes, I have made phone calls and written letters to so-called responsible people. Instead, commuter trains were added. But they are not one half as loud as the freights.

When we moved into our house, we were told that all freight trains were to be sent on the so-called "Blue Line" and that these old "Soo Line" tracks were to be demolished.

To add, we have very bad air pollution from these old engines. The smell from the diesel engines makes it hard to breathe, and the smoke from the engines has left a coasting on our white house, and the lawn, trees and plants. I used to have a beautiful garden, but no longer.

Anita C. Johnson

Des Plaines