Will Light Rail Bring Train Whistles Back to Minnetonka?

Minnetonka residents don’t have many problems with train whistles because the community has become what Councilman Brad Wiersum called a “whistle-less town.” But at a Monday City Council work session, Wiersum wondered whether that would change once Southwest Light Rail comes in.

Current plans have trains crossing “at grade”—that is, without a bridge or tunnel—at several points across the city. But light rail standards are different than freight rail standards, said Community Development Director Julie Wischnack. It’s not yet known where and to what extent light rail trains will have to blow their whistles or ring their bells.

• Watch the YouTube video above to see a Hiawatha train crossing Second Avenue North on Fifth Street North.
  

With a few years still to go before the planned line is operational, the city is already looking into the issue. Wischnack said staff are pushing for specific answers to their question on light rail train crossing requirements.

That was good news for Wiersum: “(A whistle) is nice when you’re waiting for it. It may not be as nice when you’re next door to it. The frequency is significant."