UPDATE: We know that our neighbors in River Forest are also dealing with an uptick in idling. This petition is calling for an end to idling in both residential areas (and any others that might pop up in the future). We also are calling on our municipal governments to work together to pressure Union Pacific to stop. If we don't work in solidarity, we will simply be playing "hot potato" with this nuisance. 

The residents of North Forest Park are suffering. The neighborhood sits along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Living with passing trains is part of daily life, one residents accept without complaint.

However, the Union Pacific has designated a stretch of tracks as a standby location for westbound trains. A sign sits on the tracks that reads “Westbound Standby Area Stop Here.” This is where locomotives park as crews from other railroads — like Norfolk Southern — get off the trains and Union Pacific employees get on.

For residents, this means that locomotive engines idle about 150 from their homes for hours on end every day. The trains arrive at all hours of the day and night. Typically, multiple trains pull up each day. Many days include at least eight hours of idling time. Most trains have more than one engine, and residents often see trains with up to five locomotives.

Because trains need their engines running to keep their brakes operational, crews cannot turn the engines off. For residents, this means unbearable levels of noise, fumes and vibrations in their neighborhood. The situation is the very definition of a nuisance — conditions created by a property owner that prevent a neighboring owner from using their property for its intended purpose. Specifically, residents along cannot live in peace in their own homes because of the Union Pacific’s idling activity.

The Union Pacific is aware that their behavior is harming residents. However, they claim they are in compliance with all federal regulations governing Class 1 railroads. They have refused to make any changes to their operating practices. At the same time, Union Pacific officials insist the railroad is a “good corporate neighbor.”

But those of us who live here know that just because something is legal doesn’t make it right. We are human beings and we have the right to go about our lives free of excessive noise, vibrations and fumes. We are calling on the Union Pacific to move its crew change location to a non-residential area. We also ask our neighbors to help us pressure the railroad to do the humane thing.