Mineral planning commission to study overnight railroad 'quiet zone'

The Mineral Planning Commission on Wednesday agreed to investigate whether the town can pursue a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) "quiet zone" that would reduce or eliminate routine train horn blasts from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. A commissioner said the town can apply at no cost but must show it meets FRA standards, which could require an engineering study or updates to crossings.

Why it matters: Residents who live near the tracks have complained about overnight horn noise. A quiet zone, if approved by the FRA, would limit horn use during the specified hours but requires documented protections at crossings.

During the discussion a commissioner who raised the idea said, "It is something that we could look into doing," and noted that while there is no fee to apply, the town must provide official proof that it meets the FRA's requirements and might need an engineering study. Commissioners also said some crossings must have functioning bells or gates to qualify.

Members agreed to collect publicly available information from VDOT and the FRA and to reach out to Gordonsville for an example of a local order before the next meeting. The commission did not vote on creating a quiet zone; the next step is an informational research effort and a staff/volunteer check of whether the town's crossings come close to FRA standards.

A mayoral representative described a local safety incident in another town to illustrate why crossings and signals matter, and commissioners emphasized the need to present all sides of the issue to the public before pursuing formal action.

The commission did not adopt a formal motion to apply; it directed staff and volunteers to gather information and report back at a future meeting.