Taming the Train Whistle in Hannibal

The days of train whistles echoing throughout downtown Hannibal could be numbered. The Hannibal City Council will hear a proposal Tuesday evening to explore creation of a railroad “Quiet Zone” in the downtown area.

In a memo to the council, Second Ward Councilman Mike Dobson says as downtown development has increased, more requests are coming in to quiet the loud train whistles. Dobson says more businesses are turning their upstairs into living quarters.  He also says construction is in process on a new bed and breakfast in the downtown.

The council will consider a resolution to spend $7500 in engineering fees to determine the feasibility of establishing a quiet zone. Dobson says the engineering estimate is needed to determine the cost of meeting numerous safety requirements in the absence of a train whistle.