I don't think there is any doubt that the railroad means a lot to the economy of the town and area.
However, in this instance I think the real issue is this! What gives these folks a right to say anything about the smoke when they just moved there, and it was there long before they were? It is the property owners who are the stupid ones here in my book. And why are they building so close to the railroad downtown, things like condos and such. Won't there be smoke around them as well once they are built and sold for $200K to some lunies!!! Just because a guy makes a mistake and doesn't do his home work before he buys the property doesn't mean he should be allowed to change things that were there before he was!!! I think the railroad was there aboout 1881 was it not? The railroad in my mind has gone way beyond the call of duty in trying to be good citizens of the community with its appeasements, and frankly I don't think they should HAVE TO DO ANYTHING!!!
If a guy moves a mile from the airport, then complains about the noise, well tough tuna, you should know that airplanes make a lot of noise before you buy near an airport.
I was once shooting some train video on a branch of the Norfolk Southern. I was set up at a crossing, and some lady stopped in here car and asked "Do they still run trains on this track? We just bought that house over there in this development and our kids play around here" I stated that they ran one train each direction several days a week as needed, and she about had a cow! Well since then the line has been abandoned, but people really don't have a clue do they??
Greg
