Lake Oswego's Train Horns: A Nostalgic Soundtrack and Safety Measure
In Lake Oswego, Oregon, the sound of train horns is a familiar part of the town's auditory landscape. The horns, which follow a specific pattern representing the letter Q in Morse code, are used at the town's nine public railroad crossings and one pedestrian crossing. These sounds are not just nostalgic but serve as a safety measure, alerting residents to the presence of trains. The Union Pacific Railroad engines that cross Lake Oswego are equipped with Nathan Airchime air horns, a transition from the high-pitched steam whistles of the past. Despite a petition in 2020 to establish Rail Road Quiet Zones, the necessary safety infrastructure upgrades and coordination with rail authorities have made this unfeasible. 
