Whats the distance that new residential housing can be built from a dual lane freight rail?

Question

Whats the distance that new residential housing can be built from a dual lane freight rail?

Answer 1

Good rule of thumb; If you can see the tracks, your too close. You'll get a vibrating experience if your that close, but if you like that kind of thing? Remember, hard too sell and hard to sleep.

Answer 2

Rango is right... it would be dependent on State / Federal codes.  I know that I see new Residential construction going up RIGHT up against the right-of-way (about 50 ft.) along the frieght lines used by the Altamont Commuter Express between San Jose & Stockton.

"Sound" walls, and proper construction should mitigate a great deal of the noise... my concern would be evacuation plans and fire-response in the event of derailment of flammable or hazmat car-loads.

I lived for two years in a little house in Palo Alto California that bordered right on the old UP lines used by CalTrain... in a few weeks I'd learned to sleep thru the freights that rolled thru at 2am and 4am.

Answer 3

Codes vary from state to state, but around here (CA) you can build them right up against railroad property.

But, these are harder to rent or sell, and even harder to sleep in...