A railway crossing in Fargo

James Lileks is posting some interesting photos and facts about his old hometown, Fargo ND. Among the most recent images is this one:

Note to prospective owners: the trains still use those tracks, you know. Imagine it's 3 AM; now repeat after me.

DING DING DING DING DING DING DING WHHOAAAAAHHHH WAHOAAAAAAHHHH SCREEEEEEEEEEEE chuff chuff chuff

Now go back to sleep.

For most of us, this would be a deal-killer. For some (the small fraternity of foaming railfans), it'd be an added inducement to move in.

For a growing segment of the Nimby-American population, it'd be a reason to petition to have the railway re-routed away from their new-found urban hideaway. And, contrary to both logic and common sense, they'd probably have a chance of winning in court . . . even if the railway has been running along those tracks for a hundred years or more.