Given increasing complaints, are train horns in Biddeford louder and more frequent?
By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer
People living near railroad tracks in Biddeford are making noise about freight train horns that sound at all hours of the night. Rail officials say they are required by law — and in some cases for public safety.
The railroad through Biddeford dates to around 1842, nearly 20 years before the Civil War.
When the tracks were built, they were mostly surrounded by trees and open areas. As the train approached town, it passed mills and downtown businesses.
The building that now houses Champions Sports Bar once served as the Boston and Maine Railroad’s freight station. A small yard sat alongside the main tracks for switching and storing freight cars headed to the mill complex.
The former Boston & Maine freight station is today the location of Champion’s Sports bar.
But why do the horns seem louder now?
City officials in July 2024 removed a homeless encampment from Mechanics Park. The hope was that displaced residents would move to shelters or other resources. However, many relocated instead to James Street along the tracks.
In July, a CSX train struck and killed a trespasser between James and Main streets.
Officials from CSX and Amtrak — CSX owns the tracks and Amtrak leases the right to use them — say train crews are trained under Federal Railroad Administration regulations. Those rules (49 CFR Parts 222 and 229) require the use of horns or bells near crossings and whenever there are obstructions or people close to the right of way.
“One engineer described the area as ‘like dodging raindrops.’” Engineers say distractions such as headphones pose dangers, leaving horns as their only warning tool.
Another factor: a phenomenon known as temperature inversion.
On clear, calm nights, sound waves can bend downward, making horns seem louder. With fewer competing noises at night — traffic, sirens, kids playing — the horns stand out even more. And with most leaves off trees during fall and winter, fewer barriers exist to absorb sound.
Are we hearing train horns more than before? Probably.
Are train crews sounding them simply to keep residents awake? Probably not.
These tracks existed long before most nearby homes and businesses. Anyone moving into the area should expect an active railroad.
In a sense, the public has built around the railroad, so it makes little sense to blame crews for loud horns and weather conditions that amplify them.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a longtime railroad employee put it this way:
“People assume train crews are cold and emotionless machine operators. They don’t know what it’s like to sit in that seat, knowing you are about to hit someone and can’t do anything but blow your horn.
“I can hit the brakes, but the train isn’t stopping for half a mile or more. So yeah — if I’m going through an area where I know there are homeless people camping along the tracks, I’m blowing that horn. A lot.”
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Jim Krause is a freelance writer living in Biddeford. He can be contacted at jiggyjim@live.com
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David Kurtz, 38, is running unopposed for the Ward 5 seat on the Biddeford City Council.
Kurtz — an attorney specializing in corporate law and debt restructuring — grew up in the city and serves on the city’s Waste Management Committee. He said his legal background gives him tools to serve both residents and businesses in the ward, which stretches from the Saco River to the Five Points intersection and includes Main Street’s business district and the mills complex.
David Kurtz will be the only candidate on the ballot to represent Ward 5 (downtown) on the city council
Top issues:
Kurtz said affordability is the city’s most pressing challenge.
“Affordability, and not just housing — though that is a big issue these days — but also affordability in daily living,” he said.
Kurtz pointed to rising rents and landlords who leave properties vacant rather than offering them at lower rates, a trend he argued both worsens the housing crisis and reduces tax revenue.
“If we can’t attract people into homes and apartments, and we can’t encourage more affordable building, then the system itself could become unsustainable,” he said. “If we lose the people because of housing that isn’t affordable, then we lose the customer base at the businesses, which, in turn, drops the tax revenue from the businesses as well.”
Kurtz also emphasized public safety as another top issue, recalling Biddeford’s reputation decades ago as a city with high crime and struggling neighborhoods.
“We aren’t that Biddeford anymore, but we need to continue to grow with the city in terms of safety infrastructure and within the communities,” he said.
Kurtz praised Police Chief Fisk and the department’s reputation in the region, pointing to improvements in community policing and public confidence
“It isn’t always about housing and community projects,” he said. “We need to invest in the safety surrounding it all, and that safety is more than just policing.”
Kurtz also said the city’s unhoused population remains a challenge that extends beyond local government.
“This is more than just a city issue,” he said. “The cities rely on the state, and the state relies on the country. It isn’t as simple as just putting up a building for people to go to. You have to have resources, and those resources take funds.”
Kurtz also expressed concerns about the stability of federal funding for communities.
Why is he running for office?
Kurtz said his decision to run stems from frustration with communication at City Hall.
“I couldn’t get answers to a lot of my questions,” he said. “I’m not alone. My neighbors are always asking me about this issue or that because they’ve sent emails and haven’t gotten responses.”
Kurtz said one of his campaign goals is to create a single webpage tracking all of the city’s ongoing projects.
“I really just want to be involved, and I want to be able to communicate what is going on in the city better for everyone,” he said.
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Jim Krause is a freelance writer living in Biddeford. He can be contacted at jiggyjim@live.com
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The clang of helmets, flashing lights of fire engines and the hum of excited families filled Biddeford’s Central Fire Station on Saturday as the city’s firefighters welcomed the public for their first open house in seven years.
The department, founded in 1855, rolled out trucks, gear and demonstrations to give residents a rare behind-the-scenes look at life on the front lines of fire and rescue.
“We felt it was time to do it again,” Fire Chief Lawrence Best said. “The reception has been wonderful, and we hope to keep this tradition alive year after year.”
For many, the day was as much about discovery as it was about safety. Children climbed into fire engines, tugged at oversized helmets and tried on miniature coats that hung nearly to the ground. Parents peppered firefighters with questions about equipment, training and what it takes to respond to thousands of calls each year.
The youngest visitors experienced what it’s like to escape a smoky room, crawling on hands and knees through the Fire Safety Smoke House. Others took turns climbing down a second-story window ladder, guided carefully by firefighters waiting below.
“It’s important that kids see these tools in action and know what to do in an emergency,” Best said.
Trying on firefighter gear are Camden (7) and Lincoln (2). (Krause photo)
The event featured far more than fire engines and gear. Demonstrations ranged from CPR to fire extinguisher practice, while a “build-your-own” first aid kit station gave families the chance to prepare for emergencies at home.
The day also had lighter moments. Home Depot set up a safety- themed workshop for kids, while balloons and face painting brightened the station floor. Bike helmet fittings encouraged young riders to protect themselves long before a firetruck needs to roll.
Representatives from the Maine Warden Service, York County Emergency Management Agency and the Biddeford Police Department joined in, highlighting the network of agencies that work together when disaster strikes.
This year’s educational theme tied into National Fire Prevention Week, focusing on the hazards of lithium-ion batteries.
“These batteries are everywhere now — in phones, scooters, tools —and if they’re mishandled, they can be dangerous,” Best said. He urged residents to learn safe charging practices, store batteries properly and dispose of them responsibly, adding that anyone uncertain can call the department for guidance.
Firefighters demonstrate rescue techniques and fire extinguisher use.
An increasingly busy department
Behind the community celebration lies the constant reality of an increasingly busy department.
Biddeford firefighters have already answered more than 4,200 calls this year — about 180 more than during the same period last year. The department employs 48 full-time firefighters, 12 on-call staff, four line officers and an administrative assistant. They cover 33 square miles and more than 13 miles of coastline, responding not only to fires but also to rescues, medical emergencies and hazardous materials calls.
Keeping up with the demand is expensive. Outfitting a single firefighter costs about $15,000, and gear must be replaced every 10 years. A new engine runs about $1.1 million, while a tower truck nears $2.5 million. Even ambulances now approach $500,000. Currently a new ambulance and a new engine are on order, but supply chain delays mean it will be about two years before they arrive.
Despite the challenges, the department continues to look outward, offering monthly CPR courses and occasional first aid training to the public.
Nathan Press and his son participate in a CPR demonstration.
Inside the Alfred Street station, a museum preserves the history of firefighting in Biddeford. Tours are available by appointment for anyone curious about the city’s past.
For families at Saturday’s open house, though, the day was about something simpler: connection. Children tried on gear, neighbors mingled with firefighters, and parents lingered over vehicle rescue demonstrations that showed the precision behind every response.
“This is what we’re here for — to protect, to teach, and to be part of the community,” Best said.
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Jim Krause is a freelance writer and Biddeford resident.
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Truc Dever – Biddeford’s new city manager – took over the helm at City Hall just a few weeks ago. She sat down with us for a one-on-one interview and happily answered a wide range of questions about her background, hobbies and management style.
Before taking on her new job in Biddeford, Dever served as the public works director in Kirkland, Washinton, a Seattle suburb.
We hear that you are a self-proclaimed Connect Four champion.
(Laughs) Yes! I love social time with good friends and backyard parties; and sometimes you bring out the board games.”
Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever
My mother was a schoolteacher, and I remember one of her first-grade kids with a similar name and it made me curious, are you familiar with any of the origins or meanings of your name at all?
“So Truc is short for Truc Mai, and Truc is a type of bamboo while Mai is a type of flower [apricot blossom] which normally appears around the Lunar New Year. Bamboo symbolizes strength while Mai adds a little more of a delicate touch to it. Though I have also gone by a few nicknames like 4×4, Mack truck and all sorts of things.”
You made the move here with your husband and your dogs. Are they acclimating to the East Coast?
“I think so. My husband and I moved here with our two French Bulldogs. And I can say that we adopted them before they became known as America’s favorite breed, long before Lady Gaga’s dogs were dognapped at gunpoint, before they got really popular so I can say I fell in love with the breed before it became super popular. They’re old boys, but they still think they are puppies (Laughs).
Hobbies or vices?
“I am an outdoors person, I love paddling on the water, kayaking, I’m a huge hiker. My husband and I did a lot of backpacking as well, off-roading with the Jeep, just all the outdoors stuff. We do also like the arts and music. I would say we are pretty well rounded in our interests.
If New England is playing the Seahawks in the Superbowl, which jersey are you wearing?
“Seahawks! (pounds on her desk) I know it’s not gonna fly here, I met with all of the firefighters, I get it, but Seahawks all the way!”
What is it about Biddeford that brought you here?
“My husband and I have been very fortunate. We have travelled all over the country as well as around the world. When we came out here to Maine years ago, we just fell in love with it. We both love the outdoors, the history, the people and the nature in Maine so when we decided some years ago to buy a place to vacation, we chose a camp in central Maine.
“We knew that we wanted to retire out here and with my husband working remotely when this job opportunity came up, we decided to jump at it. We have our camp up north, but we also just purchased a home here in Biddeford, we are invested in this community.
Your work experience includes job in the media. Was that your original plan in life or was it a basis for what you were eventually aiming for?
“When you’re in your youth, and you are pursuing the job options out there, you sometimes find opportunities that come along and change your path. I worked as a news reporter, a news producer, a news editor on an assignment desk and had the good fortune to work with some really amazing and talented people covering some hard-hitting news.
“I worked in San Diego and Los Angeles, and it gave me some exceptional experience on the communications side of things. At some point, I realized how different and challenging the lifestyle is. You work long hours, holidays and weekends and it’s a tough schedule.
“At some point, I decided to make the pivot to the public sector. I started off working as a public information officer, then moved to director of communications for a large public agency.
“I realized I enjoyed working for the community, working for a bigger cause and so I pursued my master’s degree in Public Administration and work in executive management.”
Kirkland’s population is about four times larger than Biddeford. Kirkland’s budget is about $1.1 billion biennial compared to Biddeford’s roughly $100 million (municipal and school). The two cities are quite different, with Kirkland being considerably more modern and populated. What is it about Biddeford that brought you here?
“You know, I wouldn’t say it was so different. I think the principles and values of those that live and work in Biddeford are not so dissimilar from Kirkland. We are experiencing the same challenges here.
“Kirkland was a smaller community with waterfronts and open areas that just exploded in growth. It became more attractive to industry and tech sector companies. With that comes people, and the need for housing. The city staff were trying to deal with the growth with limited resources and trying to look at infrastructure and the challenges that come along with it.
“Here in Biddeford. we are faced with the same things, a growing city with limited resources and expanding issues requiring study and action. In the end, I feel that there is a lot I can bring to Biddeford with my experience dealing with the growth, the unhoused community, and with the infrastructure.”
When your predecessor left the office, many residents felt as if the city went backwards from where it started under his management. There are still many questions about his 10-year tenure, and those questions are probably going to linger for a while.
What do you feel you bring to the office that will assure Biddeford residents that the city is back on an even keel?
When I interviewed for the position and I spoke to council, obviously I didn’t know all the history, I just knew what I could bring to the table. I feel that council chose me for this position because of what I bring to the table.
“I operate with transparency, honesty, integrity, compassion; these are principles that I live by. This is what the city needs and what the staff need. I learned a long time ago from my mentors that what I should lead by is to make sure that I am serving this community and do what is in the best interest of this community, the people I serve, and the people I work with.
“It’s not about individual needs or individual power or authority or whatever else. As a public servant, I am here to do what is in the best interest of this community and here to serve the council that is elected by the community members.
“Today we are trying to move past what has happened and we don’t want to make the same mistakes. We are looking at recruitment and retention, figuring out why do people stay, why do they want to come work here.
“I operate with transparency, honesty, integrity, and compassion; these are principles that I live by”
— Truc Dever
Biddeford is facing several controversial issues, and public confidence is low. We are seeing high employee turnover, overdue audits and questions regarding several development projects.
“My job right now is to figure out the lay of the land. We have a governing body in council. They have deliberated, made decisions and made policy. My job is to carry out and operationalize those policy decisions.
“If there are things that are within my purview in terms of contracts, these are the things that I am very quickly trying to come up to speed on. My job isn’t to push back on our governing body, I’m here to support them. The comprehensive plan has just been posted on the city’s website, and I would encourage everybody to look at it.
There are also two very important bonds that will be on the ballot in November. First is the combined sewer overflow project and second is the recreation bond. These are important issues and it is important for the community to make their decisions on them. It’s our job as government to “information share” and get the word out there.”
Homelessness is a growing problem throughout the country, and in Biddeford we see it on almost every major street and in every public space. Is Biddeford dropping the ball somewhere, and are we losing both residential and commercial opportunities because of it?
“What I am learning as I am delving deep into this with staff is there is a lot of effort happening, and most residents aren’t going to see all the internal workings of it.
“We have a very active General Assistance program, and we have two coordinators out of the police department that work with people with substance abuse and with people with behavioral health issues. There is a program we are working on internally that we will be rolling out in the coming months to assist from an interdepartmental and interagency approach.
“We need to look at solutions instead of pushing people across the river or across the train tracks. It’s going to be an effort that requires intense cooperation and to solve the problem we have to put resources behind it. And yes, that might mean some property tax dollars would have to go towards it. We look at every grant possible out there, partnerships with non-profits and churches, and whatever we can do.”
Winter is coming, which will bring the dreaded parking bans in Biddeford. What can the city and residents do to make it easier and less stressful overall?
“When the community was developed for the mills, it wasn’t a “master plan community” and that leaves us with very narrow roads, especially in the downtown area. We need these bans during snow events for the safety of our public works staff.
“This is an old city and parking is an issue. There isn’t even enough parking here at City Hall for our own staff. There just isn’t enough parking in general in the area and it’s something that we have to tackle.
“I believe in solutions over problems, so bring some ideas. What can we do to make the garage more accessible during inclement weather? I don’t have the answer now, but we have to come up with solutions.”
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Jim Krause is a freelance writer and Biddeford resident.
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 