[Muncle]

The following is from today's Orlando Slantenal. Though it focuses on Lakeland, the overall changes proposed will definitely have local impact.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,6668854.story

Note this excerpt.

"According to documents Dockery obtained through public-records requests, the revamped S-line could handle as many as 54 trains a day, up from a current maximum of 35. In other words, Dockery says, state dollars would create a "super highway" for freight trains that would run through her hometown."


Guess where the S-line is.





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[Bogie Shooter]

Where is it???

[Ooper]

The S-line is the route from Ocala thru Belleview to Wildwood that run along side the Western edge of The Villages.

[Muncle]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Where is it???

Well, if you go from TV to US301, you'll cross the tracks. It runs kinda down I-75.





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[graciegirl]

Isn't that near Chatham?

[Ooper]

This link will show you the route...

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcsi....4&Profile=1039

[Barefoot]

The Villages Developers seem to have a lot of political clout in Florida. Perhaps they'll get involved to ensure any Village impact is minimal.

[Russ_Boston]

From the viewpoint of a person who wants to buy within the next two years:

From what I have read on this forum it appears that the issue of whether the train noise will increase or decrease is an unknown at this point. Without TOTV I would not have known about this issue. I have made my mind up that I will look basically east of Buena Vista for our home. I think it only makes sense given the unknowns.

I know some of you will say "that leaves out all sorts of good neighborhoods" and you would be correct. But I don't think I could look at myself in the mirror 5 years from now and say "why didn't you stick to your guns?" as the train noise gets worse. Many things affect the value of a property and this (the train situation) is just one thing to keep in mind.

My 2 cents.
Russ

[clyd709]

I have my niece visiting me who has been deaf since birth. She was sitting by me when I was reading this topix. She just smiled and wrote on a little note to me "OH HOW I WISH I COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF THOSE TRAINS'

[graciegirl]

There was an article several days ago in the Daily Sun about the trains being rerouted when the Sun Line goes into operation. The S line would have at least double the number of freight trains that they do now if I remember correctly.

[Russ_Boston]

I think that's what Muncle was referring to in the first post.

[graciegirl]

Muncle was talking about the Orlando Sentinel which I don't receive. It was also in the Daily Sun, which some people say only print favorable news to TV. Obviously this is not good news for the west side of town.

[Russ_Boston]

Different paper, same story I assumed.

[Sidney Lanier]

Russ, I understand your concern and the need to exercise reasonable caution about ANY issue when making what is likely the largest investment in our lives: buying a home. HOWEVER, I would like to mention again--and in full agreement with Barefoot who is our neighbor in Belvedere who has also posted about this question--that we can hear the sound of the train, but it is a faint, distant, pleasant sound that to us adds to the charm of living here. Belvedere is the westernmost village south of CR-466; there are MANY villages (including Belvedere) west of Buena Vista Blvd. that, IMHO, are certainly worthy of consideration. In other words, for us train noise is a non-issue. When you and the missus are here, please let us know, come and visit, and hear for yourself. And good luck!

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

From the viewpoint of a person who wants to buy within the next two years:

From what I have read on this forum it appears that the issue of whether the train noise will increase or decrease is an unknown at this point. Without TOTV I would not have known about this issue. I have made my mind up that I will look basically east of Buena Vista for our home. I think it only makes sense given the unknowns.

I know some of you will say "that leaves out all sorts of good neighborhoods" and you would be correct. But I don't think I could look at myself in the mirror 5 years from now and say "why didn't you stick to your guns?" as the train noise gets worse. Many things affect the value of a property and this (the train situation) is just one thing to keep in mind.

My 2 cents.
Russ

[Russ_Boston]

Thanks SL - I guess I was too literal when I said west of BV. As you said the main thing is to find a home and then gauge it for ourselves. The train noise or lack there of is just one issue to consider along with power line locations, sewerage smell, busy streets, view lots, fence or no fence etc etc etc.

Sounds complicated but you know what happens - You find a home and you just know!