The sounds of trains rumbling through the night have prompted a reflection on family memories for Roy Hess Sr., a retired teacher and businessman from Dawson, Pennsylvania. As he reminisces about his late mother’s experiences in their former home, he uncovers the mystery behind the late-night noises that once intrigued her.
Hess recalls how his mother, who lived in a bungalow ranch built by his father starting in 1956, often questioned the source of the persistent sounds from the nearby Dickerson Run yard. Despite facing health challenges, including congestive heart failure and myasthenia gravis, she maintained a clear mind and a curious spirit. “Late at night when everything is quiet,” she would say, “I can hear something.”
While Hess initially dismissed her concerns as a result of her tinnitus, he later promised to listen to the sounds with her. Unfortunately, he never fulfilled that promise. Now, living in a newer home with a view of the Youghiogheny River, he has a clearer perspective on the situation.
Train noises in the area are particularly noticeable during winter, when trees are bare, amplifying the sound of approaching locomotives. Hess notes that eastbound trains, which can reach lengths of up to 250 cars, produce a distinct sound as they ascend a grade. The quietness of the neighborhood, combined with the train noise, creates an unusual auditory experience, particularly late at night.
Recently, Hess experienced a moment of clarity regarding the sounds his mother often heard. One night, he lay in bed after midnight listening to an eastbound train as it approached the town. The sound, normally fleeting, persisted longer than expected. This led him to investigate further, realizing the train had stopped at a red block near Dawson, waiting for clearance to proceed.
The extended duration of the engine’s sound, he concluded, was due to the train idling at a controlled stop. “I now believe that’s what my mother heard—diesels idling at the red block,” Hess said. This practice helps prevent long trains from blocking crossings in town, a delay that can last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours, aimed at maintaining safe distances between trains on the same track.
Hess’s reflection highlights how the seemingly mundane aspects of everyday life can stir memories and emotions. The late-night train sounds that once puzzled his mother now connect him to her legacy, transforming a simple noise into a poignant reminder of family ties and shared experiences.
As Hess continues to listen to the trains, he carries with him the understanding that these sounds are not just a product of nostalgia but rather a part of the community’s rhythm, echoing the stories of those who have come before him.
