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Today, BNSF Railway Co. began sounding train horns in St. Louis, Bakersfield, Calif., and Yakima, Wash., to comply with the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) new train horn rule.

The rule requires trains to sound their horns when approaching and moving through public crossings unless a community establishes a quiet zone by meeting certain safety requirements.

In addition, a community with a pre-existing whistle ban or quiet zone can qualify for “grandfather” status to keep the ban or zone in place. To do so, a public authority had to file forms with the FRA, railroad and other affected parties by June 3. BNSF did not receive a notice of continuation from the three cities.

The communities still can file a notice with the FRA and BNSF to re-establish a quiet zone 21 days after the notice’s mailing date.