In accordance with railway operating rules, trains are required to sound the engine whistle a quarter of a mile before all public crossings.

It is recognized that as urban and residential areas have grown, residences are now located in closer proximity to railway lines, and the sound of the railway whistle is increasingly being considered as an annoyance.

It must also be recognized, however, that the railway whistle serves an important role, providing a warning to users of a highway/rail crossings that a train is approaching. In addition, the sound provides a similar warning to persons trespassing on railway land or using private crossings in the vicinity of the crossing.

In Canada, operating rules allow the whistle requirement to be eliminated at certain crossings as prescribed by "special instruction." Amendments to the Railway Safety Act, effective June 1, 1999, result in the ability to eliminate whistling at certain crossings being addressed directly in the Act. In all cases, however, the cessation of whistling is dependent on a very specific set of circumstances and on regulations to be developed by Transport Canada.

Whistling will not be eliminated at crossings unless proper protection is in place (dependent on train speed and operation and the number of tracks). In addition, whistling will not be eliminated where there is a nearby trespassing problem for which the whistling may provide an element of increased safety. Similarly, if operation over nearby private crossings is made safer through the sound of the whistle, the requirement to whistle will not be eliminated.

Canadian Municipalities wishing to have whistling eliminated at specific crossings should investigate these conditions before approaching the railway. If this initial investigation indicates that there are no mitigating circumstances that require whistling to be retained, municipalities should then contact the railway.