The sounds of trains at night have stirred a mix of nostalgia and curiosity for many residents near Dickerson Run, Pennsylvania. For one local resident, the late-night noises have become a poignant reminder of his late mother, who often wondered why engines would run throughout the night.
Roy Hess Sr., a retired teacher and businessman from Dawson, recalls his mother’s inquiries from years ago. Despite her struggles with congestive heart failure and myasthenia gravis, she maintained a lively spirit and a sharp mind. “Late at night when everything is quiet,” she would say, “I can hear something.” Hess promised her he would listen with her one evening, a promise he now wishes he had kept.
The Hess family home, built in 2011, replaced the bungalow where his mother lived for many years. Situated with a sweeping view of the Youghiogheny River, the new home offers an unobstructed auditory experience of the surrounding area, particularly the train sounds that echo through the night.
Hess has noted that during the winter months, when the trees are bare, the sounds of eastbound trains become notably louder. These trains, often pulling as many as 250 cars, create a distinct sound that can be heard for miles, particularly when conditions are right.
Though the neighborhood remains quiet otherwise, the sounds of trains have become a familiar backdrop. On many nights, the approaching engines can be heard for several minutes before they reach the borough, providing a rhythmic hum that fills the silence of the night.
A recent experience brought Hess’s mother’s question back to the forefront of his mind. While lying in bed after midnight, he listened to the familiar drone of an eastbound train. To his surprise, the sound persisted long after he expected it to fade away as the train ascended toward Connellsville. Curious, he stepped outside to locate the source of the noise.
It was then that he realized the train had stopped at a red block signal at the lower end of Dawson. This halt, he learned, could last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours, depending on train schedules and spacing requirements. The delay was not uncommon; it aimed to prevent long trains from blocking crossings in town.
As the powerful diesel engine revved up once again, Hess reflected on his mother’s earlier observations. He now believes that the late-night sounds she often heard were not figments of her imagination or the result of her tinnitus, but rather trains idling at the red block below Dawson.
In a sense, the late-night train sounds serve as a bridge connecting Hess to his mother and their shared experiences. The echoes of the trains resonate not just in the physical landscape, but also in the memories of those who have lived and loved along the tracks.
For many in the area, the rhythmic sounds of the trains are more than just noise; they are a reminder of life’s continuous journey, carrying with it the stories and memories of those who have come before.
