<p>ive lived on the opposite side of the tracks in college park for a year. living on blackthorn, our backyard fence bordered the storm drain. let me just say that if you're not used to it, the trains are LOUD. the 10 or so commuter trains that go buy during the day are not an issue, but a couple freight trains per day (some at 3 or 4am in the morning) actually shake the houses. the first few nights i lived in that house, my roommates and i all woke up thinking we were having an earthquake. also, since the tracks cross harvard, the trains usually blare their horns to warn the cars. </p>
<p>eventually i got used to the trains and the house we were renting had double pane windows, so that helped (only a little!). i wouldnt buy within a few blocks of those tracks. if you do consider it, you really need to experience how loud the freight trains are when they pass by. </p>