Wherever you travel in Elk River you are likely within range of hearing the railroad tracks. If you live within the city limits you are likely within two miles of the tracks. And, seriously, Elk River has a LOT of trains that run through every single day. If you aren't used to train noise it can be quite the consideration when you are looking at homes. 
Often times when I'm looking at homes with buyers who are unfamiliar with the area I dawdle on the front steps for awhile. It only takes a few minutes before you will hear the next whistle. I should know... I grew up in town.
I know what it's like to be so close to the tracks that everything inside rattles. The dishes especially so you have to keep them far enough apart that they don't jostle each other in the trains quake. I know what it's like to talk to my friend on the phone and have to pause the conversation for the whistle to blow... and then three minutes later pause while the whistle blows on their end of town.
For a newbie it can be quite annoying. For a veteren in a town of trains, whistles and stops it becomes old hat. I know that the 7-mile ride from home to the office might take 10 minutes or 22 minutes depending on how I hit the trains.
There were a few years that the sounds of the trains passing seemed to be a dying fade. Those were the years that shipping companies used semis instead of the rails to ship their freight. When I was growing up there were rumors of 90-110 trains passing through town everyday. I honestly never took 24-hours to count. I don't know if it's true or not. Seems true though... in ten minutes I've heard three.
But, what I DO know, is that the tracks are busier now than ever. See, we still have the normal track traffic but we've added the commuter rails and now the oil rigs in the Dakotas. If you hit the track stop (any of the many in town) at the right time you might have to wait for six trains to go through: a freight train, two commuters rails going different directions, an oil rig, sand going the opposite direction and another freight.
My kids learned very young (as I'm sure did I) that you never leave the house without a pitstop. There are no porta potties waiting for the track to clear.
So, the question is, do you have to disclose that?
Not so much. I actually heard a complaint over the weekend from a gentleman that purchased nine years ago. He was 1/4 mile off the track and was surprised how loud it was. He actually felt the seller was wrong in not taking the time to tell him how noisy it really is. It bothered him to have to halt conversation on his 3-season porch because the whistles were too loud.
Honestly, until that day I hadn't given it a thought. I've been part of the racket so long that it's become a comfort to me. As I sit hear typing I know all is well because a train is going by. It's a normal daytime noise and it rather lulls me to sleep at night. So imagine my surprise that it bothered someone.
I love Elk River and all that it has to offer. It's a great community. I would never steer a client away from our fine city... in fact, I love moving people IN, but I guess that I realized that by dawdling on the porch I was protecting my clients in my own way. Train tracks do not have to be disclosed, but is it a good idea for a buyer to know the noise level? For sure. The last thing I want is someone calling at three in the morning because they can't sleep.... after all, what puts one to sleep might wake another. It's honesty in the situation. It's education. If you are gonna live here you gotta know what it's about.
If you are thinking of buying a home in Elk River? Beautiful!!! It's a great place to live... even if the sound of the tracks never seems to end.
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