Why Have We Been Hearing So Many Train Horns?

A dramatic increase in the amount of train horn blasts that have been heard in recent weeks - specifically in Wenham - along the MBTA tracks is because of an ongoing project to replace railroad ties.

A spokesman for Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co., which runs the commuter railroad system for the T, said the project to replace ties is part of infrastructure improvements to the commuter rail system. It is not affecting the service schedule to and from .

The work will continue until the end of July, according to Andrea Wheeler, the spokesman. The work will not extend north of Wenham and this week was occurring as far south as Salem.

“The train horns have been blowing with greater frequency for the safety of any potential workers who might be around the track,” Wheeler said. “When the work is done, the additional horns will cease.”