It has been a battle.

That is the best way to describe Norwood’s saga with CSX to respect residents’ concerns about the noise the freight train creates by blowing its whistle when traveling through the community.

CSX representatives told lawmakers that their request for a quiet zone is not possible citing that their engineers don’t believe the new technology actually works.

That answer was unacceptable to officials, who demanded a written explanation, not a verbal one, saying that is not "professional and is arrogant."

"All they have said is that their engineers are not familiar with the technology," said Councilman Brizzolara. "They haven’t even given us anything in writing.

"They called me back in February telling me that their engineers didn’t like the horns and didn’t give any specific reasons."

Officials plan to send a letter to their congressman and anyone else in the federal government that oversees CSX. The goal is to apply pressure to the rail line and get them to respect the residents’ wishes.

"I just don’t think they want to live up to the new regulations set for by the federal government regarding train whistles," Brizzolara said.

Norwood lawmakers have been talking with CSX for about two years trying to get quiet zones established in the community.

In June 2007 lawmakers listened to a presentation from Railroad Controls, Limited of Benbrook, Texas. That company, who would have provided the engineering and ultimate installation, believed it was possible to install the much sought after wayside horns.

The horns, according to the company, are much quieter, heard only by residents within one acre of its spot. As opposed to a train whistle, which can be heard in a radius of 31 acres.

Said Brizzolara: "We are owed a response in writing as to why they can’t or won’t do it."

CSX representatives did not return phone calls for comment.

E-mail lang@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6710