Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss, Union Pacific and Hanson Permanente officials plan to meet to work on a solution. Kniss also sent a July 25 letter to Omaha-based Union Pacific asking for action.

Kniss sent copies to nine public officials including State Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congressman Mike Honda, Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"There seems to be no end to the situation or any attempt by Union Pacific to take into consideration the effect [the night trains] has on those living near the tracks," Kniss wrote. "Clearly this is unacceptable and must be corrected immediately."

The problem started when the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority began construction on the Vasona Light Rail Project in Campbell. Because of the project, there were fewer available railroad tracks for train traffic. At the same time there was an increased freight demand due to an improving economy. As a result, Union Pacific switched its coal and raw material freight runs to Cupertino's Hanson cement plant to nighttime. Now with the Campbell project completed, Union Pacific continues to run at night.

The subsequent noise has bothered and awakened residents in both Saratoga and Cupertino.

In Saratoga, residents have registered at least 15 noise complaints with the city, particularly regarding horn blasts at crossings. Cupertino residents have also objected, especially those with homes next to the railroad tracks.

"We've had multiple complaints regarding the [railroad] noise," Jeff Trybus, Cupertino's code enforcement officer, said. "There is not much we can do, because the city does not regulate railroads." Local jurisdictions do not have much influence on railroad operations, since railroads are regulated by the federal government.

As a result, city officials have encouraged residents to contact state and federal officials.

Nadine Grant, a 25-year resident of Heney Creek Place next to the tracks, is among those who have done so. "We hope this gets things rolling," she said of the meeting. "We [residents and Hanson Permanente] both have a mutual desire to get this thing resolved."

John Giavanola, Hanson's community affairs manager, agreed.

"I can't blame the residents; it's got to be disturbing," he said on Aug. 11, a morning when he had eight phone messages from upset residents. "We'd sure like to get back to a daytime schedule."