How close to the tracks?

[NW Mailing List]

When deciding how close to put those houses to tracks... I guess I have been too
conservative?
 
I'm wondering if this photo is a mainline or a branch? Either way I'm sure
Momma's dishes were rocked whenever the train came through. http://exm.nr/ecHrYq
 
I'm wondering if there was a standard for clearance to housing, or if it was
just "exempted" when there wasn't enough real-estate? I know the tracks are
close to the houses in Keystone, WV on the Pocahontas still.
 
Here's my new article "How close to the tracks?" featuring another great
National Archives shot. -  http://exm.nr/ecHrYq
 
Gene Bowker