Train vibrations can potentially cause cosmetic or structural damage to a house, though modern engineering usually mitigates the most severe risks. The primary concern is ground-borne vibration, which travels through the soil and into the building's foundation. Over time, constant high-intensity vibrations can lead to "settlement," resulting in cracks in drywall, plaster, or masonry. If a house is built on loose or sandy soil, the vibrations can cause the soil particles to rearrange, leading to foundation shifts. However, most modern rail projects include vibration isolation measures, such as resilient mats under the tracks. While it is rare for a train to cause a sudden structural collapse, the long-term cumulative effect (fatigue) can be significant for older, unreinforced historic homes located very close to the tracks. Residents often report "rattling" of windows and glassware, which is usually a sign of high-frequency vibration that, while annoying, is less likely to cause deep structural failure than the low-frequency thumping of heavy freight trains.