Each HST▸ has to go through and train preparation before it can enter service. I don't know FGW▸ 's procedures but a full preparation takes 55 minutes. This is thorough check of all safety systems and requires all the engines to be running. If there are 3 sets you are obviously looking at least 3 hours of engine noise.
Someone can probably advise on the status of the shore supply equipment at Worcester to confirm wether they are serviceable or not. However, this equipment is more than likely supplied and maintained by Network Rail.
Even when a set is plugged into the shore supply some components of the HST will make noises.
However, if they are not serviceable one engine will have to be left running.
Again, I don't know about crewing arrangements but there is the possibility that the driver and guard may sleep on the train overnight and as such the engine is left running to provide power (and heat in the winter)
Engines in the power cars of FGW HSTs are, and I might be wrong, leased. Basically FGW pay for every hour the engine is running. I doubt very much wether they would allow them to be running all night without good reason.
Where abouts is your property in relation to the train engines? What I'm getting at is the HST has an engine at each end. Lets call them A & B engines. If they currently leave A engine running and switch off B would it make any difference to you if they reversed that?
Driver, Many thanks for your informative response and thanks to trainer, johare, grahame also.
First, I wasn't aware of the previous discussion so thanks grahame for the link. I had walked over to the station in my slippers a couple of years ago and had a lovely chat with a very sympathetic "station manager" although I don't think they're called that any more. He said that the trains parked (sidled?) further up the line until residents complained and it looks like they used to park down the line upsetting others. Now they park directly behind Shrub Hill which seeming only affects 2 flats (2 people) and we are literally 50 metres away at the end of the converted goods yard (?) which is listed. So my natural skepticism led me to think that no-one will do anything about 1 person in rented accommodation complaining about a bit of noise. That's why I felt there is a broader issue here anyway, the environmental one but clearly they are not interested in that either.
Yes, "driver" it would make a difference if the noise was coming from the back end of the nearest train and the front end of the 2 further trains - thanks again for your explanation - quite a bit I should imagine.
The drivers don't sleep on the trains. When I've noticed the cleaners take about 40 minutes to do the nearest train, into which I can see quite easily and it's been around midnight.
I must quote the following from Mark Webber, Customer Relations Senior Officer (obviously got bored with the sedentary pace of trains)...
"...
major initiative focusing on how to reduce fuel consumption particularly through aspects such as engine idling at stations and in sidings, I have logged your problem you have been having and have forwarded your comments on to our Environment Manager for her to take the appropriate action" which was obviously to do nothing. Well that formed part of a letter to me dated 9th September 2011.
They seem to think it's a problem that
I have only - I think it's a problem they and the paying public have got too.
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