Train Horns causing disturbance

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

Crossing a railway without taking proper care is clearly unwise, most people get away with it, but some don't.
SITTING DOWN on a railway line is worse than unwise.
Strong contenders for a Darwin award.

[IndustryInsider]

I'm a bit confused by the references to the Night Time Quiet Period (NTQP) as from my recollection train horns have not been sounded at level crossings between 11pm and 7am for many years before the 2007 date quoted?  It was around 2007 when instructions just to sound the lower tone were introduced at 'Whistle' boards, rather than the higher tone as well - with the odd exception at certain crossings.  In the last few years the NTQP has been reduced to be enforced from midnight-6am.

A sobering reminder that even when passenger trains have stopped running you should never assume a train isn't going to come, no matter where you are.  And sitting down on the tracks is, as Broadgage said, worse than unwise.

[Celestial]

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/FAQs-for-Website-NTQP.pdf

In response to this, and in recognition of the intrusive nature of modern train horns, the operational rules of the railway were changed in 2007 to incorporate a quiet period during which horns are only used in emergency circumstances.  This period, originally running between the hours of 23:00 – 07:00 every day, is known as the Night Time Quiet Period (NTQP). 


So apparently it was indeed 2007.
 

[IndustryInsider]

My memory is obviously failing me. 

[Incider]

A sobering reminder that even when passenger trains have stopped running you should never assume a train isn't going to come, no matter where you are.  And sitting down on the tracks is, as Broadgage said, worse than unwise.

Indeed, ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) moves, freight, OTM, RHTT^▸ (Rail Head Treatment Train), test trains and so on, you can never assume there won’t be something coming, straight A’s but no common sense.

(ECS - empty coaching stock, OTM - On-track machines, RHTT - rail head treatment train)

[grahame]

Just as I thought this thread had run its course ... I spotted a post somewhere completely different but in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) and on a main line ... where the crossing is fitted with horns and as the train passes over a track circuit on the approach, that horn sounds.   The article was not dated 1st April either!

It struck me that an audible warning at the crossing could be much tighter in where it's heard than one on a train 800m (or so) away - the noise does not need to carry ...

Anyone else heard of this?   How feasible is it for more general application?

[stuving]

Just as I thought this thread had run its course ... I spotted a post somewhere completely different but in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) and on a main line ... where the crossing is fitted with horns and as the train passes over a track circuit on the approach, that horn sounds.   The article was not dated 1st April either!

It struck me that an audible warning at the crossing could be much tighter in where it's heard than one on a train 800m (or so) away - the noise does not need to carry ...

Anyone else heard of this?   How feasible is it for more general application?

E2S warning signs evidently believe in it (well they would, of course):

Improving Safety with Network Rail

The tragic accidents and casualties related to pedestrians and vehicles ignoring train level crossing warnings have been well documented in the UK press. Responding to this Network Rail identified that a significant percentage of all safety incidents at level crossings occur when a second train is approaching. In the past, there was no particular method to advise or alert anyone nearby that another train was coming and why the barriers were not opening immediately after the first train had passed.

E2S Warning Signals, working with engineers at Network Rail, designed and developed a solution using an alarm horn sounder from the Appello range for use on automatic level crossing sites.

Customised Voice Recording Technology from E2S

E2S were pioneers in the use of digitally stored voice recording technology. The Appello range offers unparalleled reproduction clarity and output, combining user recordable content with a choice of alarm tones and automatic synchronisation on multiple unit installations. 
Existing level crossing audible signalling devices only provided an alarm tone warning as the first train approached the crossing.  The system provided by E2S added a voice message to the alarm tone to alert anyone present at the crossing of the imminent arrival of a train.

    Alarm tone followed by “Warning, more than one train may be approaching. Warning, more than one train may be approaching”

    Listen to the warning here.


Crucially, the multi stage capability of the Appello unit allowed a second voice message and alarm tone to be activated should it be necessary to wait for a second train to pass through before it becomes safe for members of the public to use the crossing.

    Alarm tone followed by “Warning, another train is approaching. Warning, another train is approaching.”

    Listen to the warning here.

Different alarm tones and message content was trialled before arriving at the most concise and effective wording. E2S were also happy to create the voice recordings for Network Rail.

A challenging aspect of the project related to the potential impact the new audible warnings would have on residents of property near to level crossings. The distance at which the Appello unit could be heard increased dramatically at night so custom electronics were designed by E2S to enable the Appello unit to have a remotely selectable day and night time function that reduced the sound level output automatically. During installation the Network Rail engineers are able to set the day and night time volume levels that are appropriate for that site.

To provide the control interface, E2S also designed and manufacture custom voltage regulator modules that are mounted in the track side cabinet.

Network Rail believes that the notification of additional trains approaching the crossing will significantly improve overall crossing safety.

The Network Rail acceptance certificate number is PA05/04380.

[grahame]

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/FAQs-for-Website-NTQP.pdf

In response to this, and in recognition of the intrusive nature of modern train horns, the operational rules of the railway were changed in 2007 to incorporate a quiet period during which horns are only used in emergency circumstances.  This period, originally running between the hours of 23:00 – 07:00 every day, is known as the Night Time Quiet Period (NTQP). 


So apparently it was indeed 2007.
 

Link is now a "404".  Mirror document added at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/FAQs-for-Night-Time-Quiet-Period-NTQP.pdf which is probably close to the same thing.

[UstiImmigrunt]

A interesting thread to which I'd like to make a few points.

Regarding the opening comment, I realise it was made years ago.

The railway was there first, you were second. Why didn't you carry out research? I did when I first bought a home. I walked around the area late on Friday and Saturday as there was a pub nearby. From my back garden I could hear Valenta HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) leaving or Slug 5 or 6 leaving Llanwern. (37905/6)

If additional warnings are fitted at crossings why should the railway pay? Would you walk along a motorway? What's the difference?

When the single tone rule came in many drivers completely ignored it. 2 tone is a train, one tone maybe something else. Then at additional cost certain crossings between Swindon and Standish were fitted with a second whistle board, reverting back to the common sense way.

Finally the slightly amusing part, when I learnt the B+H in 2009 the Reading drivers were bitching about a gent complaining about the noise of trains. He'd just moved in and his garden was close to the blocks of the turn back siding. A few weeks later I had an assessment ride and as I passed through Bedwyn a good long high low blast on the horn. The DSM asked me why I sounded the horn to which I replied officially I thought I saw someone near the crossing. The follow up question was asked, and Unofficially? I explained about the idiot who'd moved in. You may think childish, I'd rather sound the horn and prevent an incident rather than bow down to someone who can't carry out research and expects the railway to do his bidding.


And yes in the last year or two there have been complaints about engine noise in the Bedwyn turn back siding.

[TaplowGreen]

Finally the slightly amusing part, when I learnt the B+H in 2009 the Reading drivers were bitching about a gent complaining about the noise of trains. He'd just moved in and his garden was close to the blocks of the turn back siding. A few weeks later I had an assessment ride and as I passed through Bedwyn a good long high low blast on the horn. The DSM asked me why I sounded the horn to which I replied officially I thought I saw someone near the crossing. The follow up question was asked, and Unofficially? I explained about the idiot who'd moved in. You may think childish, I'd rather sound the horn and prevent an incident rather than bow down to someone who can't carry out research and expects the railway to do his bidding.

That must have been very self affirming for you.