Train 'Audible Warning Devices'

[whole diary]

[Cynthia]

Well, I don't know what the rssb is, but I am amazed to find so much stuff written about the sounding of train horns (as it seems that's what they're called these days, rather than whistles).

It's a nice idea that a lower-tone horn be used nocturnally, to reduce the disturbance to trackside properties.  However, isn't it the case that if you buy a property near a railway, you will inevitably get some train noises?!  Reminds me a bit about the complaints some village incomers make about bells, when they buy a property next door to a church.  Not to mention all those animals making...... um, rustic sort of noises.

I lived just south of Weston-super-Mare about 14 years ago, where the railway ran fairly close to the rear of the property.  The sound of the train on the tracks I felt was more intrusive than the sounding of the horn, although once indoors, thanks to the blessing of double glazing the noise was hardly noticeable.  As I find here in Melksham.

[bobm]

I used to live near Twyford Station.  It was in the early 1980s when there was frequent industrial action on Sundays over "flexible rostering".  In truth you used to notice when there weren't trains rather than when there were.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Well, I don't know what the rssb is ...

It's the Rail Safety and Standards Board, Cynthia: we have a list of acronyms and abbreviations in a list which is available via a link in the heading panel of this forum. 

[Cynthia]

It's the Rail Safety and Standards Board, Cynthia: we have a list of acronyms and abbreviations in a list which is available via a link in the heading panel of this forum. 

Thanks Chris, as soon as I'd hit 'post' I remembered there was a place I could have checked on this.  However, I'm glad you told me; saves me having to look it up! 




Edit note: Quote marks fixed, for clarity. CfN. 

[grahame]

From my mailbox yesterday:

We have recently done the circular walk from Dunch lane Melksham which involves crossing the railway line to access the fields, there used to be a sign for the train driver to sound the whistle / horn but there is nothing there any more since work was done on the track in that area. Obviously we were very careful whilst crossing but think the signs need replacing asap.

There are two public crossings about a km apart, and returning home on the 18:52 from Swindon, the (low tone) horn was only sounded once on this stretch.  Good reason behind the change, something to report via the Network Rail web site form, or a call to their 24 hour emergency line (latter feels like overkill, but website clear says "call if any issues with level crossing equipment"?

Inputs welcome - I don't want to waste NR^» (Network Rail - home page) time if there's a logical answer.

[Chris from Nailsea]

In view of Network Rail's clear concerns over all aspects of level crossing safety, and foot crossings in particular, I'd be inclined to report the matter to them on their website: they can then decide what (if any) action they should take.

I agree that it's not an issue with 'level crossing equipment', so it probably doesn't justify using their emergency telephone helpline.

[JayMac]

Both Network Rail and the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB^▸ (Rail Safety and Standards Board)) have, despite their concerns of level crossing safety, looked at ways to reduce use of train horns. I believe many whistle boards have been removed.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/1030.aspx
http://www.rssb.co.uk/standards-and-the-rail-industry/train-horn-noise

A quite staggering amount of further reading at that second link. The issue has certainly been thoroughly looked into.

[TonyK]

I live around a mile from St Philips depot. Most of the time, I hear nothing from there, but if there is just a slight wind from a certain direction, and if I am awake in the wee small hours, I will hear an occasional very truncated parp of a horn,an almost apologetic toot. I assume that regulations stipulate some noise must be made when moving off, no matter what time of day or night?

[Red Squirrel]

I live around a mile from St Philips depot. Most of the time, I hear nothing from there, but if there is just a slight wind from a certain direction, and if I am awake in the wee small hours, I will hear an occasional very truncated parp of a horn,an almost apologetic toot. I assume that regulations stipulate some noise must be made when moving off, no matter what time of day or night?

You're quite sure it doesn't emanate from Mrs FT, N!?

[TonyK]

You're quite sure it doesn't emanate from Mrs FT, N!?

Quite sure. It's a semitone lower.

[Cynthia]

You're quite sure it doesn't emanate from Mrs FT, N!?

Quite sure. It's a semitone lower.

Then that would be a furp rather than a parp?!

[TonyK]

Then that would be a furp rather than a parp?!

In, er, part.

[Chris from Nailsea]

... I will hear an occasional very truncated parp of a horn, an almost apologetic toot. I assume that regulations stipulate some noise must be made when moving off, no matter what time of day or night?

As a retail delivery driver, I am given a similar requirement by my employer when checking the roadworthiness of any vehicle I am about to use:

"Windscreen wipers, washers, horn ... and instruments all working correctly"

I choose to test my 'audible warning device' soon after I've actually left my branch - if only because our loading bay is directly opposite the local Methodist Church, and I'm not sure they'd appreciate horns going off, every few minutes, while we drivers change shifts. 

[TonyK]

As a retail delivery driver, I am given a similar requirement by my employer when checking the roadworthiness of any vehicle I am about to use:

"Windscreen wipers, washers, horn ... and instruments all working correctly"

The question, then, is whether the sounding of the audible warning device at a time when the use of a car horn would be prohibited is a matter of test or required before moving off.