Unusual Track noise

[spuddie]

Apologies if this in the wrong catagory but have noticed something a little odd the last couple of days.

I live just south of Letchworth station with the railway line behind my flat. Yesterday morning when I woke I heard a train go past (either a 313/7/21) which sounded rather unhealthy. A few mins later same noise from one going the other way. I initially assumed it was a faulty unit and had been turned round at Letchworth sidings. Next train goes through and same thing. It's like a higher pitch noise than normal and louder aand is really noticably different to normal.

Even now have heard it on 365's and a frieght loco going through. If one of the fast trains go through it's no different and normal.

Any ideas on what could have changed or am I just losing my marbles?

 

[BestWestern]

Yes, you're going completely mad! Next thing you'll be telling us the phantom Deltic is going past your window!

Just kidding, rails can make a variety of noises differing in pitch and so on. Has any p-way work been carried out in that area recently, track renewal etc?

 

[spuddie]

Good to know it's possibly not me

No work that I'm aware of, they sounded normal at the weekend and I even came over that area on a 317 the day before.

 

[philjo]

Which part of Letchworth are you in? I can see the trains coming in/out of the sidings from home and I haven't heard anything unusual there - we get the usual rumblings when freight trains go over the Norton Way Bridge! It sounded like there was an engineering train working on Saturday night though so that might have changed something.
Can't say that I have noticed anything when on the train the last couple of days though. I'll try to listen out as the train approaches Letchworth this evening.

 

[TDK]

You will probably find that the rail grinder has been out on that section of track. This will give an unusual sound.

 

[philjo]

Yes, it sounded like the grinder was out late the other evening.

Just arrived back - didn't hear anything unusual (other than the usual 317 noises!) Came over the flyover again.

 

[Geeves]

Yes it makes diesel powered powered trains sound like they have old style EMU motors underneath if you want insanity lol

 

[Yew]

You will probably find that the rail grinder has been out on that section of track. This will give an unusual sound.

That would be my guess. They are quite interesting to see. The shower of sparks makes it look like the train is moving on lava. I mean a lava train, how cool is that!

 

[Trog]

That would be my guess. They are quite interesting to see. The shower of sparks makes it look like the train is moving on lava. I mean a lava train, how cool is that!

They have been known to be chased by over enthusiastic fire engines in the past.

 

[spuddie]

Which part of Letchworth are you in? I can see the trains coming in/out of the sidings from home and I haven't heard anything unusual there - we get the usual rumblings when freight trains go over the Norton Way Bridge! It sounded like there was an engineering train working on Saturday night though so that might have changed something.
Can't say that I have noticed anything when on the train the last couple of days though. I'll try to listen out as the train approaches Letchworth this evening.

That probably explains it then, I'm the other end of the Station to you so just after they leave and then pass the Spirella building.

 

[Ploughman]

And in one or two cases by irate farmers when their field has been set alight along the York Scarborough line.
Not just kettles that do it.