Trivia: Most annoying sound made by a train

[eoff]

Not sure of class but some of the ScotRail trains had a clanking motor/compressor that ran from time to time.

Also wheel squeal going round corners on underground trains with Cambridge (MA.) Harvard Square being the worst.

 

[xotGD]

When I was a kid valenta HST's were so terrifying i'd cover my ears and run for cover before the tailing power car reached me.

Very wise!

Excruciating noise.

 

[py_megapixel]

I find the "clunk" sound caused by the door seal engaging on an IET to be very jarring, however, it doesn't pass as "most annoying" in my opinion as it's only really audible from the vestibule so it's not really noticeable from where most passengers are.

One of the most annoying ones in my opinion is on some 150s, it sounds like (forgive the onomatopoeia) tsch-PSSSS! tsch-PSSSS! tsch-PSSSS! tsch-PSSSS!

any gwr announcements

awful

I assume you mean the rather patronising female voice (Janine, apparently) they have? "THIS issss....... rrrrREADing! Do NOT try to board or leave the train, when the doors are closing!!!"
They also have a male voice which is a little better IMHO.

 

[Ashley Hill]

All hustle alarms. Toilet announcements (please lock the door etc). Auto-announcements. I could go on! And I like the drone of Deltics!!!

 

[greyman42]

The rattles on any new train from CAF when they get to their maximum speeds.

 

[Kneedown]

Deltics. That infernal droning they make: sound like a badly tuned set of bagpipes.

If only this forum had a "Like" button!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Dec 2020 ==

The high pitched squeal from the brakes of units like the 80X & 180 Fleets. Try working in a station where you hear that all day!.

That's due to copper in the brake pads. It prevents glazing and deterioration in brake performance so, ear piercing though it is, it's a good sound!

 

[EveningStar]

Voyager under any overall roof ... headache inducing.

 

[swr444]

I'm surprised no-ones mentioned the awful sound of a class 180's breaks.

 

[py_megapixel]

I'm surprised no-ones mentioned the awful sound of a class 180's breaks.

It's been mentioned several times, albeit not on this page of the thread. I have to say I find the ones on 800/802 units to be much worse, but that's just me.

 

[northernbelle]

One of the most annoying ones in my opinion is on some 150s, it sounds like (forgive the onomatopoeia) tsch-PSSSS! tsch-PSSSS! tsch-PSSSS! tsch-PSSSS!

If it's the sound I'm thinking of, that's the air tank safety valves blowing off because the normal air pressure regulating unloader valves have stopped working (usually because they've bunged up with moisture caused by water in the air system or oil being passed around the system).

While the sound itself doesn't annoy me, knowing what's causing it does - if the safety valves fail the vehicle loses its air and has to be dragged home.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Dec 2020 ==

The only thing more annoying than the sound of Mark 3 gangways was when you combined it with the other incessantly annoying sound of the internal sliding doors banging open and shut endlessly when passengers left their luggage on the pressure sensor that operates them. Used to drive me round the bend on a busy train.

 

[Journeyman]

The only thing more annoying than the sound of Mark 3 gangways was when you combined it with the other incessantly annoying sound of the internal sliding doors banging open and shut endlessly when passengers left their luggage on the pressure sensor that operates them. Used to drive me round the bend on a busy train.

Combined with the inevitable rush of cold air from an open droplight...agreed, terrible.

 

[TrainTube]

The out of tune door noises on 458s

 

[Tracked]

Automated/non-Automated Announcements, was once on a TPE to Cleethorpes where the announcements from Sheffield lasted so long there was only about 20-30 seconds between them and the announcement for Meadowhall (used to be my regular train home from work, iirc there was one guard in particular that was bad for this).

That whirring 195s made when slowing down - only been on them a couple of times at the start of the year, not sure if it's still a thing.

Doors opening on a 158

 

[hexagon789]

That whirring 195s made when slowing down - only been on them a couple of times at the start of the year, not sure if it's still a thing.

Possibly an integrated retarder on the transmission? Can't remember if 195s have this.

 

[xotGD]

Doors opening on a 158

I like that sound. Plus the ripple of anxiety among my fellow passengers caused by the delay in the doors actually opening after you've pressed the button.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The out of tune door noises on 458s

More annoying on 458s was the old autoannouncer which had the intonation completely wrong. I think I could see what they were trying to do with it, but they didn't succeed. Presumably he was just a random member of staff rather than a professional voice artist, a bit like the previous rude, clipped TPE voice which has now been replaced.

Also the way he said "De door buttons have been activated" first.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Dec 2020 ==

I like that sound. Plus the ripple of anxiety among my fellow passengers caused by the delay in the doors actually opening after you've pressed the button.

That always sounded like the door was going to take a chunk of bodyside with it as it opened.

 

[supervc-10]

Or fall off!

 

[Vespa]

I suppose for me it had to be the Pacer, it rattles especially if it's really loud, however I'm in the fortunate position of switching my hearing aid off and have only blissful silence so any other class noise would never have the opportunity to annoy me.

 

[philthetube]

nothing as bad as hearing your train depart as you arrive at the platform

 

[Clansman]

Special mention for the air con on ScotRail 158s. Nothing worse when it's on, and nothing better when it's off.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Special mention for the air con on ScotRail 158s. Nothing worse when it's on, and nothing better when it's off.

158 aircon isn't noisy[1]? Or have they fitted a new system that is?

If you want noisy aircon, try a 350/450 or 444.

[1] Nor indeed does it do anything else, such as cool the train interior.

 

[Clansman]

158 aircon isn't noisy[1]? Or have they fitted a new system that is?

If you want noisy aircon, try a 350/450 or 444.

[1] Nor indeed does it do anything else, such as cool the train interior.

It's not noisy, but it is annoying. It's like somebody playing a low key saxophone note on constant for the time of your journey. With the aircon off, a ScotRail 158 is the most pleasant ambience for any DMU you will ever get.

 

[alexl92]

Surprised no-one's yet suggested the annoying, shrieking, wheel flange squeal that happens when travelling on Pacer units around tight curves.

The curve on the approach to Crimple Viaduct between Pannal and Hornbeam Park on the Leeds - Harrogate run. Nails on a blackboard have NOTHING on that!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

The curve on the approach to Crimple Viaduct between Pannal and Hornbeam Park on the Leeds - Harrogate run.

Is that where the train unexpectedly makes a 90° left turn?

Skelton Junction near Navigation Road is not that dissimilar.

 

[Trackman]

If it's the sound I'm thinking of, that's the air tank safety valves blowing off because the normal air pressure regulating unloader valves have stopped working (usually because they've bunged up with moisture caused by water in the air system or oil being passed around the system).

While the sound itself doesn't annoy me, knowing what's causing it does - if the safety valves fail the vehicle loses its air and has to be dragged home.

I wonder if it’s the same sound my mate was complaining about the other week.
He said he was on a 150 that sounded like a steam engine.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's not noisy, but it is annoying. It's like somebody playing a low key saxophone note on constant for the time of your journey. With the aircon off, a ScotRail 158 is the most pleasant ambience for any DMU you will ever get.

To be fair I do have good memories of doing Manchester to Liverpool on a TPE 158 (with the nice blue and wood-effect interior which was partly my doing as I suggested it on a survey), in the middle coach with the engines out and windows open in summer. Superb ride, really quiet (even with open windows). Made me think it was a shame no LHCS had been built derived from the Class 158 vehicle.

 

[cjmillsnun]

I'm surprised no-ones mentioned the awful sound of a class 180's breaks.

Is that the sound from the brakes or the wailing from passengers when the unit breaks down?

 

[yorkie]

Just to add that we have a thread for discussing any other annoyances (such as sounds made by other passengers!) when travelling by train:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/annoyances-experienced-when-travelling-by-train.212053/

Some posts have been split from this thread into that one.

 

[leshuttle]

TGV braking in an enclosed station like this

 

[samuelmorris]

To be fair I do have good memories of doing Manchester to Liverpool on a TPE 158 (with the nice blue and wood-effect interior which was partly my doing as I suggested it on a survey), in the middle coach with the engines out and windows open in summer. Superb ride, really quiet (even with open windows). Made me think it was a shame no LHCS had been built derived from the Class 158 vehicle.

Mk 4s? Definitely a lot of similarities.