What are the loud buzzing noises when the announcements are running on some GWR 165s?

[JulienD]

When announcements are running on some GWR 165s, I hear loud buzzing noises coming over the speakers. Sometimes it's so loud it drowns out the announcement completely. What is this ?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

That sounds like some kind of electronic interference with the microphone ( not feedback, that would be a whistling sound ).

 

[The exile]

Do you mean auto announcements or manual ones?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Electrical interference. These are TrainFX, aren't they? It's cheap rubbish.

 

[fgwrich]

Very much Electrical interference. An annoying issue ever since they were installed by FGW during their first refurbishment. It’s a shame they chose TrainFX over the Bonbardier BROS? System used in the Chiltern examples, but they have always felt the better of the two Turbos.

 

[MrJeeves]

Mobile phone signal interference?

 

[fgwrich]

Mobile phone signal interference?

That’s the one!

 

[JulienD]

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[CarltonA]

Mobile phone signal interference?

I used to hear a similar noise in one of my previous cars when the radio was on. I believe it was linked with the 2G phone I had at the time.

 

[Liam L]

Yeah the TrainFX system is crap. I don't miss it on WMR 323 fleet. Though soho did make some improvements with better speakers etc which did help make the announcements 'audible'

 

[Saj8]

The train FX system contains a GSM module, so that it can announce live delay info as the train makes progress, and also to display ETAs at stops on route. It was activated for a couple of months a couple of years ago, and then deactivated again. I dont know why it was deactivated, it did seem to work well. But anyway I digress. It seems that Train FX placed the GSM module right next to the audio amplifier with no shielding or rf suppression in between. It drives me nuts all day every day. You can hear it in the cab too!

 

[Trackman]

Electrical interference. These are TrainFX, aren't they? It's cheap rubbish.

Very much Electrical interference. An annoying issue ever since they were installed by FGW during their first refurbishment. It’s a shame they chose TrainFX over the Bonbardier BROS? System used in the Chiltern examples, but they have always felt the better of the two Turbos.

Indeed, sounds like a grounding issue to me.

 

[webbfan]

Realise it is fashionable to blame Trainfx on here but have you considered that Trainfx do not install their equipment, that is left to whoever is doing the refurbishment. So someone else installs it then it's tested and signed off by whoever. Has anyone told Trainfx about problems - they can't fix if don't know about them.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 May 2026 ==

The train FX system contains a GSM module, so that it can announce live delay info as the train makes progress, and also to display ETAs at stops on route. It was activated for a couple of months a couple of years ago, and then deactivated again. I dont know why it was deactivated, it did seem to work well. But anyway I digress. It seems that Train FX placed the GSM module right next to the audio amplifier with no shielding or rf suppression in between. It drives me nuts all day every day. You can hear it in the cab too!

GSM module is a separate small box included with all Trainfx systems, no change of hardware required for realtime information. You sure about it's location as it has an antenna attached so GSM module usually in the roof. Not sure if has separate audio amplifier, may be one in coaches or at least at the ends, but not sure about that.