Loud trains cause Tube disruption

[Dennis]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7937678.stm

Why should this happen 'on very rare occasions'?

 

[mbonwick]

It'll be when flange greasers fail or the lubricant on the rails dries out/runs out, allowing the flanges on the wheels to rub against the inside of the rail, giving the screeching noise.

 

[DavyCrocket]

This is certainly not rare.
It is rather common for staff to refuse to work on certain platforms due to rail lubrication issues.

A few years ago, there were problems all over the Metronet lines as the wrong grease had been used and the ERU had to be called out to the most noisey sites.

 

[Dennis]

Reason I asked is that I never remember noticing any lubricators on the tube and also thought it seemed a bit drastic to shut the station at such a time.