'moaning' rails at portchester

[pompeyfan]

a few weeks ago i was waiting at Portchester station down platform, and there was a 377 on the up, just departing, as it left i thought that it was very unwell, as it sounded like a ropey 313 as it departed.

however it soon became apparent that it was not the unit, but the rails, as both a 159 and 450 came and went making the same noise.

does anybody know what causes this?

i'd guess its poor vibrations or something?

 

[miikey]

Rail wear probably, the sound of the wheel flange wearing on the side of the rail.
Depending on how fast the train is travelling effects what sound is made.
Slow moving trains make a low pitch sort of groaning sound, faster trains make a higher pitched sound.

 

[lewisf]

Would it not be that a rail grinder has been through recently? The tiny grooves they cut into the rail make everything sound like a poorly DC motored unit.

 

[fgwrich]

Would it not be that a rail grinder has been through recently? The tiny grooves they cut into the rail make everything sound like a poorly DC motored unit.

Sounds like the Harsco or Speno Railgrinder's been through. I was told sometime last year by an engineering friend of mine that the noise is generated by both the wheel / rail interface and the hollowness of the axles?.