Why Are Class 92's So Noisy?

[whhistle]

So, I just bumped in to 92032 (I think) and it was really noisy.
Granted when the drivers switched, it was a lot less loud, but they are a lot louder than say, a Class 90 or 91.

Is it the compressor?

Thanks

 

[Schnellzug]

i couldn't say, but they do sound good. i suppose it's the fans, it usually is on lectric locos. Do they have regenerative brakes?

 

[HSTEd]

Its because it makes it sound 30% more awesome........
Its rather heavier than a 91 or a 90 so it probably has to throttle more to accelerate.

EDIT:
It has 6 traction motors instead of four which would make it sound louder with all the extra ancillaries you like like the aforementioned cooling fans.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

And they are pretty sharp on a Railtour on 3rd rail, as I found on the Sandblower tour! Talk about feel the power!

Yes a 92 has to win for noise. When 92002 was on a tour I was on some time ago, the noise under the canopy at Preston was something else!

 

[Hydro]

When they've got the "fan" noise going they sound very similar to a 66 with it's engine fans going top whack

 

[33056]

Try having one stood outside your window for a few hours on a hot day Also known to upset the neighbours if left panned up near houses as well.......

Despite the fact that they can be a PITA for various reasons, I do actually rate the things as they are excellent machines when they do work properly.

 

[ole man]

DEFRA did a noise survey a few years back between Crewe-Stafford, and found that the class 92 was nowhere near as loud as a class 43 at full power.
The calculation they did was a difference distance's, and they say that because there was only 46 in service, it did not recommend any action

 

[fgwrich]

And they are pretty sharp on a Railtour on 3rd rail, as I found on the Sandblower tour! Talk about feel the power!

Deffinatly! I once had 92017 from Kings Cross to Doncaster and back on one of UK Railtours tours - The amount of pulling power those things have, i could really desicribe as...So thats how EWS Container flats get so many Wheelflats! Despite their pretty average top speed of 87.5 MPH, They do have a pretty phenomenal acceleration!

Just noticed this video on you tube - talk about something of a shovel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Sz5Kz3p24&feature=related

 

[Peter Mugridge]

DEFRA did a noise survey a few years back between Crewe-Stafford, and found that the class 92 was nowhere near as loud as a class 43 at full power.
The calculation they did was a difference distance's, and they say that because there was only 46 in service, it did not recommend any action

If the sound output is at different frequencies ( which it is! ) it will be perceived very differently even at the same decibel level and same distance.

 

[DB Driver029]

The actual level of Fan noise that you hear will vary depending on how hard the Loco has been working whilst under Power and Braking conditions. The very low end is when only the Cooling Fans for the two Traction Convertors and Transformer are running at low speed or step 1!
After being worked for a while the Oil will start to get quiet hot and so the Fans will kick into step 2. Depending on the Train weight and Line characteristics, step 3 may be reached. At this point the 92 is running all Fans flat out to bring the Cooling levels back down to step 1.
Now to add to this when you start to use the Auto Brake you also have the Dynamic Braking which will run two sets of big Fans in the two Brake Resistors Units. These will run long after the Driver has completed the Braking cycle and contributes the most noise level.

Drivers Cooling and Ventilation Screen. The Triangles represent cooling level max readings.

Class 92 Brake Resistor Unit. (Bottom end facing)

 

[brad465]

Considering diesel locos are usually louder this would be a big exception.

 

[DB Driver029]

Indeed a big exception! The noise is the tradeoff for making these Locos do what they do best, hauling high tonnage.

 

[HSTEd]

That is a big fan
What are the resistors made of if anyone knows? Nichrome or some fancy ceramic?

 

[captainbigun]

That is a big fan
What are the resistors made of if anyone knows? Nichrome or some fancy ceramic?

Nothing that fancy, steel alloy of some description. I'm not sure who's kit the blower and resistor assembly is, but I'd hazard a guess that it's Cutler Hammer.