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Post by orienteer on Jan 6, 2018 10:03:00 GMT
On recent trips I've noticed the southbound track from Neasden (I think, can't now recall exactly where it starts) to West Hampstead gives rise to a distinct "singing" sound. Is this due to track grinding, and why is it done?
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Post by goldenarrow on Jan 6, 2018 10:48:00 GMT
orienteer , Having been up front on a few occasions recently, it certainly looks and sounds like rail grinding has taken place. I first heard the noise you describe on the SB South of Willesden Green to the bridge over the North London Line in 2013 but as you say it looks to have been extended back to Neasden and to West Hampstead. By way of circumstance, this stretch of railway is more prone to a hammerming than others as trains reach abnormally high speeds for Tube stock meaning that the greater angulation of the wheels and flanges on LU stock wear out the rails between Wembley Park and Finchley Road quicker with trains regularly hitting 60mph. The higher rate of wear on the rails can aso result in an uneven groove being drawn which, left unchecked can lead to distortions in the ballast and track form aswell as bridges and track based cable systems. The first zone of rail grinding has certainly stabilised the ride of the train as it passes over a trio of aging bridges beyond Kilburn the oldest of which dates from 1914. The ride between Wembley and Finchley Rd SB has improved as the wheels now wear more consistent grove even at higher speeds which in turn should reduce the money spent on track tamping and extending the life of the rails currency in situ. Hopefully if the work on the SB track has been judged a success, it will be rolled out to other parts of the Met where trains are lurching around as a result of poor rail grooves. Up until Oct 2017 a case of what could happen if track wear was left untouched was a notorious lurch was on the NB through Neasden. This bouncy castle caused a colleague of mine to let go of the Traction Brake Controller (TBC) whilst doing top speed.
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Post by goldenarrow on Aug 18, 2018 17:46:35 GMT
Extensive track grinding has taken place on the Northbound Local and Fast lines between Preston Road and Northwick Park, noticeable difference in the amount of rattling/rumbling. I thought I could hear the same whines on the Southbound Local leaving Harrow but will have to listen more closely next time.
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Post by philthetube on Aug 19, 2018 20:13:36 GMT
yes you could. If you look at track where grinding has taken place you can see the change in the rail profile. There is only a very slim area in the middle of the rail which is shiny, on unground track the whole rail head is shiny.
(Surprisingly unground is a word)
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londoner
thinking on '73 stock
Posts: 478 
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Post by londoner on Aug 20, 2018 18:12:25 GMT
yes you could. If you look at track where grinding has taken place you can see the change in the rail profile. There is only a very slim area in the middle of the rail which is shiny, on unground track the whole rail head is shiny. (Surprisingly unground is a word) I'm glad you've mentioned that because I noticed the track looked very different to what you normally see, and was going to ask a question about it! |
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Post by A60stock on Sept 11, 2018 18:04:19 GMT
that "singing" has most certainly reached as far as the southbound local between northwood hills and pinner, not sure how far this extends though
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Post by melikepie on Sept 11, 2018 21:18:11 GMT
Do the tracks sing in baritone, mezzo, soprano, alto or tenor?
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Post by holborncentral on Sept 12, 2018 9:50:02 GMT
Hope they can hold a note better than some of the X Factor contestants (I don't watch it but I have seen clips of it before)  |
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Post by whistlekiller2000 on Sept 12, 2018 9:58:02 GMT
Hope they can hold a note better than some of the X Factor contestants (I don't watch it but I have seen clips of it before) TfL always use auto tune for track projects. |
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Post by orienteer on Sept 29, 2018 9:39:52 GMT
The Uxbridge branch eastbound has been set to music. More Mongolian throat singing rather than Monteverdi.
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Post by goldenarrow on Sept 29, 2018 13:31:21 GMT
The Uxbridge branch eastbound has been set to music. More Mongolian throat singing rather than Monteverdi. Started to warble on the WB too near Ickenham, shame it couldn’t be implemented sooner near Eastcote as the lurching of trains no doubt caused by dips in the track form has gotten to the point where I believe there is a temporary speed restriction of 40mph over the worst bits. |
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