A homeowner concerned about an increase in vibrations caused by heavy freight trains has built a monitoring device.
The issue of vibration nuisance has been a hot topic on internet forums since the £280million upgrade of the GNGE line, which runs through South Holland, enabled larger trains and higher speeds.
Retired couple Andrew and Carol Hebden live in Mill Green Road, Pinchbeck – about 100 metres from the line.
Andrew says although they don’t hear trains going by, there has been a definite increase in vibrations at certain times – particularly from a mid-afternoon heavy freight train.
He said: “Since the railway line was upgraded we have noticed that one particular type of train caused a significant vibration in the house.”
To try and quantify it, he made a DIY seismometer, using a tripod, the head of a sledgehammer, a rubber bungee cord and a stripped down woofer speaker unit.
Vibrations received through the floor generated a small electrical impulse which was wired into the microphone socket of his PC. Sound recording software recorded the impulses.
Andrew said: “I soon started to recognise certain patterns while listening to what was going on outside. I could hear cars driving by and then see a slight vibration in the plot when the car went over the level crossing nearby.”
He added: “Around 4pm each day a heavy freight train travels along the line. We can feel the approach of the train and the vibration soon builds up and things start to wobble significantly.
“As can be seen by the trace, the level of the vibration is about a magnitude of ten greater than that of the normal freight trains passing by.”
With the equipment uncalibrated, Andrew admits that his experiment is far from scientifically
reliable, but he believes the results do give credence to claims of damage to properties.
“We don’t appear to be suffering any damage, but I have heard of some,” he said.
“I don’t have very strong feelings about [the heavy trains] being stopped, I know some people do. They’re obviously having a very rough time if there’s plaster coming down.”
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Anyone who feels they have a claim for noise or vibration should contact our claims team with evidence of the impact upon their property.
“Claims regarding noise and vibration are considered under the legal heading of Nuisance. In particular, private nuisance.
“Network Rail has been granted a statutory defence in matters such as this in the Railways Act 1993. In particular that the Act grants us authority to use the track in connection with the provision of the network service itself, any stations services including the need to carry out maintenance work to the railway. Any claim would be considered in light of this act.”
The email address for claims is [email protected] or write to Claims dept, 4b George Stephenson House, York, YO1 6JT.
