Reason For Horn/Whistle in Rayners Lane/Eastcote

[redbond]

My sister has asked me for reason why Northbound/Westbound trains are blowing their horn before the Cannon Lane bridge between Rayners Lane and Eastcote. I work on the railway, but not LUL so not sure of their rules and regulations. I did suggest that it may be because of a whistle board due to the continuous left hand curve of the line between the two stations, but then thought it may be better to ask on here.

[Dstock7080]

Sept 27, 2020 18:42:44 GMT redbond said:

My sister has asked me for reason why Northbound/Westbound trains are blowing their horn before the Cannon Lane bridge between Rayners Lane and Eastcote. I work on the railway, but not LUL so not sure of their rules and regulations. I did suggest that it may be because of a whistle board due to the continuous left hand curve of the line between the two stations, but then thought it may be better to ask on here.

There is indeed a fixed whistle board just beyond westbound signal A722 on the approach to bridge U8 Cannon Lane.
Whistles must be sounded at whistle boards 0700-1900.

[rincew1nd]

So I guess the next question is, why is there a whistle board there?

[t697]

I'm sure it is due to the continuous left hand curve of the line from the bridge onwards to Eastcote. It's tree lined so further restricted sighting distance for anyone working on or beside the track.
However, the rules for Protection are based on those on the track being provided adequate sighting time so there would likely need to be lookouts posted. The Protection doesn't (or shouldn't) rely on drivers operating the whistle. However it's difficult to justify removal of this further mitigation of risk.

Another local factor that might be relevant here in retaining the Whistle board is the adjacent parkland and possible presence of trespassers who won't have provided themselves with sighting time etc., but can be seen as owed some duty of care?

[35b]

All of which are interesting theories, but don’t explain the time restrictions on use of the board. If sighting is an issue, then I’d have thought it if anything more dangerous 19:00-07:00 than not.

I appreciate the neighbours may have an alternative take on matters!

[brigham]

The adoption of searchlight headlamps may have eased the situation at night.

[redbond]

Thanks for the replies. I'm sure she'll be grateful that she didn't check before moving close to the line.

[t697]

Sept 28, 2020 7:01:58 GMT 35b said:

All of which are interesting theories, but don’t explain the time restrictions on use of the board. If sighting is an issue, then I’d have thought it if anything more dangerous 19:00-07:00 than not.

Staff won't legitimately be on the track 19:00-07:00 AND it be Traffic Hours except in emergency. One can then go on about regulating whistle times to daylight hours as the seasons change but that's more difficult to enforce and apply properly and consistently.
Sorry to be blunt but if you live near a railway, expect railway sounds. After a while you get more used to it.  At least the frequent passage of trains with bad wheel flats has much reduced in this area now the Met line trains are S stock.

[35b]

Sept 28, 2020 12:37:23 GMT t697 said:

Sept 28, 2020 7:01:58 GMT 35b said:

All of which are interesting theories, but don’t explain the time restrictions on use of the board. If sighting is an issue, then I’d have thought it if anything more dangerous 19:00-07:00 than not.

Staff won't legitimately be on the track 19:00-07:00 AND it be Traffic Hours except in emergency. One can then go on about regulating whistle times to daylight hours as the seasons change but that's more difficult to enforce and apply properly and consistently.
Sorry to be blunt but if you live near a railway, expect railway sounds. After a while you get more used to it.  At least the frequent passage of trains with bad wheel flats has much reduced in this area now the Met line trains are S stock.

I have always lived within earshot of a railway, and some of my local trains are significantly louder than S stock.

[marri260]

I walked to the Cannon Lane bridge twice from Rayners Lane to get some photos for trees overhanging the footbridge / road that Harrow Council wanted sorted. It was also a good excuse to have a proper look at the famous 'bridge to nowhere' whilst on the way.

The cess on both roads from Rayners - Eastcote is excellent for walking, but there is next to no visibility of WB trains approaching bridge U8 if you are on the Eastcote side of the bridge.

[countryman]

Sept 28, 2020 12:37:23 GMT t697 said:

Sept 28, 2020 7:01:58 GMT 35b said:

All of which are interesting theories, but don’t explain the time restrictions on use of the board. If sighting is an issue, then I’d have thought it if anything more dangerous 19:00-07:00 than not.

Staff won't legitimately be on the track 19:00-07:00 AND it be Traffic Hours except in emergency. One can then go on about regulating whistle times to daylight hours as the seasons change but that's more difficult to enforce and apply properly and consistently.
Sorry to be blunt but if you live near a railway, expect railway sounds. After a while you get more used to it.  At least the frequent passage of trains with bad wheel flats has much reduced in this area now the Met line trains are S stock.

I lived at the top end of Conway Crescent in Perivale from 1960 to 1976. The viaduct carrying the Central Line over the Greenford loop ran over the ends of the gardens opposite our house, the 2 hour King service from Paddington to Birmingham ran under the viaduct, the Western Avenue was only about 600 yards away and the windy weather flightpath to Heathrow passed over the house. We didn't notice anything after the first week or so.

[roythebus]

Like people who move to Longton road in New Romney next to the RHDR station, then moan about the sound of steam trains. the railway has been there over 90 years now.

[rincew1nd]

The Talyllyn Railway has operated continuously for over 150 years; neighbours still complain about emissions of noise and smoke, despite the best efforts of railway staff.

[zbang]

Complaining about the noise is a tradition probably going back, oh, let's call it 200 years now. And these same people would rent a flat over a pub or next to the fire brigade and complain about that noise, too.

Vaguely back to the original- how common are time-based whistle restrictions? Or "no-blow" level crossings? We've had some enormous fights over them 'round here ("CalTrain", if anyone's interested).