Advice wanted on house next to rail lines

[DarloRich]

Cheers Dave

why is that train in the lane on its own? , is that the fast line northbound?

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leighton_Buzzard_railway_station

A station with two-facing platforms was opened a ¼-mile south of the Linslade tunnels. These are arranged unusually for a four track main line: the southbound slow line has a tunnel to itself as does the northbound fast line, however the northbound slow and southbound fast lines share a tunnel. This stems from the fact that the line was built as double-track and when quadrupled, the two extra lines could only be placed along both sides, as single-track tunnels

 

[Dan-Dan]

facisnating , thanks chaps!

 

[Greenback]

........and like the missus moaning in your ear!!!

I think you forgot about that one.

Er, yes, I knew there was something I failed to mention!

Looking at the picture, the house doesn't seem to be any closer to the tracks than we ar enow, so I have no hesitation in agreeing with those who say that, as long as there is no signal, loops or sidings about, noise should not be a big problem.

There is a signal near our house, but nothing ever seems to stop at it!

Of course, the West Wales line is a lot less busy than the WCML, but given we can't hear the heavy oil tank trains and HST's that go past, I am pretty confident that the mainly electric trains on the route would not be a big problem.

 

[Dan-Dan]

as long as there is no signal, loops or sidings about, noise should not be a big problem.

Thanks...

How would i clarify for sure , this though ?

cheers

 

[DarloRich]

There are no loops there and the only signals are at the station

 

[Greenback]

Thanks...

How would i clarify for sure , this though ?

cheers

Either a look at satellite images, a visit to the lineside or a look at track plans for the area would help. Or possibly all of the above!

 

[work-traveller]

On a slightly (but not entirely) related note, I was on the West Highland Railway at the weekend. Anyone who's been on it (& benefits from working ears) will know it's substantially jointed track. That is apart from a short section (0.5km or so) where it passes a house right up against, but nothing to do with the line. I don't recall exactly where it was, but somewhere around Ardui. Presumably the owner agitated enough to get the track welded up by Network Rail.

I only noticed because I had become used to the rhythm of the track/bogies, but then it suddenly stopped. Then within 200m or so we passed a house adjacent to the track, then after approximately another 200m the 'de-dum de-dum' started up again.

 

[Yew]

Worth bearing in mind any freight, at my flat in lincoln, a freight train waiting at a red light will sit idling exactly outside my window. can be a pain at nights when you want to get to sleep (fortunately they generally leave after 10/20 mins.

 

[Temple Meads]

Worth bearing in mind any freight, at my flat in lincoln, a freight train waiting at a red light will sit idling exactly outside my window. can be a pain at nights when you want to get to sleep (fortunately they generally leave after 10/20 mins.

You don't know how lucky you are

I'm 6 miles away from the railway, so having trains at such a close proximity would be a great novelty, and I'm not sure it would ever wear off.

 

[Yew]

You don't know how lucky you are

I'm 6 miles away from the railway, so having trains at such a close proximity would be a great novelty, and I'm not sure it would ever wear off.

Sprinters and Sheds

Although i did get a nice view of Deltic, and a Castle when they came for the xmas market, and the Daily HST is always good (however I generally aim to miss the morning one )

 

[Harbon 1]

I've lived next to the railway for 13 years, 2 continuously welded tracks, and up until recently, 2 jointed. Freight runs about every hour each way through the night, but I don't notice it like visitors do. Intact I find sleeping at other houses too quiet. You will 100% get used to it!

 

[LCC106]

On an equally off topic tangent, on the route I'm currently learning at least 5 drivers have told me that the rail used to "clunk" at a certain point, so they knew exactly where they were between 2 particular stations, even in thick fog. Apparently I will just have to rely on instinct

 

[Pugland53]

Just make sure the house isn't near a whistle board! That would bug the hell out of me.

 

[soil]

I live 3/4 of a mile from the train station. There is a town and several streets of dwellings between me and the railway. The trains are not audible, but a train horn can be heard through the windows at 4am.

 

[The Planner]

Perhaps your solicitor could raise a specific enquiry of the seller as to how many times Network Rail have informed them of work on the track. I would also have a look at http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/ (select advanced and make sure the top three STP indicators are checked then enter Leighton Buzzard. Also visit the area at times you are concerned during the week and at the weekend and check the noise for yourself.

Leighton Buzzard won't give you the full picture as only stoppers are timed there, use Ledburn Junction as everything is. It is only 3 miles away so the times will only be 2-3 minutes out from Leighton Buzzard.

 

[Darren R]

As someone who also lives immediately alongside a railway line (15 feet from the passing trains - do I win the prize for nearest? ) albeit one considerably more backwater than the WCML, I can only echo what others have said. After a while the only time you'll notice passing trains is when visitors point it out to you, and the house is some distance from the railway.

However, one caveat: bear in mind overnight and BH weekend-long engineering work. You will certainly notice a Tamper or Stone-blower going past! And from experience a parked up loco with its engine idling can be heard from at least 1/2 a mile away at night.

Also in relation to engineering overnight - the temporary floodlights they use are very VERY bright, especially when shining through your bedroom window at 3am! I would advise investing in a pair of thick, dark-coloured curtains for the back bedroom!

All-in-all, I should say that the proximity of the house to Leighton Buzzard is rather more of a concern than the railway!

 

[Harbon 1]

As someone who also lives immediately alongside a railway line (15 feet from the passing trains - do I win the prize for nearest? )

close competition, my fence is maybe 10 feet away but the house is further

 

[Cab2Cab]

close competition, my fence is maybe 10 feet away but the house is further

I think somebody living in a old crossing cottage would be the winner of this competition. I know of some on the ECML near Retford.

 

[LCC106]

Some great advice here. Consider also the ability to sell the house on in future. Keep us posted

 

[Dan-Dan]

As someone who also lives immediately alongside a railway line (15 feet from the passing trains - do I win the prize for nearest? ) albeit one considerably more backwater than the WCML, I can only echo what others have said. After a while the only time you'll notice passing trains is when visitors point it out to you, and the house is some distance from the railway.

However, one caveat: bear in mind overnight and BH weekend-long engineering work. You will certainly notice a Tamper or Stone-blower going past! And from experience a parked up loco with its engine idling can be heard from at least 1/2 a mile away at night.

Also in relation to engineering overnight - the temporary floodlights they use are very VERY bright, especially when shining through your bedroom window at 3am! I would advise investing in a pair of thick, dark-coloured curtains for the back bedroom!

All-in-all, I should say that the proximity of the house to Leighton Buzzard is rather more of a concern than the railway!

How rude lol!

really good advice though and thanks...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Some great advice here. Consider also the ability to sell the house on in future. Keep us posted

If we can get it at a price we think is realistic , and have enough equity when (or if) the time comes , AND we are realistic , the resale is not such a consideration as hopefully whatever the house gets would be money for the kids to do what they see fit with

getting ahead of myself anyway! havent even been inside yet

thanks again all , your helps really been appreciated

 

[Cliveblackpool]

I lived close to the Cornwall main line.
Less than 100 yds of Trenance Viaduct St Austell.
Great view of the trains, freight, and passenger, and could see them all the way to Gover Viaduct!
A fraction of the traffic at Leighton Buzzard!
After a few days we got used to the noise.
Probably at LBZ you might be woken up if the trains stopped running!! - Too quiet!!!
My threepenny worth, would be visit the location at different times of the day. Eg 9am, 5pm, 11pm. Just sit in the car with the windows slightly open and observe - human & rail activity.
For your official visit, write down your questions, and always be polite!!
I would hate to live near to HV power lines!

 

[Cab2Cab]

My threepenny worth, would be visit the location at different times of the day. Eg 9am, 5pm, 11pm. Just sit in the car with the windows slightly open and observe - human & rail activity.


........Ay Ay, hello sailorrrr!!! "No, i was just merely listen to trains officer, honestly i was".

 

[Dan-Dan]

lol , getting nicked and accused of dogging would not be good!

 

[Get-Pulled-Off]

I live within 100 yards of a motorway which is a much more constant droan than a rail line and can agree with others that your brain filters the noise out to the point that you no longer consciously hear it unless you think about it. I can sit out on a summers day (when we get one!) with a book and be completely oblivious to the sound.

If you still not convinced I would consider a radical solution like borrowing or renting a camper van for the night and sleeping over and see what you think about the noise. Its a big decision to make, not only for monetary reasons, but if you really couldn't hack it houses can take a good while to sell, unless you are prepared to take a hit for a quick sale. There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable in your own home.

 

[Cab2Cab]

If you still not convinced I would consider a radical solution like borrowing or renting a camper van for the night and sleeping over and see what you think.



LOL........NO COMMENT

 

[Mutant Lemming]

If there is a wall of flat facing fencing facing the track that may become a target for the graffiti fraternity.

 

[Trog]

There is a road leading to the garages behind the houses, running between them and the railway. You could drive in there in the evening, and park up, while you listen to the trains. The line is in a cutting so the DF in particular which is the nearest line, is shielded from the houses and vice versa by the cutting side.


As for living near the railway I once used a DTS and tamper on a track only 10' from the gable end of a house in London. I bet the earth moved for him that night.

 

[dysonsphere]

Well slightly different the Meir tunnel on the Stoke to Derby line runnes under the rear third of my back garden. Which is why the gardens go back 200 feet, no houses on top of the tunnel. (its not that far down there)

 

[David Dunning]

Fascinating reading all this.
I owned a house at Beningbrough R/G crossing for several years. Back in 1997 it was the only way i could get land and a big house, it was about 30K cheaper than anything else similar in the Vale of York.

The house was 10 feet from the line (125mph) and the trains tooted for the crossing too.

The first few weeks were a nighmare as with the windows open it was really loud. The house also had the shakes too , not violent but like an earth tremor.

Got used to it after a few weeks, loved that place. It sold overnight on word of mouth for more than double to a family who had no interest in trains.

Two things that were a pain .. Railtrack workers in the winter in vans with engines going. More annoying than heavy machinery at 2am .
and the expense of lightbulbs blowing all the time. Its the vibrations you dont feel but your light fittings do . Live by Holgate Bridge now and have the same problems with this house.

 

[plastictaffy]

We used to live right next to the main line that went to South Wales, just on the outskirts of Bristol. Exactly where we were, there was a small suburban station that only used to get 2 trains an hour each way. There was quite an increase in the speed limit as they came through that station, too. They used to enter the station at around 40mph, (if they weren't stopping, obviously!!) and accelerate away pretty hard. They were diesel trains, (including HST's back in the day of the screaming Valenta engines) and after about a week it no longer bothered us. The gunshots that we used to hear emanating from the Stapleton Road area used to wake us up regularly, however. It'll be fine living there.

Also, FWIW, I've spent the previous two weeks in the training room at Bletchley depot, which is about 15 feet away from the down fast line!!! Today, I realised I no longer heard the trains!!