93% of survey respondents say that the noise is the same or worse following the Sydney Trains Works following the EPA fines in November last year.

Following the EPA regulatory action last year,  Sydney Trains undertook track replacement, machining and grinding and later installed some TORFMAs and Flange Lubrication.

My personal observation was that the rail replacement and grinding works made the noise worse. In particular, around the Bridge End precinct, we started to experience high pitched flanging, whistling and grinding noises in addition to the original rumble. These problems continue.

After the lubrication, which was installed near this area, there was improvement for many trains, but still a significant number were unchanged.  The lubrication seemed to be turned off or not functioning frequently. After rain it took several hours to return to effectiveness.  The noise appeared to increase in the night time.

My measurements over this time were difficult to interpret as there were fewer trains due to COVID and industrial action, and there was frequent rain which reduces noise.  However, they do support the variability between trains and the higher noise in the night time.

I ran a survey across our 800 members and found that 93% of respondents found that the noise was worse or unchanged or had improved but reverted to normal soon after.  This survey supports my own observations.

My fear is that, following a poor design, wrong technology and botched implementation, Sydney Trains will now claim that they have done everything possible and the problem cannot be fixed.