Video: ‘Very noisy’ new trains disturbing York residents

New diesel trains at York are causing noise pollution for some residents.

Green Councillor Denise Craghill says she has been contacted by residents living close to the station complaining about an loud trains parked at Platform 4.

It’s coming from the new TransPennine Express Nova trains which are powered by a heavy diesel locomotive seen here in this video filmed at York station.

During January, trains from Scarborough have been terminating in York rather than going through to Liverpool.

Councillor Craghill said, “I have been told by Transpennine Express that this particular issue has been caused by these new trains idling at the station following a recent temporary schedule change, which for the moment during lockdown has been changed back to a schedule that involves less idling.

“I was surprised to hear that this excess noise was being caused by the new Nova 3 diesel trains that were only introduced in 2019. How is that new trains are so much louder than old trains?

Noise pollution is an increasing problem and can be just as damaging for our health as air pollution.”

Long idling periods

Nova 3 trains use a powerful locomotive to haul five carriages, the older Class 185 trains had smaller engines underneath the train and didn’t make as much noise.

They still operate some of the services to and from Malton and Scarborough.

Councillor Craghill added, “Given the importance of doing more to reduce carbon emissions, it is disappointing that these new very noisy diesel trains have been introduced.

“Also I have been told that they take 15 mins to turn off and a further 15 minutes to turn back on, which according to the explanation I have been given, is a further reason for the long periods of idling experienced by nearby residents.”

There have been similar complaints of noise caused by the new trains in Scarborough.