DLR noise? Loud horn....

cymruchris

Now that we know it's your own place - then the soundproofing route might be worth exploring more when you have the budget. Make sure there are no gaps around the edges of the windows (feel any cold drafts?) - definitely look into adding blinds and acoustic curtains - if the external wall is 'thin' you could add something to the internal side of the wall to help deaden the sound - lots of options that will help improve the noise - but all come at a cost. 

Rony

cymruchris said:

Now that we know it's your own place - then the soundproofing route might be worth exploring more when you have the budget. Make sure there are no gaps around the edges of the windows (feel any cold drafts?) - definitely look into adding blinds and acoustic curtains - if the external wall is 'thin' you could add something to the internal side of the wall to help deaden the sound - lots of options that will help improve the noise - but all come at a cost. 

Hi, yes, I have looked at weather stripping also. However I'm just young and dumb and know nothing about DIY. I just need more time to do some research. I also live on 8th floor, and I'm a bit scared of weatherstripping my doors/windows as I'm scared of falling out when doing the bits at the top!

I have wave-styled tracks for my curtains, so sound will get in through the waves at the top, but I guess I can change to normal styled curtains if it becomes unbearable and I want the peace!

I don't know much about the walls, but that is also something to look into! I might jsut one day get a handyman to do all of the above for me :P 

Thanks

jon81uk

jbuchanangb said:

It is very unusual for DLR trains to skip stops. Normally all services call at all stations. Probably these are out of service trains returning to depot.

This is why they are mainly late at night as the trains are running empty to return to depot.
But as most DLR stations are unstaffed there is nothing to stop people being on the platform when trains are not running, so they need to sound the horn.

jon81uk

cymruchris said:

The DLR is driverless - so I imagine it's primarily and automated system. Fingers crossed they don't go to 24 hours like other parts of the tube network I can't see them ever stopping the noise - as warning people of a passing train is quite important. Is this a purchased apartment or a rental? I imagine that if a rental - and it gets to you in the longer term, you'll have to find somewhere else when your contract is up - if it's your own place - you might want to see if you can improve the soundproofing somehow to reduce the impact, but hard to know what you can do on this front without knowing a few more specifics. Potentially you could look at things like Acoustic curtains? (They are a thing!) The more layers you can put up between the world outside and your bed - the less noise will get through.

The DLR is automated, but not unstaffed. I think the horn when non-stopping is still manual done by the member of staff onboard the train.

MalMonroe

Oh! Am I unusual in that I love trains and all their noises? Although I do understand that it's mostly at night they're disturbing. I live in a very quiet rural location where all we hear at night is owls. But I visited a friend in the US a few times and she lives near a train station (Ohio) and I really loved the sound of all those trains at night - there seem to be a lot - and the hooting of the horns, rather than hooting of owls. After the first couple of nights I always get used to the noise and sleep well.

Could it be that you're just not used to that noise yet? Do you think you will get used to it? Or do you find yourself waiting for it? I think you can get used to most things, given time. Having said that, I do sleep like a log and through most things - storms, people knocking on the door, doorbell ringing, etc. 

I don't think it would be strange to write and try to find out why that horn noise sounds how and when it does. After all, you are a very interested party and it does affect you. You never know, there may well be something they can do. One never knows until one tries!  There's absolutely nothing to be lost by writing a letter of enquiry. Go for it.

You might like to ask your neighbours as well, if it affects them and if they'd like to sign your letter. I'm really not joking here, either. People power does often work. And also, you might meet some nice people. When coronavirus has died down a bit, though, obvs!

Stigy

Hasbeen said:

If trains are going at high speed through a station and not stopping the driver has to warn / alert people that a high speed train is passing through.

If they stand to near the platform edge they may be sucked in as train passes? So will be killed. So not insensitive! LOL

Buy some decent ear plugs. Or perhaps move to another flat somewhere not near a railway station / line?

There is no requirement to sound the horn when passing non-stop through a station routinely. Whilst I appreciate it may be different to an extent on the DLR, generic actions such as these will likely be the same, be it mainline or light rail. There may be local instructions for drivers at certain locations, but generally speaking, it's acceptable to sound the horn between the hours of 0600 and 2359hrs at designated places (there will be whistle boards to indicate where the horn must be sounded). Outside of these times the horn will be used when the driver deems it necessary. 

Belenus

MalMonroe said:

Oh! Am I unusual in that I love trains and all their noises? Although I do understand that it's mostly at night they're disturbing. I live in a very quiet rural location where all we hear at night is owls. But I visited a friend in the US a few times and she lives near a train station (Ohio) and I really loved the sound of all those trains at night - there seem to be a lot - and the hooting of the horns, rather than hooting of owls. After the first couple of nights I always get used to the noise and sleep well.

Have you seen the film My Cousin Vinny? 

Vinny is disturbed by a very loud freight train sounding its horn passing near his motel at 5:00 am.

Vinny Gambini: Does that freight train come through here at 5:00 A.M. every morning?

Hotel Clerk: No, sir, it's very unusual.

Vinny Gambini: [the next day, after Vinny was awakened by the train] Yesterday you told me that freight train hardly ever comes through here at 5:00 A.M. in the morning.

Hotel Clerk: I know. She's supposed to come through at ten after 4:00.

TS_

I seem to be late this this forum question.

But i have also moved to near a DLR station and noise was louder than expected/experienced in viewings. I have been in contact with DLR managers about this and i have also updated the sound-proofing in my apartment.

None of my neighbours have changed anything so perhaps i am just a noise wimp ahah, but if you want any details then just let me know.

GaleSF63

TS_ said:

I seem to be late this this forum question.

But i have also moved to near a DLR station and noise was louder than expected/experienced in viewings. I have been in contact with DLR managers about this and i have also updated the sound-proofing in my apartment.

None of my neighbours have changed anything so perhaps i am just a noise wimp ahah, but if you want any details then just let me know.

Yes very late! But it would be nice to know if OP got any response from Tfl  - or if they got used to the noise  -or if they took any measures to block the noise.

Rony

HI yes! So an update.

I did send a message to TfL but they never got back to me. I didn't think to email the DLR managers rather tan generic TfL.

Anyhow, since then the DLR seems to be quieter, and I'm not sure if this is just me getting used to it! It doesn't really bother me much now. If anything it's the street racers that do more damage nowadays (if you see my other post :P) - even then, the polcie seem to be cracking down on them.

@TS_ What did you do to sound proof your place? I live in a leasehold flat and so I cannot change the windows unfortunately. The only other alternative is sound proof curtains perhaps but they cost a lot!


Thanks,