I have heard the expression "singing rails" but I hadn't really considered what it meant. One part of my daily bike commute parallels a light rail line. The light rail cars are all electric and are fairly short and quite quiet. However, as one approaches, or after one has passed, the rails... sing.
Even if you can't see the train, you can hear the proximity of it. I assume it is a vibration travelling down the rails themselves. I would love to feel the rail after a train passes as well... but I spent a formative year in England when young and they showed all sorts of nightmare inducing horror films about playing/hanging out/being near active rail lines... so I shall just enjoy the singing as I ride to and from work.
In San Jose CA the light rail rights of way are de facto bikeways.
ReplyDeleteNo singing rails here -- the rail ballast sits on a bed of rubbery aggregate made from shredded car tires to attenuate the noise. People don't seem nearly as concerned about freeway noise, however, which continues unabated.
Interesting observation about highway noise vs rail noise. I find that very curious. I kind of like the singing rails, but then again, I don't live right next to singing rails.
ReplyDelete