Which you think is the loudest multiple unit in the UK?

[Prestige15]

Can range from Class 101 to 8xx (DEMU and bi modes can be included)

Heres my pick

DMU: Class 180
DEMU: Voyagers
EMU: Class 374

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Not sure about the loudest in terms of engine or motor sound, but the horrendous screeching sound when the Class 800s brake has got to be up there.

 

[Chris Hamilton]

Class 334. Horrendously noisy, even when just sitting idle in a siding.

 

[alangla]

Class 253/254 DEMUs when they were fitted with Valentas surely?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

150s and 156s make a horrific racket

 

[4REP]

Class 155!

 

[Bayum]

Class 334. Horrendously noisy, even when just sitting idle in a siding.

In what way?

 

[Richard Scott]

Based on what I hear from my house 170s win hands down. Assume it's the hydrostatic fan drives? They're louder than anything else that goes past my house, locos included.

 

[gallafent]

In terms of “loudest inside, compared to what it replaced” (twisting the question I know) how about IET (replacing HST)? The latter was specified to (and met) 69dB interior noise level when cruising at 125mph (please, if someone can find this reference, do post it here — I'm sure I'm not going mad and remember reading it somewhere, or maybe hearing it in a documentary?) … whereas I've measured the former around 72dB (mostly air con, maybe also some other auxilliary electrical system noise) when stationary, and that's without all the wind noise at speed (I guess from all the random boxes and lack of streamlining on the roof).

Relating to commentary in a different thread, I wonder how the AT300s compare in terms of lineside noise with the Pendolini (which are very quiet) … is there somewhere that this can be measured already, with the two running at the same speed, or does it have to wait until Avanti have some AT300s?

 

[Fincra5]

I've always found an idle 350 (on AC) to be really loud!

 

[hst43102]

Do Paxman HSTs count as multiple units?

 

[mpthomson]

From my next to the ECML house just south of York, used to be the HSTs, then the 170s when they were around south of York, now probably 185s but they're all very similar.

 

[hexagon789]

DHMU/DMMU: 156 and I love them for it!
DEMU - Voyager, you can feel the throb across Central station when one of them pulls away
EMU - 318/320 with the windows open

 

[Parallel]

I’ve always found 220/221s and 165s/166s very noisy when they depart stations.

 

[XAM2175]

Do Paxman HSTs count as multiple units?

By the vehicle numbering standards, yes

 

[py_megapixel]

DHMU/DMMU: 156 and I love them for it!

I have to say, a 150 tends to sound louder to me. But I'm going to say a Network Turbo might actually be louder still.
I can't really understand the appeal in the sound of a Sprinter though. To me it's just a constant nasty rumble which makes it imposssible to have a journey in peace and quiet.

DEMU - Voyager, you can feel the throb across Central station when one of them pulls away

Definitely. You can hear (and recognise!) a the acceleration of a Voyager some distance from the railway.

 

[py_megapixel]

As for EMUs, probably a 319. The sound probably isn't actually that loud, but it really carries, so it feels noisy.
Not to mention the doors banging when you pass something at speed!

 

[fgwrich]

Based on what I hear from my house 170s win hands down. Assume it's the hydrostatic fan drives? They're louder than anything else that goes past my house, locos included.

I'd agree with that, as soon as you get a blocked radiator and those fans fire up, they're certainly a lot, lot noisier. I would also chuck CAF's excellent if a bit noisy 3000 Class / 3CK into the mix too. They have a MAN engine as their prime mover (the same can now be found on the 769s) but also have a smaller Auxiliary engine I believe made by Cummins.

 

[DannyMich2018]

EMR Class 222 units are very noisy both when idling and in motion the throb from the engine is piercing and even if one is a few platforms away you cannot hear your self or anyone!-Class 15x units have less powerful older engines so are much quieter both when idling and in motion. At Nuneaton I notice the LNWR Class 172s on the Leamington services are noisy too when idling, I noticed the noise a few weeks ago when I was on platform 6, it was on platform 1. Also regarding the EMR Class 222 the windows are always dirty on the outside with many misted up-hate these units with a passion!!!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

A 142 on the Wakefield curve (other tight bends are available).

 

[py_megapixel]

A 142 on the Wakefield curve (other tight bends are available).

Ah yes I'd forgotten about the infamous screech of the pacer.

Bonus points if your tight bend of choice is located near a major junction and you can feel every single bump as you rattle your way over the points. Then you come out with a sore back and sore ears!

 

[swt_passenger]

In terms of “loudest inside, compared to what it replaced” (twisting the question I know) how about IET (replacing HST)? The latter was specified to (and met) 69dB interior noise level when cruising at 125mph (please, if someone can find this reference, do post it here — I'm sure I'm not going mad and remember reading it somewhere, or maybe hearing it in a documentary?) … whereas I've measured the former around 72dB (mostly air con, maybe also some other auxilliary electrical system noise) when stationary, and that's without all the wind noise at speed (I guess from all the random boxes and lack of streamlining on the roof).

Relating to commentary in a different thread, I wonder how the AT300s compare in terms of lineside noise with the Pendolini (which are very quiet) … is there somewhere that this can be measured already, with the two running at the same speed, or does it have to wait until Avanti have some AT300s?

You need section 3.16 of the DfT train technical spec.

Noise levels are specified for a number of different frequencies:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/82840/tts-redacted.pdf

 

[py_megapixel]

Relating to commentary in a different thread, I wonder how the AT300s compare in terms of lineside noise with the Pendolini (which are very quiet) … is there somewhere that this can be measured already, with the two running at the same speed, or does it have to wait until Avanti have some AT300s?

Yes, Liverpool is served by TPE's AT300s and Avanti's Pendos. Not sure if they run fast enough there though.

 

[Richard Scott]

I'd agree with that, as soon as you get a blocked radiator and those fans fire up, they're certainly a lot, lot noisier. I would also chuck CAF's excellent if a bit noisy 3000 Class / 3CK into the mix too. They have a MAN engine as their prime mover (the same can now be found on the 769s) but also have a smaller Auxiliary engine I believe made by Cummins.

Oh yes, forgot about those. The Irish Rail CAF 29000 are the worst and certainly most irritatingly noisy DMU I've ever been on, awful things (nowhere near as well insulated at the NIR 3000s).

 

[delticdave]

I'd suggest 755/4's when accelerating & a few 755/3's with incredibly noisy cooling fans.

 

[Western 52]

The TfW class 175 units are very noisy passing my house, especially when pulling away from the station.

 

[ScotRail158725]

150/153/155/156/170/185 and 142 are all loud, no EMU is near as loud as a DMY

 

[221129]

Voyagers no doubt about it.

 

[Richard Scott]

Voyagers no doubt about it.

Depends whether inside or out, accelerating from rest or at speed. Guarantee at speed a 170 is loudest. Easily identifiable when they come past my house.

 

[CBlue]

156s and 153s, especially if the unit you're on is struggling to get into top gear...sounds like you're sitting above a washing machine full of ball bearings.

170s are quiet enough inside, but get a poorly one with all the cooling fans going and they're deafening outside....