The noise of passing goods trains through the region is expected to decrease slightly. At least, that is what Infrastructure Minister Harbers writes in a letter to the House of Representatives. This is due to stricter rules for the brake pads of goods trains. Cast-iron ones will soon be banned. Plastic brake pads will become compulsory.
Noise from passing wagons is partly caused by cast-iron brake blocks, even if those trains are not braking at the time. The blocks press on the running surface of the wheels, leaving pits and scratches and causing noise when the train races over the steel rails. Goods trains are required to switch to plastic brake blocks from December 2024. That will soon save 8 to 12 decibels.
Quieter
The measure is part of new European policy to make tracks through inhabited areas quieter. The Brabant railway, which runs straight through Eindhoven, will be one of those ‘quieter routes’ in Europe, as of 8 December 2024. On routes of at least 20 kilometres long, with an average of more than 12 goods trains per night, only quiet goods trains may be used.
In the coming weeks, ProRail will be working hard on track maintenance in south-east Brabant.
Source:Studio040
Translated by: Shanthi Ramani
