RE: Looking Back... Tasmain 1974: Part 5/Noise

[Bruce Bellingham <bruce.bellingham@clear.net.nz>]

Aus loco discussion mailing list

Hi all

The noise of the Dq locos has also been an issue in New Zealand, and at 
one time they were banned from running as lead loco because of cab noise 
and vibration. I believe that this is still be the case, but I haven't 
had a chance to confirm.
The Dq's were a rush rebuild of the QR locos, with the front end cut down 
to allow one man operation. With no dynamic brake in the front hood, this 
was a relatively quick and cheap exercise to get the locos in to service 
as quickly as possible.
Noise has been an issue for many years with the GM locos in New Zealand, 
and when the Db class (GM G8) were introduced in 1965 they rapidly gained 
a reputation for excessive noise. By the mid 1970's the Health Dept had 
mandated the use of hearing protection on them, and this stayed until 
they were rebuilt in the early 80's. Even today the Dc class (Clyde 
rebuilds of the Da/G12 class) are regarded as noisy, despite extensive 
cab work during rebuilding to isolate the cab from the frame, and the 
drivers usually wear earmuffs on them. when out on the main line.

My experience with these, as well as the preserved steam locos, has been 
that the hearing protection does not generally dampen out other noise, 
but allows conversation and alarms/radio, etc to be more clearly noticed 
over the normal loco noise. I have recently carried out some noise checks 
on one of the preserved steam locos, and the results of this certainly 
showed the need for hearing protection - noise levels in excess of 92 
dBA, and peaking at 122 dBA are well over normal tolerance levels, even 
for short term exposure.

Just my $0.02+GST on this  - what has been the experience in the Western 
Island of NZ??

Cheers 
Bruce


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