Railway lines

[sammd]

Do trains give out similar exhaust fumes to cars? And if so, is living next to a railway line the same as living next to a main road in terms of health risks?

[whiffey]

I LOVE trains, oh to live next to a railway line, preferably a major express route. Far less pollution than a major road and loads of lovely locos to admire.

[sammd]

How can you tell if a train is diesel or electric? Although i assume most trains run off electric in the UK, they still seem to give something out the big noisy air vents in the front carriage....?

[Toureman]

Hi sammd,

Does the line near you have overhead cables? If it has and the train has an overhead frame that is touching the cables then it is purely driven by electricity, no pollution..

Other trains are driven buy electricity but the have a diesel engine on board which produces the electricity to drive the train, it is this diesel engine which produces the fumes and also makes a throbbing sound.

Other noises you could be hearing are cooling fans for the electric motors.

[Electrochem]

There are basically two types of BR electric trains. Some run on an overhead supply and some run on a third rail system. The third rail system is predominantly used in the south and south east of the country, while the overhead system is more likely to be seen north of London.

Trains out of Paddington to the West Country are diesel.

I don't know how much pollution diesel trains give out, but it would be considerabl more than a large wagon.

[sammd]

Thanks for all the info guys!

[Gef]

Sorry toureman but electric trains produce lots of pollution - at the power station where the electricity is produced.

[Toureman]

Don,t be silly GEF!

sammd was asking about pollution caused by a train next to her house not next to a power station.

I know all electricity causes pollution where it is genarated, thats why I don't like electric cars, they are hyped out of all proportion.

[Gef]

Sorry Toureman, I misread your answer.