NoiseCheck.uk

Railway Noise

Railway noise affects communities along mainline routes across the UK. Here are the major railway lines and the postcode districts they pass through.

🚂 West Coast Main Line

23 postcodes affected · 48-58 dB range

NW1 53 dB HA1 58 dB HA2 53 dB HA3 57 dB WD17 56 dB WD18 51 dB HP1 48 dB HP2 52 dB HP3 58 dB MK1 51 dB MK2 54 dB NN1 51 dB CV1 48 dB B1 53 dB WS11 53 dB ST5 53 dB CW1 50 dB WA2 56 dB WN1 58 dB PR1 53 dB LA1 53 dB CA1 20 dB CA3 20 dB

🚂 East Coast Main Line

25 postcodes affected · 48-58 dB range

N1 55 dB N4 58 dB N7 53 dB N10 58 dB N11 53 dB N14 56 dB EN1 55 dB EN2 48 dB EN4 58 dB EN5 51 dB SG1 58 dB SG2 51 dB SG13 52 dB SG14 56 dB PE1 54 dB PE7 51 dB NG2 54 dB DN1 58 dB DN2 53 dB YO1 50 dB YO10 55 dB YO30 50 dB DL1 20 dB DH1 57 dB NE1 53 dB

🚂 Great Western Main Line

11 postcodes affected · 48-55 dB range

W2 55 dB W11 54 dB UB7 51 dB SL1 53 dB SL6 50 dB RG1 55 dB SN1 55 dB BS1 51 dB NP20 53 dB CF10 55 dB SA1 50 dB

🚂 HS1 / Channel Tunnel Rail Link

18 postcodes affected · 50-60 dB range

SE1 60 dB SE16 58 dB DA1 56 dB DA2 55 dB DA9 60 dB DA10 60 dB DA11 59 dB DA12 56 dB DA13 55 dB ME1 55 dB ME2 52 dB ME3 51 dB ME4 59 dB ME5 56 dB ME7 52 dB CT1 60 dB CT2 59 dB CT17 51 dB

🚂 Elizabeth Line / Crossrail

21 postcodes affected · 45-55 dB range

W2 55 dB E1 52 dB E7 49 dB E12 52 dB E13 50 dB E15 51 dB E16 55 dB IG1 48 dB IG2 46 dB IG7 45 dB IG8 54 dB RM1 53 dB RM5 45 dB RM6 52 dB RM7 52 dB RM8 48 dB RM9 46 dB RM10 55 dB RM11 53 dB RM12 49 dB RM13 47 dB

🚂 Brighton Main Line

12 postcodes affected · 48-56 dB range

SW11 49 dB SW12 53 dB SW16 56 dB CR0 55 dB CR5 53 dB SM2 51 dB SM5 50 dB RH1 48 dB RH2 50 dB BN1 56 dB BN2 51 dB BN3 53 dB

🚂 Midland Main Line

17 postcodes affected · 48-56 dB range

NW1 53 dB NW5 49 dB N7 53 dB N19 49 dB AL1 51 dB AL3 49 dB MK1 51 dB MK2 54 dB NN2 49 dB LE1 51 dB LE2 50 dB DE1 52 dB DE21 50 dB NG1 55 dB NG2 54 dB S1 48 dB S2 56 dB

🚂 East Anglia Main Line

18 postcodes affected · 45-53 dB range

E1 52 dB E2 49 dB E7 49 dB E15 51 dB IG1 48 dB IG3 47 dB RM6 52 dB RM7 52 dB CM1 50 dB CM2 52 dB CO1 46 dB CO2 46 dB CO3 46 dB IP1 46 dB IP2 46 dB NR1 51 dB NR2 51 dB NR3 51 dB

🚂 Trans-Pennine

13 postcodes affected · 48-56 dB range

M1 54 dB M2 48 dB M3 53 dB M4 56 dB OL1 53 dB OL2 49 dB HD1 50 dB HD2 55 dB LS1 51 dB LS2 54 dB YO1 50 dB HU1 49 dB HU2 54 dB

🚂 South Western Main Line

17 postcodes affected · 46-54 dB range

SW8 49 dB SW11 49 dB SW18 48 dB SW19 51 dB KT1 48 dB KT2 49 dB GU1 50 dB GU9 46 dB GU10 51 dB SO50 48 dB SO51 49 dB SO14 47 dB SO15 48 dB SO16 51 dB BH1 47 dB BH2 50 dB DT1 20 dB

How Loud Is Noise From Trains?

Noise from trains at trackside peaks at around 80-90 dB as each train passes, then drops back between services. The dB ranges shown for each line above are annual averages for the affected postcode districts, which is why they are much lower than the peak figures. How intrusive train noise feels depends on how often services run, whether freight uses the line at night, and how close your home is to the track. Look up your postcode district above to see the rail noise figure where you live, or compare it against the decibel guide to understand what the numbers mean in practice.

Types of Railway Noise

Railway noise comes in several forms: wheel-on-rail noise from passing trains, warning horns at level crossings, station announcements, and track maintenance (especially night-time tamping and grinding operations). Freight trains running at night are a particular concern for residents, as they generate more noise due to heavier loads and older rolling stock.

How Railway Noise Differs From Road Noise

Unlike continuous road noise, railway noise is intermittent: trains pass for 10-30 seconds with quieter periods in between. However, the peak noise level during a train pass can be 80-90 dB at trackside, much louder than typical road traffic. People also tend to find railway noise less annoying than road noise at the same average level, partly because it is intermittent and predictable.

For soundproofing advice, see our complete guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How loud is a passing train?

Peak noise during a train pass is typically 80-90 dB at trackside, louder than most road traffic. Each pass lasts around 10-30 seconds, with quieter periods in between, so railway noise is intermittent rather than continuous.

Why are freight trains louder than passenger trains?

Freight trains carry heavier loads and often use older rolling stock, which generates more wheel-on-rail noise. Many freight services also run at night, when background noise is lower and sleep disturbance is more likely, so they are a particular concern for lineside residents.

Who do I complain to about railway noise?

Network Rail handles complaints about infrastructure and maintenance noise, such as night-time tamping and grinding works, while your local council deals with noise that may count as a statutory nuisance. Our noise complaints guide explains both routes.

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