Skip to main content
Living by the rail network
Information for people living next to the railway, including property boundaries, fencing,
info
Questions?
Contact us（https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/contact-us/）
Noise and vibration
Transport operations (whether by rail, road or air) inevitably create noise.
What to expect and what to do if it’s affecting you.
The daily running of the rail network generates a certain amount of noise and vibration.
Our maintenance and improvement work on the rail network can also generate noise.
Noise will vary depending on circumstances including how close you are to the rail network, the presence of noise insulating material, ground conditions and other sources of noise in the area.
We work hard to reduce noise, but a certain level is unavoidable.
Common sources of noise
Vibration
If you are concerned that trains running near your property are causing structural damage, we recommend you provide us with a report from an independent surveyor.
If the report indicates that KiwiRail’s operations are causing vibration and damage, we will investigate.
Friction
Friction can cause a train entering or leaving a curve on the track or passing over a joint in the rail to make a high-pitched ‘whine’.
This can be affected by a range of factors including track formation, rail condition, and weather.
The noise is produced by contact between the metal train wheel and the top or side of the metal rail.
Train brakes can create a similar squealing sound from contact between brake pads and brake disks.
A level of friction is necessary for trains to operate effectively and to brake in a safe and controlled way, so some noise can always be expected.
KiwiRail works with Auckland Transport in Auckland and Metlink in Wellington to monitor friction and methods to minimise associated noise, where practicable. This includes track and wheel lubricators.
Train horns
We need to provide safety warnings to people who are on or near the tracks.
Horns are a vital safety feature for trains that run on our network.
Yard and depot operation
There can be noise associated with loading and moving wagons in our freight yards and depots.
Our yards can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We run trains and move goods to meet our customers’ requirements to move freight around New Zealand.
KiwiRail is required to comply with any noise conditions included in designations that authorise yard operations.
Level crossings
Noise from a level crossing can be caused by vehicles crossing it.
Although we can sometimes reduce noise by making the crossing surface smoother, it can rarely be eliminated completely.
Noise is also generated by some of the safety alarm systems installed at level crossings.
Warning bells are an essential safety device and warn people that a train is approaching.
T rees and vegetation
KiwiRail maintains vegetation on railway land to an industrial standard, with limited budget.
To manage vegetation effectively, we prioritise and schedule work carefully.
KiwiRail's top priority is dealing with vegetation on rail land that is a risk to safe rail operations and/ or poses a risk to members of the public.
If there is vegetation on our land that is dangerous, please let us know immediately: 0800 808 400 (emergency).
Property owners are responsible for managing vegetation on their land and ensuring it does not encroach on the rail corridor.
If you have concerns about vegetation on KiwiRail land, pleasecontact us.（https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/contact-us/）
Essential maintenance
Our teams work around the clock seven days a week making sure the track and other infrastructure are well maintained so train services can operate safely. And as services continue to increase, so will the amount of maintenance needed to keep trains running safely.
If you use the trains
We understand that any track closures or journey delays are frustrating. We are working to minimise overall disruption for passengers and for those who live and work alongside the rail corridor.
To keep our teams safe, much of our work must be done when no trains are running. We work closely with Auckland Transport to plan maintenance activities. We do our best to close the network at times when fewer people are travelling – eg, overnight, at weekends and public holidays. However, there are times when it makes more sense to close the track for an extended period, as it allows far greater productivity for KiwiRail's work teams and minimises the overall disruption.