‘Temporary’ train solution turns into a nightmare for locals

One of the NGR trains that have mould problems with the AC units.

by Janine Hill

A temporary solution to mould and odour issues in Queensland’s new trains appears to have become a permanent one to the detriment of Woombye residents who like a quiet night.

In 2020, the then-Queensland Rail boss said train air-conditioners were running 24/7 as a temporary way to address mould and odour in next generation rollingstock.

Three years later, Woombye residents are still listening to the noise of train air-conditioners from the rail stabling yards all night.

James Kasmer, who lives a good 100m, if not more, from the rail stabling yards, said the noise could be heard most nights.

“It’s similar to the noise of a prop plane sitting on the tarmac,” he said.

He said the noise was quite noticeable given the otherwise low or non-existent level of noise in town.

“Woombye’s quite a quiet place at night,” he said.

James said QR had tried to accommodate the needs of residents by turning off the rail stable lights at night and minimising the use of klaxon signals early in the morning so he could not fathom why the air-conditioning was being left on all night.

He has written to the current QR CEO Kat Stapleton and next generation rollingstock executive about the issue but said they had not responded.

The Gazette submitted questions to QR about whether mould continued to be an issue on the trains and why the air-conditioners were being left on most nights. QR, which looks after the rail stable, forwarded the enquiry to Transport and Main Roads, which owns the trains and the Translink division supplied the following statement, attributed to a spokesman.

“Several years ago commuters complained of odour issues in some NGR trains. This issue was found to be caused by humidity in the trains while they were being stabled,” the statement said.

“As an interim solution, air-conditioning was run on NGR trains while being stabled to reduce humidity.

“A permanent solution was subsequently implemented for the fleet’s stabling mode.

“This mode provides optimal air-conditioning settings to reduce humidity while also being energy efficient.

“TMR has not received any co plaints regarding the odour issue since the implementation of this solution.

“Following noise complaints from neighbours, Queensland Rail commissioned independent consultants to conduct noise testing at residences to the east of the Woombye stabling yard.

“It found that operation of the stabling yard, including the NGR air-conditioning systems, was not a dominant noise source in the local environment and was around normal ambient levels.”