I was driving on rue Bridge last week and went under the REM overpass. Even in the car, with the windows closed and the radio on, I jumped when I heard this WHOOOOSSHHHH noise that sounded like a wind storm coming at me. It was a REM train passing overhead.
Unlike old heavy trains that make a deep rumbling sound, the REM is a higher pitched sound like some kind of wind machine. NOT NICE.
I’ve been trying to make this exact point to friends. It’s not so much the volume for me, it’s that an entirely new type of racket has been added to the cacophony of the city.
I was biking around the test track last night and the REM train passed overhead twice. Silent it was not. As Blork mentioned, it’s a different kind of noise I suppose we will get used to it?
If the REM replaces 10,000 cars, you have to compare its noise level to… 10,000 cars.
As a resident of downtown, cars parking and unparking create insanity-inducing levels of high pitched horn noises, not to mention the constant honking at green lights to force the first car “to go!”
It will eliminate 10k cars only when there is regular, reliable service for commuters. Even the buses don’t come on time or go where they are needed. West of Dorval the REM is actually worse at it jogs north of the 40 and doesn’t even go as far west as the current, albeit ridiculously infrequent trains.
It’s like those “this bus = 50 cars” signs… on empty buses.
Blork 11:21 on 2023-06-29 Permalink
I was driving on rue Bridge last week and went under the REM overpass. Even in the car, with the windows closed and the radio on, I jumped when I heard this WHOOOOSSHHHH noise that sounded like a wind storm coming at me. It was a REM train passing overhead.
Unlike old heavy trains that make a deep rumbling sound, the REM is a higher pitched sound like some kind of wind machine. NOT NICE.
Daniel 12:09 on 2023-06-29 Permalink
I’ve been trying to make this exact point to friends. It’s not so much the volume for me, it’s that an entirely new type of racket has been added to the cacophony of the city.
dhomas 12:26 on 2023-06-29 Permalink
I was biking around the test track last night and the REM train passed overhead twice. Silent it was not. As Blork mentioned, it’s a different kind of noise I suppose we will get used to it?
bumper carz 13:41 on 2023-06-29 Permalink
If the REM replaces 10,000 cars, you have to compare its noise level to… 10,000 cars.
As a resident of downtown, cars parking and unparking create insanity-inducing levels of high pitched horn noises, not to mention the constant honking at green lights to force the first car “to go!”
Quieter option: REM
Ephraim 15:42 on 2023-06-29 Permalink
It will only replace 10K cars if we eliminate 10K parking spaces
Ian 17:24 on 2023-06-29 Permalink
It will eliminate 10k cars only when there is regular, reliable service for commuters. Even the buses don’t come on time or go where they are needed. West of Dorval the REM is actually worse at it jogs north of the 40 and doesn’t even go as far west as the current, albeit ridiculously infrequent trains.
It’s like those “this bus = 50 cars” signs… on empty buses.