In last week’s column, I mentioned how I discovered the city’s biggest screech.
The tire shop at 2050 Stillwell Avenue off the corner of 26th Avenue has the most irritating horrendous screech I’ve heard in 30 years.Why?Because apparently the Transit Authority is returning to a deferred maintenance policy, a policy that is self defeating, noisy and stupid%u2026not to mention that it is also dangerous and harmful to the system as well as its riders.
Well with that column the Screechers have picked up the gauntlet and will again battle the Big Screech surrounding Stillwell and 26th Avenue.Why?Because in this time of economic disaster, it is criminal to allow deterioration of our fading transit system, because of inept management. That is new rail work that is being systematically destroyed with each passing train.And sending stock letters with explanations such as this does not solve the problem, actions will. e.g. “%u2026all subway cars are routinely inspected and tested for defects that may result in excessive noise.The brake shoes on our subway cars are regularly examined during inspections and changed if necessary at the time. When train brakes are applied, the wheel-brakes’ interaction causes the plate to vibrate, producing a squealing sound. This noise is commonly generated by a single car in the train during the application of the brakes.There may also be some noise due to wheel-rail interaction during the braking process.”
HELLO!Doesn’t the NYC Transit know about RING DAMPED WHEELS?Used on the London system for forty years, even before the Screechers learned of them thirty years ago.And they were manufactured right here in Brooklyn by a firm whose offices were down the block from 370 Jay Street.The Big Screechers were credited for the Transit Authority finally putting them on our system.
What about the NY State Noise Control Act of 1972? Didn’t it require ring damped wheels on all new cars and new wheels? Did NYCT stop buying them?
Now you know that noise is my primary concern, but in this situation, according to the inspectors NYC Transit sent to investigate, the absence of functioning track lubricators at that location is ruining the new rail just installed.This was told to me by Mr. Gellman, who owns the tire shop that’s been complaining of the unbearable screeching.Assemblyman William Colton said in a letter to NYC Transit President “I have personally visited the area and my ears are still hurting. Wow, how can the MTA permit such noise to exist?I would like to meet with you and your engineers at the site to see what can be done.”
My wife Sharon, who is a member of the NYC Transit Riders Council, presented our complaint to Tom Pendergast at MTA Headquarters last week. Sharon was with me when we were buying a tire from Mr. Gellman and in between the horrendous screeching; we managed to get all this information.Mr. Gellman fears he is going deaf with the screeching and I hope NYC Transit can get it stopped before he does.2010 will be a happy and healthy New Year for Mr. Gellman, his employees and his neighbors if the MTA quiets the Biggest Screech in the city of New York. Until then we will continue screeching. To be continued.Let me wish you all and yours a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
Screech at you next year!
