Sir, - We all love to reminisce about steam trains and indeed should preserve these wonderful examples of engineering, but at what cost?

A train whistle or train horn can, if sounded repeatedly, become a great source of irritation and noise. People generally do understand why whistle/horns are important, but believe that the health and quality of life impacts from the whistle/horns are grossly disproportionate to any health and safety benefits.

Train horns/whistles are part of the rail industry's arrangements for safety, what are the effects of noise exposure from these whistles?

Noise acts very much like other stressors and can bring about heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, mouth dryness, rises in blood cholesterol levels and excessive secretion of hormones.

If the noise exposure is sustained over a period of time, these cited stress reactions can bring about high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, or insomnia.

The residents living with these train horns/whistles share with so many others similarly inflicted the pain and discomfort from intrusive noises that have robbed them of their right to use their homes in the manner to which they are entitled.

They also share with so many others exposed to unwanted noises the anger and distress of being robbed of a decent quality of life. They, like these others, also fear that if the noises continue, they may suffer greater physical and psychological harm.

This fear is real in light of the growing numbers of studies warning people about the hazards of noise to health. In our opinion, these residents are reasonable to demand that their peace and quiet be restored.

To do otherwise is to subject them to stress, unhappiness, a diminished quality of life, and potential adverse health effects.

It is unthinkable that an agency such as the Wensleydale Railway, would inflict sounds that are "noisier than required"

on residents living near the railroad without carefully researching the impacts on residents.

Does it have to sound the whistle/ horn so close to Mr Borman, is there a whistle board making this compulsory, what dangers are there at this location?

We are surprised to read the whistle/horn is sounded when leaving the station. Is this just to get passengers excited as the modern trains have stopped this unnecessary practice. It also says it is sounded when people maybe on the track.

How can they get onto the track? This should be prevented.

We would suggest the railway rethinks why it sounds this whistle at this location and carry out a risk assessment to prove the whistle is actually needed. If not stop and sound it away from residents close by.

PETER WAKEMAN Noise Abatement Society, Brighton.