Should we consider buying houses very very close to Train Tracks?

[BroglieBoy]

Hi All,

Need some guidance.

I came across this lovely property
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133629803#/?channel=RES_BUY on Rightmove and noticed that it is very close to the train tracks.

All Trains running through Wokingham train would pass through this track.
I wouldn't say it is a very busy train track but reasonably busy with trains running every 30 mins.

Is it okay to consider such properties or better to give it a pass as it is too close to the tracks?

1. Will it be too noisy?
2. Will the train movements cause vibrations and therefore issues for the properties such as cracks?
3. Future sellability for such properties?

What are your thoughts?

I already commented on this up thread but I found living near a school was a positive and would do it again. So much better than so many other things that could occupy that same space. Peaceful weekends, evenings and holidays for a start.

Thank you.

Depends how much cheaper the house is compared to equivalent ones without the train track?

It wouldn't bother me too much I don't think, but I like seeing trains pass by.

That house is really lovely. It wouldn't put me off and a friend recently moved next to a train line and it doesn't bother her at all. We are all bothered by different things though - I hate the sound of road noise so I avoid that (am used to none). Just depends what annoys you sound-wise.

Hello OP,

As a fellow local, I just wanted to let you know about the busy-ness of this line, as I think you said 'trains every 30 mins'.

This bit of track is on both (a) the North Downs line (Reading to Gatwick airport); and (b) Reading to Waterloo (it splits just south of Wokingham). There are two trains every hour for EACH line in ONE direction. So, trains 8 times an hour in both directions. There's one GWR timetable (T9) and one SWR timetable.

I'd find a way of testing it out and whether you can sleep through it (or need to shut the windows at night which can be too hot in summer). E.g. rent out a hotel room really near a train line somewhere comparable.

Good luck with the hunt (you're in a slightly different price bracket to be a direct competitor!)

Count Adhemar

My son used to work for network work rail administration and he said that houses very close to rail lines in their gardens etc sometimes get yearly payment from network rail in lieu of them requiring access I think its only a few hundred pounds but they give it in case they need to access the line for repairs and cause disruption such as needing works access - might be worth looking into

Exactly this.

Could you afford the same house with that size garden that wasn’t so close to the tracks?

As for resale- obviously you would price accordingly. It’s all relative- you buy it for cheaper/ sell it for cheaper

I think it should not affect sellability. As for living you will soon start tuning the sound out to the point you will not even notice when it happens. In a way the same as living on the Heathrow flight path where the planes are so noisy (but people living there don't notice it).

The house/garden are also large enough that it will be possible to double glaze everything and go to the far side of the property and not hear a thing.

It's not the main line to Waterloo. Just the suburban Reading to Gatwick. The main line is MUCH noisier eg near Hook or Fleet.

It is. See @CountAdhemar's post. They don't split until after Wokingham.

@Totalwasteofpaper , It's not on the market for £650K, it's on at £830K

@ChequeredPastel , the master bedroom (bed 2) is 2 rooms made into 1

@Chalatte , you only need to read this thread to see that it would put off a lot of buyers.

@BroglieBoy I've since noticed that photo 27 clearly shows a track speed limit of 60 and there is also what looks like a 'W' board (described in my post above) next to it, although I can't quite tell as the board is darkened.

@GEC44 Thanks for your input. it's helpful and very informative.
We will be visiting the property next week. I will check these in more detail.

Thanks all for your input. It is interesting to know such varying views on this topic. One thing is clear some people simply won't consider such properties and therefore the sellability is a big concern.

The train line seems to be a few meters above the level of the garden so the noise will be quite bad and passengers will get a clear view into your garden for quite a long way as it is next to the long side of the garden. A definite no from me, for any money.

No, pollution and noise would be a deal breaker for me.

I grew up in a house with a train line at the end of the back garden and can still sleep in the back bedroom and it doesn’t bother me at all. That said it’s a fairly low frequency passenger service and goods trains, it’s nothing like a main intercity route. But the slightest hint of road noise and I can’t sleep!