Rail Squeal

Rail squeal is a very loud and high-pitched noise that comes from trains when they go around corners. You know how when you draw a circle with a crayon on paper, it makes a squeaky sound? The same thing happens when trains go around a bend – their wheels rub against the rails and make a loud noise.

The reason why the noise is so loud is that the wheels and rails are made of metal and when they rub together, they create a lot of friction. This friction causes the metal to vibrate and produce the sound we hear as rail squeal.

Rail companies have come up with ways to reduce rail squeal by using special lubricants to reduce friction, putting sand on the tracks to improve traction, and even changing the shape of the wheels and tracks. But sometimes, rail squeal is just a normal part of train travel, and it's a sign that everything is working the way it should.