Constant late-running of Peterborough - Ipswich GA services of recent

stonojnr · 7 Oct 2026

presumably also the cause of the increasingly rough ride on the main line too ? though it doesnt appear to be affecting timing or speeds that Ive noticed.

its just I remember a period way back when the Turbostars from Liverpool street, which shows how long ago it was, there was a particular section of track between Chelmsford-Manningtree, where it was risky holding a cup of tea with the lid off, as you tended to end up wearing most of it as the ride was so rough and whilst the Mk3s could just about smooth out the bumps, the Turbostars couldnt.

and its beginning to feel alot like that old Turbostar experience again in sections on the line, and far more extended than it was, and the 745s had always been fairly good ime for ride quality certainly upto this year, though I must remember to stop sitting in the seats over the bogies, as thats certainly not helping the feel

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dk1 · 7 Oct 2026

The Ingatestone & Shenfield area was always my favourite when driving class 90s. The ride could be absolutely atrocious.

Catering members have been complaining recently about the issues along the GEML.

saismee · 7 Oct 2026

I felt the suspension bottom out with a big thud near Diss yesterday. Not the most comfortable experience but not as terrible as the Fen Line.

dk1 · 7 Oct 2026

saismee said:
I felt the suspension bottom out with a big thud near Diss yesterday. Not the most comfortable experience but not as terrible as the Fen Line.

There was an amazing ‘kick’ from the track just south of Diss/Palgrave where the new overhead structures were installed for many years. Was worst as the leading bogie of the DVT passed over.

saismee · 7 Oct 2026

dk1 said:
There was an amazing ‘kick’ from the track just south of Diss/Palgrave where the new overhead structures were installed for many years. Was worst as the leading bogie of the DVT passed over.

I bet you braced for it every time!

dk1 · 7 Oct 2026

saismee said:
I bet you braced for it every time!

Oh definitely yeah. You could see the kink up ahead at 100mph and it was reported many times but RT/NR dismissed it so it just carried on until they strengthened the embankment years later. At least you knew where you were at night or during fog/falling snow.

HChip · 7 Oct 2026

On the Down Main out of Ipswich towards Norwich a few months ago, you’d get a thud slightly before and slightly after the freight lines join on the curve.

Sleepy · 7 Oct 2026

The track between Peterborough and March seems very rough riding currently (this was on a class 170). I assume speed restrictions are in place ?

dk1 · 7 Oct 2026

Sleepy said:
The track between Peterborough and March seems very rough riding currently (this was on a class 170). I assume speed restrictions are in place ?

Yes there are. You’ll find most trains are running late into Ely and Peterborough on this route and have been for many weeks now. It does however seem to be improving slightly.

GarethC · 7 Oct 2026

stonojnr said:
presumably also the cause of the increasingly rough ride on the main line too ? though it doesnt appear to be affecting timing or speeds that Ive noticed.

This is also noticeable on the road network, the A12 (which runs parallel to the railway line in places) is showing significant signs of settlement on the embankment sections between Colchester and Chelmsford. Various stretches have temporary speed restrictions too.

I've not noticed it too much on the train though (maybe in the middle of the coaches it is less noticeable).

Canary73 · 7 Oct 2026

Its been particularly bad between Ingatestone and Shenfield and between Brentwood and Harold Wood especially in the last few days. I expected its been reported today hence the restrictions although GA's website didnt record both locations with the speed restrictions and track inspections. The location beyond Brentwood had been bad for a few years now.

dk1 · 7 Oct 2026

Canary73 said:
Its been particularly bad between Ingatestone and Shenfield and between Brentwood and Harold Wood especially in the last few days. I expected its been reported today hence the restrictions although GA's website didnt record both locations with the speed restrictions and track inspections. The location beyond Brentwood had been bad for a few years now.

The stretch between Harold Wood & Brentwood is always going to suffer long periods of 20mph operation.

D365 · 9 Oct 2026

45Fox said:
Agreed that terminating trains early to restart their return services on time can be a sensible thing, especially where alternative services exist.

In the case of EMR services to Norwich, this may be impractical if being worked by a Norwich crew on their way home.

I understand that EMR still have a small traincrew depot at Norwich that crew some of these services.

Hard to palate when two Stansted terminators in a row are turned back at Cambridge, though.

dk1 · 9 Oct 2026

D365 said:
Hard to palate when two Stansted terminators in a row are turned back at Cambridge, though.

Operationally it’s the best thing to do. It has to be looked at with units and crew to see what best suits and recovers the service.

D365 · 9 Oct 2026

dk1 said:
Operationally it’s the best thing to do. It has to be looked at with units and crew to see what best suits and recovers the service.

I agree; it’s just unfortunate happenstance given the nature of the end destination.

Can you tell I’ve been bitten recently?

ac6000cw · 10 Oct 2026

Northbound between Waterbeach and Ely has been really rough this past week - lots of lurching and wallowing on the Electrostars I've been on. The southbound track looks to have been re-ballasted recently (and is a much smoother ride), and there's been a Stoneblower machine parked in the sidings at Ely this week, so hopefully it'll get some attention soon.

dk1 · 10 Oct 2026

D365 said:
I agree; it’s just unfortunate happenstance given the nature of the end destination.

Can you tell I’ve been bitten recently?

Yes, there was a hint of resentment :lol:

LAX54 · 10 Oct 2026

berwicksfinest said:
Easy Now.

Yesterday on 4L45, I managed Peterborough to Felixstowe 6 late at Peterborough and Trimley 7 early, So actually I would say although the TSRs are in place they don't affect the freight as much as the passengers, plus signallers giving decent regulating it shows it is possible to run freight efficiently !!!

You can normally rely on Colchester to try and give a good run

berwicksfinest · 10 Oct 2026

LAX54 said:
You can normally rely on Colchester to try and give a good run

Actually I will say Colchester ain't a bad box to deal with !! :lol:

LAX54 · Sunday at 15:34

berwicksfinest said:
Actually I will say Colchester ain't a bad box to deal with !!

When I was SSM, tried to run stuff where I could

berwicksfinest · Sunday at 16:17

Fair play to you us old school DB do know how to use notch 8

Constant late-running of Peterborough - Ipswich GA services of recent

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