ECML Bouncy Ride

[guilbert]

Hi,

I've noticed a couple of fairly rough spots on the ECML up fast line recently:

1) London end of Potters Bar Station
2) About half way between Oakleigh Park and New Southgate - by North London Business Park.

I first noticed them on a 387 where they're both bad enough to spill coffee out of a half full cup but it was pretty bad even on a 365 today.

Any thoughts on what the cause might be? The first one is presumably the points at Potters Bar but I don't think there are any in the vicinity of the second one. How bad does it have to be before a) NR will investigate / repair if necessary b) it becomes a safety issue? I presume (hope!) either the NMT or a driver would have flagged it up if it were actually dangerous..?

 

[bramling]

Hi,

I've noticed a couple of fairly rough spots on the ECML up fast line recently:

1) London end of Potters Bar Station
2) About half way between Oakleigh Park and New Southgate - by North London Business Park.

I first noticed them on a 387 where they're both bad enough to spill coffee out of a half full cup but it was pretty bad even on a 365 today.

Any thoughts on what the cause might be? The first one is presumably the points at Potters Bar but I don't think there are any in the vicinity of the second one. How bad does it have to be before a) NR will investigate / repair if necessary b) it becomes a safety issue? I presume (hope!) either the NMT or a driver would have flagged it up if it were actually dangerous..?

The answer is it's impossible to tell for sure without the track being inspected by an engineer. A jolt can be caused by a range of factors, ranging from issues with the trackbed (be it ground or ballast), or in the worst case a broken rail. A very rough ride may be uncomfortable but not unsafe, but likewise defects don't always cause a rough ride. The best guide is report if you experience something which feels or sounds unusual, especially if not normally an issue at that particular location. It does no harm to report and be on the safe side, so if you feel the issues you experienced are out of character for the area then by all means let NR know.

 

[PHILIPE]

Perhaps the OP should ride on a Pacer over jointed track and make a comparison

 

[guilbert]

Perhaps the OP should ride on a Pacer over jointed track and make a comparison

I'll pass on that thanks!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Or a Mk4. They ride like a cart.

 

[rebmcr]

Did you notice any trampolines?

 

[Failed Unit]

I have noticed it since the 387s were introduced. No where near as bad on a 317.

I guess it can't be that bad as the drivers will report track defects. Actually you can't really tell on a mk4

 

[PeterY]

I had a ride to Newcastle and back to Kings Cross using an advance ticket, from Virgins Black Friday sale.

Lovely smooth ride going up but coming back being pushed by the 92, it certainly felt a lot rougher.

 

[Ploughman]

Would have thought that the track recorder would have picked up any problem.
Anything serious and a short notice tamping session would be planned in.

 

[kevconnor]

Perhaps the OP should ride on a Pacer over jointed track and make a comparison

I'm not hunting out any masochistic experiences but is there any jointed track remaining in Northern land where Pacers travel over?

 

[Timrud]

Just outside Barnsley in the direction of Wakefield

 

[bramling]

I'm not hunting out any masochistic experiences but is there any jointed track remaining in Northern land where Pacers travel over?

Settle Jn to Carnforth certainly was almost all jointed when I went over it a couple of years ago on a 142. Lovely!

 

[QueensCurve]

I'm not hunting out any masochistic experiences but is there any jointed track remaining in Northern land where Pacers travel over?

Plenty on the Cumbrian Coast. The worst seems to be just leaving Carlisle.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Or a Mk4. They ride like a cart.

This. Of course the speed is higher so I'm not comparing like with like, but I find that on CWR, mk4s are far rougher at 100mph than a 142 even at 75mph.

 

[tellytype]

Always been noticably rough around these parts on the ECML at last since I can remember. There have been a few times I've lost coffee to it as well & wondered how unsafe it might be.

 

[Hartington]

There's a definite dip on the up line at Castle Cary. Watch an HST pass through at speed from the car park and you'll see it.

Apparently it's been there for "years" according to one long-term staff member. Every so often a tamper does its' "thing" but it's never a permanent fix. I believe it's a "wet spot".