"It's a bit bumpy around here..." announcement

[Jan Mayen]

So I'm on a train, in Southern England, where, in the space of ten minutes, the driver had advised us to take a seat while we go over some points, then just now, advised us it's a bit bumpy around here.

This is a line I've been commuting on for twenty years. I don't recall ever hearing such announcements before.

Has anyone else heard such announcements when travelling by train?

 

[Jimini]

A more specific location would be useful in order to provide feedback

 

[3rd rail land]

I'm wondering if you are referring to the approach to Farnborough from London on a stopping train.

I used to regularly travel to Farnborough and on approach to the station the stopper crosses over to the slow line. Only once did the guard warn passengers and advise people to be seated. It is only a very slight bump and provided you are holding onto a handrail there is no need to be seated.

 

[FrontSideBus]

They will be advising customers looking out of the window not to be startled as we are about to enter a tunnel next!

 

[The exile]

I note the time - maybe some unusual crossover moves that would catch out the unwary. My own train home yesterday was sent over a crossover to allow an express to pass - the crossover is just at the point regulars (including me) are getting up to get off and several undignified staggers were observed!

 

[SuspectUsual]

I’ve heard the occasional TPE conductor warn about the Batley bump

 

[King Lazy]

I was on a London Midland train from Milton Keynes to Watford Junction a few months ago that crossed from Slow to Fast. The guard made an announcement to tell us the train would be changing tracks and there may be a lurch.

Can’t remember where it was. Ledburn Jnc I think.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Aldershot North Junction is absolutely lethal, and as a guard it has knocked me over on multiple occasions. It has never crossed my mind to make an announcement warning about it though.

 

[Jan Mayen]

A more specific location would be useful in order to provide feedback

The two locations were south of Purley, crossing from the Down Fast to the Down Slow, then going south through Redhill on the through line at line speed.

 

[Jimini]

I was on a London Midland train from Milton Keynes to Watford Junction a few months ago that crossed from Slow to Fast. The guard made an announcement to tell us the train would be changing tracks and there may be a lurch.

Can’t remember where it was. Ledburn Jnc I think.

I've heard it there (Ledburn US > UF) a few times aye, on the Birmingham > Euston diagrams that run fast after Leighton Buzzard (one per hour runs non-stop; the other stops at Watford Jcn).

 

[Deepgreen]

The two locations were south of Purley, crossing from the Down Fast to the Down Slow, then going south through Redhill on the through line at line speed.

Ah, so not plain line but a crossover. That's not "bumpy" (his word not yours), that's lateral force, and if the train is running at or below the speed limit (70mph for that crossover) it should not cause undue problems. The Redhill one is odd, and if the track is so poor (the Reigate line crossings?) as to genuinely warrant a warning, it should be examined. Also interesting that you were passing through Redhill on the down fast - not many (any?) passenger workings are scheduled to do so - a diversion?

In days of yore, on the LU Metropolitan line, the Neasden area pointwork was notorious for rough riding with 'A' stock at the line speed (60mph I think) - I was always amazed we remained on the rails.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2025 ==

Aldershot North Junction is absolutely lethal, and as a guard it has knocked me over on multiple occasions. It has never crossed my mind to make an announcement warning about it though.

That is a concern - at the posted speed limit there should be no issue like that - was it reported?

 

[Jan Mayen]

This was a train which would usually use the Quarry Line, which was closed for maintenance.

 

[fandroid]

There's a very definite lurching spot for London-bound trains from the Winchester direction as they come off Battledown flyover on the approach to Basingstoke's platform 3. I don't know the exact layout there but I guess that historically it was designed for up trains from the Salisbury and West Country to get the smoother ride and that's never been altered. I've never heard any announcement, but if you are standing at that point it can be quite unbalancing.

 

[fgwrich]

There's a very definite lurching spot for London-bound trains from the Winchester direction as they come off Battledown flyover on the approach to Basingstoke's platform 3. I don't know the exact layout there but I guess that historically it was designed for up trains from the Salisbury and West Country to get the smoother ride and that's never been altered. I've never heard any announcement, but if you are standing at that point it can be quite unbalancing.

This was immediately my thoughts too. The lurch from the Up line over the flyover to the Up Fast is a more recent change when the layout at Battledown was changed approximately 10 or so years ago. Despite all the engineering work in the area, it still hasn’t been resolved.

(Photos showing the track layout at Worting Junction, Basingstoke)

 

[frankmoh]

The line between Sundridge Park and Grove Park is very bumpy

 

[edwin_m]

Ah, so not plain line but a crossover. That's not "bumpy" (his word not yours), that's lateral force, and if the train is running at or below the speed limit (70mph for that crossover) it should not cause undue problems. The Redhill one is odd, and if the track is so poor (the Reigate line crossings?) as to genuinely warrant a warning, it should be examined. Also interesting that you were passing through Redhill on the down fast - not many (any?) passenger workings are scheduled to do so - a diversion?

In days of yore, on the LU Metropolitan line, the Neasden area pointwork was notorious for rough riding with 'A' stock at the line speed (60mph I think) - I was always amazed we remained on the rails.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2025 ==


That is a concern - at the posted speed limit there should be no issue like that - was it reported?

Some fast crossovers can cause a significant lurch when taken at or near permitted speed. This can catch people unawares, particularly the second one in the opposite direction. The ones south of Chesterfield used by trains to and from the Erewash Valley are another example. I believe track standards allow for lateral acceleration to change more rapidly on switches than on transition curves on plain line.

While not strictly correct I guess "bumpy" is something most passengers will understand.

 

[Vexed]

There's a very definite lurching spot for London-bound trains from the Winchester direction as they come off Battledown flyover on the approach to Basingstoke's platform 3. I don't know the exact layout there but I guess that historically it was designed for up trains from the Salisbury and West Country to get the smoother ride and that's never been altered. I've never heard any announcement, but if you are standing at that point it can be quite unbalancing.

I've had an announcement around there when quite a few people were standing in the aisles due to serious disruption.

 

[Epic]

So is this the Drivers becoming frustrated with reporting the track and nothing seemingly being done about it?

 

[zero]

I was on a train that crossed from slow to fast between St Mary Cray and Bickley (I think - I can't find anywhere else it could have been on a track map) at a rather high speed and the sideways lurch led me to, more or less, punch another passenger. Fortunately he accepted that it was unintentional and caused by the train's movement.

 

[KNN]

I've never heard it either, but people often get caught out trying to stand up between Bournville and Kings Norton. It was especially bad before they replaced the 323s.

 

[NSEWonderer]

There is a stretch if track that feels like going over a Rollercoster on the Guilford via Cobham line. At one point it was so bad that there was an extensively long, Temporary speed restriction of 20mph.

Even with all the attempts to fix it, the track is still quite bumpy especially when caning it at 60mph which is still 10 below the linespeed there(If I remember correctly).

Seems fixed now but on the Elizabeth Line when heading to Canary Wharf after leaving Whitechapel, the train would take a sharp right turn and passengers often not holding on would be jolted enough for some to fall over.

I knew of a driver that would actually announce as they departed Whitechapel for people to hold on or be seated, I assume they had witnessed previously, people going flat faced in the train after that turn. Seems not as bad as before which I believe is down to the speed they're taking the turn now.

 

[TFN]

These announcements are useful for train staff who may not be expecting a sudden crossing.

The HEX drivers would make an announcement if there was a swap from Mains to/from Reliefs so staff could hold on while they’re still checking tickets.

 

[Wychwood93]

I recall some time in the 90's being up front on a CrossCountry service from Bournemouth to Newcastle - the 09.24 I think. At the time I was a Performance Manager, hence the up front bit, anyway, back then we were booked from the old platform 4 at Reading - a 2+7 HST and full beans, managing to get to 125 before Didcot East - where we slowed to about 60 (PSR 70), the driver said that he always does that as the 70 is a bit 'rough'. Off at New Street before a PNB and making 'our' way back. Happy times.

 

[lewisf]

Track quality and geometry is noticeably poor in the UK compared to our continental neighbours in my experience. I’m always amazed at how smooth trains feel when I’m in countries like Germany or Italy.

Having said that, I’ve seen some shockingly overgrown tracks in rural France and I can’t imagine they feel too good to ride over.

More on topic but further afield, on the Tokyo metro there’s automatic announcements in Japanese and English when the train is about to go over points or switch tracks.

 

[Horizon22]

The line between Sundridge Park and Grove Park is very bumpy

Not going very fast there though! It’s also quite old track.

 

[GoneSouth]

I recall some time in the 90's being up front on a CrossCountry service from Bournemouth to Newcastle - the 09.24 I think. At the time I was a Performance Manager, hence the up front bit, anyway, back then we were booked from the old platform 4 at Reading - a 2+7 HST and full beans, managing to get to 125 before Didcot East - where we slowed to about 60 (PSR 70), the driver said that he always does that as the 70 is a bit 'rough'. Off at New Street before a PNB and making 'our' way back. Happy times.

Passing Didcot is still rough now. Notice it more in the Hitachis than the much missed HSTs, but there’s an awful side to side fast shaking at what must be close to full speed. I genuinely think sometimes we are about to derail.

 

[Nammer]

I remember travelling towards London Waterloo in the 90s, having to hold on to my cup of tea, as we went over the points on the fast line at Weybridge!

 

[Jan Mayen]

I remember travelling towards London Waterloo in the 90s, having to hold on to my cup of tea, as we went over the points on the fast line at Weybridge!

Oh, to have a cup of tea to hold onto! I miss the buffets on Southern

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

That is a concern - at the posted speed limit there should be no issue like that - was it reported?

No, it wasn't reported. In all fairness, that particular junction has been like that for as long as I can remember - since even before I became a guard.

A bit further down the line, however, the stretch of track between Farnham and Alton is particularly bad (and is actually "bumpy" as opposed to just being lateral force from a crossover), with constant violent lurching chucking you all over the place. That's the one place I'm surprised the speed limit hasn't been lowered on.

There is a stretch if track that feels like going over a Rollercoster on the Guilford via Cobham line. At one point it was so bad that there was an extensively long, Temporary speed restriction of 20mph.

Even with all the attempts to fix it, the track is still quite bumpy especially when caning it at 60mph which is still 10 below the linespeed there(If I remember correctly).

The section between Effingham Junction and Cobham is particularly bad along there (although nowhere near as bad as the Alton Line). The track certainly does appear to look a bit "wobbly" at points if you're sitting watching out of the rear cab.

 

[LowLevel]

My "favourite" was always a longstanding fault through the crossing at Brooke Road outside Oakham on the up. On the usual stopping trains it was fine. On fast lightweight passengers doing 75 mph you'd slam into it so hard you'd lose drinks and be thrown from your seat.

Reported many times and many times came back "within tolerance".

Funnily enough it got relaid a little while back and is now perfectly smooth!