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

[satisnek]

Years ago there was a very nasty lateral jolt on departing Worcester Shrub Hill towards Tunnel Junction. I noticed it twice on consecutive Saturday evenings (or possibly a fortnight apart), having forgotten about it on the second occasion. Being dark I couldn't ascertain the exact location, but it may have been the crossover used when departing from Platform 2. Thankfully, the next time I used that route it had been fixed.

 

[NSEWonderer]

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.

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.

Haven't signed alton. Must be pretty bad if the Effingham junction to Cobham bit isn't as bad in comparison

 

[boiledbeans2]

[...]
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.
[...]

The Met line is still rough compared to the Chiltern lines right next to it. On the S stock, there's a lot of swaying left and right, with constant clackety-clack rail sound. In comparison, the Turbos on the Chiltern are very smooth, with minimal clackety-clack.

 

[pompeyfan]

I’ve heard a similar announcement between Haslemere and Witley, where it’s also quite unpleasant, and the trolly staff also refused to serve along that bit in the past.

Isn’t Worthing Jn in the up one of the fastest set of points in the country? Or have I made that up?

 

[Western 52]

Everywhere is bumpy on a TfW 197....maybe a standard announcement that plays regularly is needed!

 

[304033]

Anyone remember the old LU A-Stock when going over the points at Neasden?
Bags falling from the overhead luggage racks, people falling off seats, tourists looking shocked.
Great memories!

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

Isn’t Worting [corrected] Jn in the up one of the fastest set of points in the country? Or have I made that up?

Third rail wise, yes! (444s have derogations to run at 100mph, if that’s still in effect?)

There are some 125mph points about.
Rugby North and Colton Jct are two I can name off the top my head.
Nearly all the crossovers on HS1 are 160km/h (approx. 100mph) in comparison!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Aug 2025 ==

Didcot East gets mentioned quite often on GW and XC.
70mph set of points from the Down Main to Down Didcot Avoider is deadly!

 

[800001]

Everywhere is bumpy on a TfW 197....maybe a standard announcement that plays regularly is needed!

Really? Always found them a pleasant ride when ever I've rode them.
A bit bumpy in places, same as you get on any train.

 

[WAB]

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.

Worse still when the driver was more liberal with the speed restriction…

 

[TRAX]

The Met line is still rough compared to the Chiltern lines right next to it. On the S stock, there's a lot of swaying left and right, with constant clackety-clack rail sound. In comparison, the Turbos on the Chiltern are very smooth, with minimal clackety-clack.

Obviously there are big differences in the bogies and suspension systems between S Stock trains and Turbos

 

[GW43125]

Third rail wise, yes! (444s have derogations to run at 100mph, if that’s still in effect?)

There are some 125mph points about.
Rugby North and Colton Jct are two I can name off the top my head.
Nearly all the crossovers on HS1 are 160km/h (approx. 100mph) in comparison!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Aug 2025 ==

Didcot East gets mentioned quite often on GW and XC.
70mph set of points from the Down Main to Down Didcot Avoider is deadly!

100 ends just south of Worting Jn and doesn't pick up again until Barton Mill. White 90mph on both routes from the Up So'ton. Still had it launch a few suitcases!
Didcot east on a 387 is lethal! I remember once on the 395 charter being knocked over in the gangway somewhere along the Godstone rollercoaster (Redhill-Tonbridge).

 

[apinnard]

The GE around Chelmsford and Ingatestone is prone to wet beds due to the clay. Used to be really dire.

 

[Deepgreen]

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!

Yes - I have a video of a steam working at speed there ('The Waterloo Sunset' with 35005) which sees the loco bouncing joyfully!

 

[Monty]

There used to be an absolutely awful bump south of Witley on the up line. Would occasionally do an announcement about it, it's been tamped a few times in recent years. It's still there but not nearly as severe.

 

[Deepgreen]

Anyone remember the old LU A-Stock when going over the points at Neasden?
Bags falling from the overhead luggage racks, people falling off seats, tourists looking shocked.
Great memories!

Yes - see my post no.11 and other mentions.

 

[notspy]

The only places I could think of near me that would warrant that would be the entry into Standedge Tunnel (Dn), Batley (Up) and Carnforth N&S (both directions on a 397), and that might just be mentioning to the trolley staff to hold on if you're near. I can't think of anywhere that would require a dedicated passenger PA even if a lot of the track itself is pretty rough.

 

[milooo]

Going over ranskill loop just north of retford felt like a Alton towers ride!

 

[cairnviewer]

There used to be a big lurch on the down line through Twyford Station. It was known as the Twyford Twitch. It could be quite alarming, but I don't know if it still happens.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Until the speed was capped recently, the Central Line between Mile End at Stratford absolutely bolted along, causing an odd swaying motion which made everyone look like they were doing it deliberately!

 

[Nippy]

There always used to be quite a lurch on the Up approaching Castle Cary just before the station.

 

[pnepaul]

I, sometimes experience a bit of a lurch when approaching Carlisle from the south, when crossing from the Down Main, to access platform 1.

 

[Rob F]

On various Pacers in the late 80s there was a very big lurch in Thackley tunnel, between Shipley and Leeds. It must have been big as it was VERY noticeable, even above all the other lurches and sways that Pacers were prone to.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Until the speed was capped recently, the Central Line between Mile End at Stratford absolutely bolted along, causing an odd swaying motion which made everyone look like they were doing it deliberately!

Tube trains are notorious for hunting at any kind of speed. I remember seeing the old 59/62 stock coming up the tunnel towards a platform and the headlights / destination light would be lurching from side to side all over the place, makes you think how they didn’t used to clip the tunnel walls. Guess the motion was only a matter of a few cm in practice but the light movement made it look more?

 

[TRAX]

Tube trains are notorious for hunting at any kind of speed. I remember seeing the old 59/62 stock coming up the tunnel towards a platform and the headlights / destination light would be lurching from side to side all over the place, makes you think how they didn’t used to clip the tunnel walls. Guess the motion was only a matter of a few cm in practice but the light movement made it look more?

Gauge testing does take this into account when new trains are introduced.

 

[Purple Train]

There used to be a big lurch on the down line through Twyford Station. It was known as the Twyford Twitch. It could be quite alarming, but I don't know if it still happens.

Main or Relief, or both? And when?

I remember recently - by which I mean less than three years ago - watching a freight train pass Twyford on the down relief and it visibly bounced and lurched so violently that I spoke to a member of station staff about it, who thanked me and said that Network Rail were aware. It clearly can't be that dreadful as I've never noticed it on a stopping train at Twyford, and it was pretty close to the east end of the platform. I do still wonder about it occasionally, though, to this day.

(Apologies for digging up an old thread.)

 

[milooo]

There is an quite lively section of track just south of Haddemham and Thame Parkway and that sent my diet coke (thankfully empty) across the table!

 

[Cletus]

From Dollands Moor to the approaches to Ashford is incredibly bouncy on a 395. Don’t have unlidded drink or be walking along the aisle on that section!

 

[Wychwood93]

Some may remember that on the down at Totton there was a somewhat harsh kick over the trailing points at the end of the platform which once led to Eling Wharf.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Main or Relief, or both? And when?

I remember recently - by which I mean less than three years ago - watching a freight train pass Twyford on the down relief and it visibly bounced and lurched so violently that I spoke to a member of station staff about it, who thanked me and said that Network Rail were aware. It clearly can't be that dreadful as I've never noticed it on a stopping train at Twyford, and it was pretty close to the east end of the platform. I do still wonder about it occasionally, though, to this day.

(Apologies for digging up an old thread.)

No experience of the relief lines but you certainly feel the curves on the Up Main at 125mph now the intercity services are electric. Was less noticeable on an HST as presumably linespeed had not yet been reached after the Reading stop.

 

[800301]

Main or Relief, or both? And when?

I remember recently - by which I mean less than three years ago - watching a freight train pass Twyford on the down relief and it visibly bounced and lurched so violently that I spoke to a member of station staff about it, who thanked me and said that Network Rail were aware. It clearly can't be that dreadful as I've never noticed it on a stopping train at Twyford, and it was pretty close to the east end of the platform. I do still wonder about it occasionally, though, to this day.

(Apologies for digging up an old thread.)

There is currently a 50ESR on the up relief for pretty much the same thing just after Twyford West Jn