Poor Great Western Main Line track quality

[rmHawk765]

I can't be the only one that is always put off by the very poor track on the GWML, at least between Paddington and Reading-ish? It's terrible enough on 345s at 90mph and even worse on 387s at 110mph, while also being barely any better on 80xs.

I know this has been discussed on here before, but I am sure it is not simply exacerbated by the IETs, as the ride quality on the HSTs wasn't amazing on this section either, and the IETs and 387s perform considerably better here on the ECML. Is there any particular reason why? It amazes me that by far the most congested mainline, the WCML, has perhaps the best quality of track in the country on the fasts between Euston and Milton Keynes (this also throws out congestion considerations to explain the GWML situation).

 

[thelongestroad]

It is even worse between Didcot and Swindon...

 

[The exile]

It’s now around 50 years since it had really major work done in preparation for the arrival of the HSTs. I doubt it’s seen anything so thorough since.

 

[a good off]

I watched someone in business attire get completely covered in hot coffee after their full coffee cup jumped off a table when running on plain line track near Pangbourne.

 

[bleeder4]

It is even worse between Didcot and Swindon...

Surprising really, as you'd expect the Billiard Table to be one of the smoothest sections on the line.

 

[oxfordrelayer]

It is even worse between Didcot and Swindon...

I would argue that one! Goring and Pangbourne awful - I grit my teeth and grab the arm rest going through tilehurst, have noticed a difference with different train sets Didcot to swindon