Reporting a rough ride as a passenger

[l1v1d]

Yesterday I was on the 1W26 up from Southampton after the SWML disruption with the freight trains and between Micheldever and Hook there was an astonishingly violent movement of the train, everyone flew around (not helped by it being full and standing) and my partner nearly went straight into one of the doors. I'm used to the usual amount of bumps and wiggling going to London but that was really quite bad to clomp at full speed.

As far as I can tell there's no avenue for a passenger to report such a rough ride, which is understandable (because they'd drown in reports if there was some sort of reporting channel), but does make one feel a little out of control, should I have mentioned it to station staff or to the TOCs customer service online?

 

[Vexed]

Do you think it was Worting Junction, around 3 miles before Basinstoke? It's always a bit rough going over those points from the Up Southampton to Up Fast. I've been on trains where the guard has done a PA annoucement to advise people standing to hold on.

The line speed is 90 and the points are also rated for 90mph.

You can always report it to Network Rail's 24/7 helpline if you feel it's particularly important and there's no convenient guard/station staff.



This is a screenshot from the sectional appendix of Worting Junction. The line from Southampton is labelled 4 at the bottom and trains to London would usually go onto the fast lines at Worting Junction (slightly further south is where the line from Sailsbury joins and it becomes quad track)

 

[800001]

Yesterday I was on the 1W26 up from Southampton after the SWML disruption with the freight trains and between Micheldever and Hook there was an astonishingly violent movement of the train, everyone flew around (not helped by it being full and standing) and my partner nearly went straight into one of the doors. I'm used to the usual amount of bumps and wiggling going to London but that was really quite bad to clomp at full speed.

As far as I can tell there's no avenue for a passenger to report such a rough ride, which is understandable (because they'd drown in reports if there was some sort of reporting channel), but does make one feel a little out of control, should I have mentioned it to station staff or to the TOCs customer service online?

If on a train where there is a guard, revenue staff etc, always report it to them if you feel it is as bad as you state on here.

What they choose to do with that information is up to them, but you have at least down your part.

 

[saismee]

You can always report it to Network Rail's 24/7 helpline if you feel it's particularly important and there's no convenient guard/station staff.

Do this if you have a genuine concern, staff will likely brush it off if they didn't feel it themselves.

When I started using the Fen Line, I felt a massive bump, almost like we hit something right under the wheel. I was going to report it but it didn't feel dangerous really. AIUI now, that's just how Electrostars feel on the Fen Line.

 

[LowLevel]

If you feel it's bad enough that safety is immediately at risk either pull the passenger alarm and tell the driver or if the train has a guard and they're somewhere obvious tell them.

 

[Rab Smith]

If it is bad enough and out of the ordinary, traincrew or possibly even onboard staff travelling on board will already have reported it but it does no harm to report it to either the guard or driver if you can.

 

[Falcon1200]

IIRC after the Potters Bar accident Network Rail issued an instruction that any reports from members of the public of suspected track defects were to be treated seriously and investigated. That does depend on them being able to make the report in the first place, of course.

 

[Swedenorer]

Not track but I once contacted Southern re a very rough riding 442 on the Brighton service - it was a shocker. What I've never understood is why some rough riding spots never seem to change - there is one just north of Arundel which has been a jolt for years.

 

[LowLevel]

If it is bad enough and out of the ordinary, traincrew or possibly even onboard staff travelling on board will already have reported it but it does no harm to report it to either the guard or driver if you can.

You say that but you can become a bit too attuned at times to what you think is normal and it certainly can feel very different in different of the train. I've had drivers in the back cab travelling who have been horrified at the ride quality vs what they feel in the front.

 

[saismee]

IIRC after the Potters Bar accident Network Rail issued an instruction that any reports from members of the public of suspected track defects were to be treated seriously and investigated. That does depend on them being able to make the report in the first place, of course.

I thought they did take it seriously, they just checked the wrong set of points.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Do this if you have a genuine concern, staff will likely brush it off if they didn't feel it themselves.

When I started using the Fen Line, I felt a massive bump, almost like we hit something right under the wheel. I was going to report it but it didn't feel dangerous really. AIUI now, that's just how Electrostars feel on the Fen Line.

Hitting bump stops can vary by stock. It used to be that the 507s would do it at every rail joint between Kirkdale and Walton.

 

[Carntyne]

Yesterday I was on the 1W26 up from Southampton after the SWML disruption with the freight trains and between Micheldever and Hook there was an astonishingly violent movement of the train, everyone flew around (not helped by it being full and standing) and my partner nearly went straight into one of the doors. I'm used to the usual amount of bumps and wiggling going to London but that was really quite bad to clomp at full speed.

As far as I can tell there's no avenue for a passenger to report such a rough ride, which is understandable (because they'd drown in reports if there was some sort of reporting channel), but does make one feel a little out of control, should I have mentioned it to station staff or to the TOCs customer service online?

There absolutely is a way to report a rough ride, there's a train driver, second member of train crew, and in the worst situation, the passenger alarm.

If you are genuinely concerned, don't wait until you're home to send an email.

 

[saismee]

If you are genuinely concerned, don't wait until you're home to send an email.

I think a tweet would get further than an email. As far as I am aware, the social media team are usually stationed in the relevant ROC, so could easily walk to the desk of the most appropriate person.

 

[Rail2002]

Yesterday I was on the 1W26 up from Southampton after the SWML disruption with the freight trains and between Micheldever and Hook there was an astonishingly violent movement of the train, everyone flew around (not helped by it being full and standing) and my partner nearly went straight into one of the doors. I'm used to the usual amount of bumps and wiggling going to London but that was really quite bad to clomp at full speed.

As far as I can tell there's no avenue for a passenger to report such a rough ride, which is understandable (because they'd drown in reports if there was some sort of reporting channel), but does make one feel a little out of control, should I have mentioned it to station staff or to the TOCs customer service online?

You could mention it to the Senior Conductor/Train Manager as they pass through the train.

 

[Carntyne]

I think a tweet would get further than an email. As far as I am aware, the social media team are usually stationed in the relevant ROC, so could easily walk to the desk of the most appropriate person.

If it's that concerning, then you need to tell someone immediately, not send a tweet.

 

[Bedwyn32]

As a guard for SWR I know that bit between Basingstoke and Hook on the up has been reported before by staff.

 

[urpert]

I’ve used the NR contact form here to report a loose level crossing panel. They replied within 24 hours.

Contact us - Network Rail

For safety issues call our 24 hour helpline: 03457 11 41 41 To report a crime call the BTP: 0800 40 50 40, 999 or text: 61016

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[Vexed]

I’ve used the NR contact form here to report a loose level crossing panel. They replied within 24 hours.

Contact us - Network Rail

For safety issues call our 24 hour helpline: 03457 11 41 41 To report a crime call the BTP: 0800 40 50 40, 999 or text: 61016

www.networkrail.co.uk

I've used the live chat and was emailed a couple days later that a MOM had been sent out "at the time of the call" (which is strange as it was an online chat but anyway...). That was a report of a dead fox in the four foot at a station.

 

[RGM654]

I (and fellow passengers) recently noticed a pretty violent lurch on a down train approaching the old train shed at Darlington (sorry, don't know platform numbers). Is that a known one or might the train speed have been more appropriate for a train running into the new platform?

 

[800001]

I (and fellow passengers) recently noticed a pretty violent lurch on a down train approaching the old train shed at Darlington (sorry, don't know platform numbers). Is that a known one or might the train speed have been more appropriate for a train running into the new platform?

Arriving in to platform 4 from the south there is a severe lurch which has been there for as long as I can remember, certainly when hsts and Mk4s where running for LNER/Virgin.

It's on the curve as you enter the platform.

I reported it and was told the measurement train has been over it and found no problem.

When standing waiting to alight I've seen people stumble and fall over.

 

[irish_rail]

My advice, report it to either the guard / driver / or online immediately.

My own cautionary tale explains why. Back in Feb 2007, I was travelling to Scotland one afternoon on a Voyager up the WCML. Heading through Lakeland, I went for a quick toilet trip, but whilst standing in the toilet I was nearly thrown to the floor, and, without getting too graphic, my pee may have missed its target just a little!
I was quite shocked by the severity of the lurch, and thought I should report it, but the lazy part of me assumed that everyone else would have felt it too and I chose to stay silent.

A couple of hours later, 390 033 derailed at Grayrigg on the same bit of track and the rest Is history......

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Yesterday I was on the 1W26 up from Southampton after the SWML disruption with the freight trains and between Micheldever and Hook there was an astonishingly violent movement of the train, everyone flew around (not helped by it being full and standing) and my partner nearly went straight into one of the doors. I'm used to the usual amount of bumps and wiggling going to London but that was really quite bad to clomp at full speed.

Do you think it was Worting Junction, around 3 miles before Basinstoke? It's always a bit rough going over those points from the Up Southampton to Up Fast. I've been on trains where the guard has done a PA annoucement to advise people standing to hold on.

The line speed is 90 and the points are also rated for 90mph.

My initial thought was Worting Junction, those points on the Up Winchester, leading to the Up Slow and Up Fast. 90 mph as Vexed says, and although not too obvious on Google, they are (or were in my experience) a very long 'Y' turnout , and so which ever route is being taken, a train will (probably) suffer similar ride qualities.

How bad is bad?

Having ridden (last century) through there on loco's, the ride through those points on class 47s was nothing to worry about, possibly due to 47's having 6 wheel bogies? But on class 33's when going through those points one could almost be bounced out of the seat. This may have been partly due to 33's having only 4 wheel bogies (as per 444/450) and being lighter in weight than a 47?

For drivers (in particular) there is a chance of complacency perhaps, knowing that historically location X is usually a bit rough, but that said any driver who suddenly feels a certain location is noticeably rougher than it was 'yesterday' (so to speak), will most likely report same to signallers, who can then put a temporary line block in place for said location to be examined, or deal with as seen fit.

As far as the OPs journey (ie on SWR) is concerned, ie: where Guards are still employed, if concerned about any such matter, first port of call is the guard, at the time concerned, don't wait until the end of the journey, and don't be embarrassed about raising any such matter either.

A further memory from many years ago: On the Down Fast between Byfleet and NH and West Byfleet there was, for some months, a section of track that caused 158/159 units to experience quite bad 'hunting' (ie; side to side knocking , in the passenger saloons), which I myself reported to Control when I first experienced it, but strangely, as far as I recall, 444/450's were not subject to the same.

Update - my BOLD: reporting at the time concerned should allow the guard to identify the approximate location by looking out the window, something that few passengers can do without the aid of station name boards, which may not be readable at speed etc.

 

[setdown]

I would have thought it'd be quite cheap to add accelerometers to trains, that reports in real-time, and any excessive regions get reported with GPS coordinates. Do any train types do this already?

 

[SargeNpton]

I’ve used the NR contact form here to report a loose level crossing panel. They replied within 24 hours.

Contact us - Network Rail

For safety issues call our 24 hour helpline: 03457 11 41 41 To report a crime call the BTP: 0800 40 50 40, 999 or text: 61016

www.networkrail.co.uk

Similarly, about 2004, riding a motorcycle over a level crossing at Leominster. The shocking state of the panels in-between the rails was dangerous. Looking at Google Earth, that level crossing may no longer exist.

 

[cf111]

I’ve used the NR contact form here to report a loose level crossing panel. They replied within 24 hours.

Contact us - Network Rail

For safety issues call our 24 hour helpline: 03457 11 41 41 To report a crime call the BTP: 0800 40 50 40, 999 or text: 61016

www.networkrail.co.uk

I have used this once to report rough riding. I received a response within 48 hours advising me that no fault had been found but thanking me for the report. I've never had cause to report anything again but it was nice to know that Network Rail do take such reports seriously.

 

[amahy]

I was once talking to a guard on the Calder Valley line. There’s a bit of track just west of Walsden that’s notorious for rough riding, as there is a sharp ascent and descent in a very short space. Apparently, TPE drivers that weren’t familiar with this would often report it to the signaller, as a potential issue with the track, causing many unnecessary safety inspections by Network Rail!

 

[londonmidland]

Currently on 1R78 and running at a significantly reduced speed between Shippea Hill and Ely.

According to our guard, the signaller has asked our driver to inspect the track, hence why we’re going slow.

Certainly a lot of side to side movement even at such a low speed (at times, 20mph or less).

 

[ainsworth74]

I’ve used the NR contact form here to report a loose level crossing panel. They replied within 24 hours.

Contact us - Network Rail

For safety issues call our 24 hour helpline: 03457 11 41 41 To report a crime call the BTP: 0800 40 50 40, 999 or text: 61016

www.networkrail.co.uk

I used that a few years ago to report a possible issue. I was at South Bank station and a freight came over the freight lines out the back and I noticed what looked like several loose bolts happily rattling away (as in visibly moving separate to the chair) that should be securing the point work to the sleepers (as they're wooden hence bolts). I got an acknowledgement email and a few follow up questions. Then a couple of days later I got an email back saying they'd been out to inspect found a few loose things to tighten up and thanked me for reporting it.

I think signs point to Network Rail taking reports from members of the public seriously as long as you can give them the right information to track down where the issue is.

 

[mrmartin]

In fairness to GWR when I reported a very serious jolt on twitter DMs with a screenshot of GPS location they did reply very quickly. Whether anything got done im not sure.

But yes I agree with the other poster on accelerometers. You'd think they would be fitted to all trains and send back data and location. Would quickly rule out "the train" being rough vs track defects if there was many reports at the same location you'd have thought?

 

[styles]

I would have thought it'd be quite cheap to add accelerometers to trains, that reports in real-time, and any excessive regions get reported with GPS coordinates. Do any train types do this already?

Some rolling stock has had gyros and accelerometers on them for over a decade to be fair