In the last 10 days I have travelled a few miles by rail and I am concerned at the condition of the permanent way in some areas compared with others.
The offending stretches were on SWT network especially both up and down between Haslemere and Shalford Junction and in the up direction on the main fast line from Byfleet & New Haw to Earlsfield. The 444s I was on were like a fairground ride, rocking and rolling, banging and crashing as the track appeared to be pumping under us on several occasions.
This compared with both the West Coast in a 390 and East Coast in a HST on the fast lines. I would expect that where the line-speed is 90 mph plus greater attention is given to the track, if for nothing else, safety.
A further journey from Partick to Helensburgh and return in a 334 at no location did the ride cause any comment, in fact my fellow travellers remarked on the comfort and smoothness of ride.
Finally, and I accept that its not a fair comparison, in a Mark 1 on the Jacobite from Fort William to Mallaig and return.
I know that NR have been carrying out some track work though the SWT area however unless it is not finished what could/should be done to improve the situation?
The offending stretches were on SWT network especially both up and down between Haslemere and Shalford Junction and in the up direction on the main fast line from Byfleet & New Haw to Earlsfield. The 444s I was on were like a fairground ride, rocking and rolling, banging and crashing as the track appeared to be pumping under us on several occasions.
This compared with both the West Coast in a 390 and East Coast in a HST on the fast lines. I would expect that where the line-speed is 90 mph plus greater attention is given to the track, if for nothing else, safety.
A further journey from Partick to Helensburgh and return in a 334 at no location did the ride cause any comment, in fact my fellow travellers remarked on the comfort and smoothness of ride.
Finally, and I accept that its not a fair comparison, in a Mark 1 on the Jacobite from Fort William to Mallaig and return.
I know that NR have been carrying out some track work though the SWT area however unless it is not finished what could/should be done to improve the situation?