Very Rough Ride London to Reading

[whole diary]

[SByers]

If I want a white knuckle ride with a real fear of injury I could go to Alton Towers or even Disney. But there the fear is mostly imagined (until things go wrong anyway). But I never expected to be in fear of my life on a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) train. A few weeks ago I caught an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) service to Swindon from Reading. All went smoothly. But then I had to return later that day. At Swindon one of those sleek new Hitachi GWR electrics turned up. I was really looking forwards to the ride back. I managed to get a seat at one end of a carriage - mistake. I wanted to use my laptop - second mistake. The ride to Reading was dreadful. The bogies were bouncing up and down and 'hunting' like demented demons - the track was obviously 'rippled' to enhance the bouncing - the sprung mounted carriages bounced at the same frequency. It was impossible to stand up and not be thrown down. Without seat belts I feared I'd be thrown out of my seat. I had the arm rests down - no help. My laptop nearly ended up on the floor. I had to put it away. I really feared for my life. A train manager went by holding on for dear life. I complained to him about the rough ride. The GWR culture of complete arrogance meant that he totally ignored me. He had no explanation. He uttered not a word. But he walked away. I told him not to be so bl**dy ignorant. I wouldn't be surprised if one of these Hitachi Japanese crap trains don't jump the track sometime soon. An experience never to be repeated.

[IndustryInsider]

Possibly deflated suspension bags on that bogie?  Did you try another carriage?  A train can proceed as such perfectly safely at line speed though the ride feels extremely rough.  The IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) ride quality under normal circumstances compares with a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) in my experience.

[grahame]

At Swindon one of those sleek new Hitachi GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) electrics turned up. ...  The ride to Reading was dreadful.

Ouch.    That sounds very much like the exception; I'm a passenger and don't know the technical stuff but I have made dozens of part-route trips London - Chippenham - Bristol and London - Cardiff - Swansea services and also a North Cotswold journey and the ride has been good in each case.

Possibly deflated suspension bags on that bogie?  Did you try another carriage?  A train can proceed as such perfectly safely at line speed though the ride feels extremely rough.  The IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) ride quality under normal circumstances compares with a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) in my experience.

Thank you for that re-assurance ... interesting to hear if others have had rough journeys?

[SandTEngineer]

You should try travelling between Reading and Taunton then (the Berks and Hants).  Worse ride in the whole country I reckon (and I've being doing it for over 35 years now, so think I can speak with some authority!).  Its all those heavy stone trains and associated weak embankments.

[IndustryInsider]

I agree.  Though it's currently rivalled by the North Cotswold Line.