Olympic bullet train passengers terrified by 140mph ‘wobble’
Ross Lydall and Miranda Bryant
08.09.10

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...0mph-wobble.do

London's Olympic bullet trains have been modified after commuters
raised concerns over “frightening and alarming” wobbles at 140mph.

The passengers — who pay premium fares to use Britain's fastest
domestic service — complain of “turbulence” as the trains pass through
tunnels between St Pancras and Kent.

Rail operator Southeastern today admitted the trains were suffering
“sideways movement” — an embarrassment for Japanese manufacturer
Hitachi, which is hoping to win a contract to replace the UK's fleet
of intercity trains.

Nicki Carpenter, 35, a part-time student from Canterbury, said: It's
quite concerning actually because it doesn't feel particularly safe. I
haven't felt nauseous on the train but it can be quite frightening and
alarming.”

Pam Millington, 45, who commutes from Ashford to St Pancras, added:
“You feel like you're on one of the old fashioned trains it's swaying
so much.”

The problems emerged only months after Southeastern trains began
running services on the high-speed track between St Pancras and the
Channel Tunnel used by 186mph Eurostar trains.

On-board computer monitors alerted engineers to the problem, which was
also noticed by train staff, while passengers began complaining about
the uncomfortable ride.

The 29 six-carriage trains, each costing about £9 million, are being
fitted with “dampeners” to reduce the wobble. They have been returned
to Southeastern's depot in Ashford on a rolling basis for repairs to
prevent disruption to the timetable. Ten trains have been modified so
far.

The trains were heralded as “London's new bullet train” when they were
first ordered in 2004. They began running in a trial service in June
last year and were officially unveiled in December by Gordon Brown.

They will form the “Olympic Javelin” service in 2012, taking
spectators from St Pancras to the Olympics park in Stratford in seven
minutes. The problem is believed to be caused because the trains have
to switch between the high-speed line and conventional tracks at
Ashford and Ebbsfleet.

The train suspension appears unable to cope with the demands of the
different track, and each carriage is being weighed down to minimise
the wobble.

A Southeastern spokesman said there were “absolutely no safety issues
at all” and said the trains were being worked on during routine
maintenance checks. He added: “Considering this is a brand new train,
it's more of a teething problem.”