I was on a LNER trip to from London to York yesterday and I must say the AZUMA is the worst train ride I had in my life. Not only were the seats uncomfortable and the suspension stiff like your average electric EV. The train also went through 5 episodes of hunting oscillation (violent left-right shakes lasting 5 seconds) on my trip back. Both trip were 9 car units sitting in Coach B. The To-York trip was ~60% full and no hunting oscillation. The return trip was ~80% full between York-Doncaster and no hunting oscillation. Then the Doncaster-London section was only ~10% full that's when Hunting Oscillation happened every few minutes. I think it must be weight related and I don't even think it's safe for modern trains to be hunting! The conductor obviously had no issues with it, what do you think? Is a derailment waiting to happen or is this within specs?
Back in the day, it was quite common for the Mark One coaches fitted with the newer B4 bogies (such as used on the WCML and Master Cobbler Northampton loco hauled services) to suffer from this. Mainly down to the condition of track which took a helluva pounding from the AC electric locos pounding up and down at 100 MPH day and night. However, like turbulence in a plane it's uncomfortable and a bit alarming but not inherently unsafe.
Next time you’re down this way try a trip on the DLR, that’s when you find out what hunting oscillation can be at an extreme level
