I'm aware the Bendigo line still has timber sleeper sections that will probably be replaced when the Traralgon line has been upgraded however the standard to the track compared to the Ballarat line was stark.
The Bendigo line was a MUCH rougher riding track than the Ballarat line and this was very apparent when I changed at Sunshine and joined a down Ballarat VLocity to Ballan.
The Bendigo line had a lot more rough riding and noisy curves, a lot more yawing, and more up and down motion and not limited to the timber sleeper sections either.
All this was aside from the driver who couldn't offer a smooth stop if his life depended on it, and after departure from each station the train was bunched up so each start was with a jerk as the train stretched out its 4 cars.
I don't recall the ride being so rough on the down journey 2 days earlier.
Could all this be the seemingly poor condition of the Bendigo line, the ACN car set needing an overhaul or just the superior riding quality offered in the VLocity cars, or a combination of the above.
Mike.