Went for a joy ride on the SMART Train from San Rafael to Sonoma Airport and back. It was a fairly smooth ride but noticed some side to side movement at higher speeds and also on turns. It was a pleasant trip through Marin and Sonoma and was able to see different parts of Marin that you wouldn't see from Highway 101.
The track was totally rebuilt on the original NWP right of way so it should not be anything to do with the track.
I think I was spoiled from riding trains in Japan as they were so smooth and only on rural lines did I hear any clickity clack. There were sections parallel to 101 and the train was going about the same speed as the cars so probably about 60-70 mph.
I've been watching European and Japanese cab rides on YouTube and was astounded to see virtually no side-to-side motion of the camera. Watching the same in US and Canadian videos where the motion is dramatic indicates we put little or no emphasis (money) maintaining our track profiles.
