Abellio Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)

[dp21]

For those interested, 755001 made took it's first journey under it's own power the other day. Ok it was a matter of a few feet but it's still a major milestone.

 

[longhorn]

When the cars are connected, does sheer weight of the one car keep its connector sitting in the groove of the partner car? Or is there a cap sits on top of the connector in the top picture.

 

[100andthirty]

There is either a cap or a bolt through the connector!

 

[hexagon789]

When the cars are connected, does sheer weight of the one car keep its connector sitting in the groove of the partner car? Or is there a cap sits on top of the connector in the top picture.

Must be a cap or bolt or something, otherwise the cars might part in a derailment and would be more likely to jackknife I'd have thought.

 

[longhorn]

If this set is suppose to be out testing, surprised there are not more pics of the train.

 

[Wivenswold]

Last I read the first unit is undergoing static testing indoors at Stadler’s Erlen Commissioning Centre. I don't know where Stadler's test track is though, I assume they have one.

 

[Loki]

 

[Wivenswold]

Oh I say. Looks even better in sunlight.

 

[MrPIC]

Think its heading off to either Romania or Czechia very shortly for testing, and then to Berlin for a trade show before coming to the UK after that

 

[The_Engineer]

Is it a trick of the light, or does the diesel bit in the middle seem to be sloping differently to the rest of the train??

 

[ac6000cw]

Is it a trick of the light, or does the diesel bit in the middle seem to be sloping differently to the rest of the train??

I was wondering that too - it certainly looks to be out-of-line with the rest of the vehicles.

 

[twpsaesneg]

Is it a trick of the light, or does the diesel bit in the middle seem to be sloping differently to the rest of the train??

Looks to be a similar profile to what the the rest of the cars woukd be if the doors were open - could be they've maximised body profile in the engine unit to give more space, since they'd not have to allow for a door open in service on that seeing as there aren't any.
Or it could be a ropey bit of track!

 

[Alfie1014]

Smart, but I agree the power unit looks a bit odd but may just be a trick if the light?

 

[MisterT]

Or it might be some testing of the suspension.

 

[dp21]

Is it a trick of the light, or does the diesel bit in the middle seem to be sloping differently to the rest of the train??

It looks different because it's actually slightly larger than the rest of the vehicles (about 10cm). Don't ask me why. My first question was why not make the rest of the vehicles slightly wider to match it?

Anyone who knows better can enlighten us.

 

[ac6000cw]

It's probably suspension testing or unevenness of the track in reality - if you run a ruler along the train on the photo, the rear two cars are out-of-line with the front two, and the power car is twisting/tilting to bridge the difference.

 

[MrPIC]

The power car is indeed slightly wider than the other vehicles, to maximise space for the engines. This can be done on this "coach" only really because its so short, if the rest of the coaches were this wide they wouldn't meet the gauge.

 

[ac6000cw]

It looks different because it's actually slightly larger than the rest of the vehicles (about 10cm). Don't ask me why. My first question was why not make the rest of the vehicles slightly wider to match it?

Anyone who knows better can enlighten us.

My guess would be that because the power car is shorter it has less throw-over on curves so can be wider while staying within the clearance requirements. As passenger vehicles have got longer it's probably mostly the curve throw-over issue that limits the body width.

 

[The_Engineer]

My guess would be that because the power car is shorter it has less throw-over on curves so can be wider while staying within the clearance requirements. As passenger vehicles have got longer it's probably mostly the curve throw-over issue that limits the body width.

Correct!! Hence the taper too, on Mk.IV coach ends and other long bodied stock.

 

[longhorn]

So if one wanted an 8 coach train it would require two power cars?

 

[MrPIC]

An 8 coach of the 4 car bi mode yes, the AC only flirts are 12 coaches long with no power cars. The power cars are for the diesel engines.

 

[samuelmorris]

Is the plan still to run two of these coupled for the Lowestoft services?

 

[Rick1984]

Smart train but find the livery a bit messy. Think the 321 livery is the best Greater Anglia livery.

 

[fat_boy_pete]

It looks different because it's actually slightly larger than the rest of the vehicles (about 10cm). Don't ask me why. My first question was why not make the rest of the vehicles slightly wider to match it?

Anyone who knows better can enlighten us.

It's shorter, so can be wider and still keep within the loading gauge. Allows the corridor to be less claustrophobic.

 

[Goldfish62]

Smart train but find the livery a bit messy. Think the 321 livery is the best Greater Anglia livery.

For me, the previously unplanned yellow panel has a jarring effect on the whole appearance.

 

[321446]

For me, the previously unplanned yellow panel has a jarring effect on the whole appearance.

Does it’s job well then!!

 

[MrPIC]

Any recent pics of the Aventra 720's? Last I saw was a picture of a coach and the flirts seem to be racing ahead!

 

[Wivenswold]

If there isn't a 720 at Ashfordby yet there will be soon.

 

[whhistle]

Very European looking.
I like it! A bit different to what we're used to seeing on our metals these days.

Well, I did like it... until someone pointed out the larger engine vehicle. What a shame.

Although regarding the yellow fronts, I'd like some proper, recent testing to be done.
I would highly suspect a tiny amount of yellow like that isn't going to make any difference.

 

[James James]

The Valle D'Aosta bi-modes also have a larger engine - it's especially apparent in the following CG image, but in real life photos it's a bit more subtle:
http://www.railwaygazette.com/uploads/pics/tn_it-aosta-flirt-electrodiesel-impression.jpg

To me the weirder thing is seeing Flirts with Dellner's, but I suppose that's a location dependent thing.