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Greater Anglia Rolling Stock Updates

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LAX54

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That might explain the cancellations but it surely does not explain the delays, the wheel cleaning, the level crossing issues nor the disappearing trains?

Because of the 'issues' with the 755s, Network Rail have bought in a special working, (3.5. working) which is, in a nutshell Absolute Block working, which extends the section a bit, using controlled signals, then if a 755 vanishes for any length of time, or even fleetingly, if there is an Auto signal mid section it would clear to a green, 3.5 addresses this, but makes the section longer, it also increases the Signaller workload somewhat, add to this staff taking 'blocks' to examine the 755's after each trip, and associated paperwork, you can see how the job slows down ! Also this method of working is used for ALL trains, regardless of type, this is the safest way, rather than this train, but not that train, a mistake could easily be made !
 
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eastdyke

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Because of the 'issues' with the 755s, Network Rail have bought in a special working, (3.5. working) which is, in a nutshell Absolute Block working, which extends the section a bit, using controlled signals, then if a 755 vanishes for any length of time, or even fleetingly, if there is an Auto signal mid section it would clear to a green, 3.5 addresses this, but makes the section longer, it also increases the Signaller workload somewhat, add to this staff taking 'blocks' to examine the 755's after each trip, and associated paperwork, you can see how the job slows down ! Also this method of working is used for ALL trains, regardless of type, this is the safest way, rather than this train, but not that train, a mistake could easily be made !
Thank you for the full explanation :)
But this cannot go on indefinitely though?
Perhaps when one of the currently active 'expediencies' drops away, (next weekend?) we will see a more radical arrangement?
 

LAX54

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Thank you for the full explanation :)
But this cannot go on indefinitely though?
Perhaps when one of the currently active 'expediencies' drops away, (next weekend?) we will see a more radical arrangement?

No, you are right it cannot go on, stress alone says it has to be short term, but currently it is the only way NR will allow a 755 onto NR Metals.
 

RailWonderer

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Customer facing staff who see the consequences of the decisions of management and disgruntles passengers each day cannot face blatantly lying to passengers like their bosses in suits can, so stories on this forum and others and local press of staff 'leaking' truths is not surprising.
This bit raised a few eyebrows
Structurally the Anglia network has been a victim of gross underinvestment as well, it isn't a premium mainline like the GWML, ECML or WCML so it hasn't been NR and the DfT's priority so admittedly Stadler have some valid excuse. As a result, poor management choices of the past and poor infrastructure leads to this. Also doesn't help when GA focus on image rather than action, which works to the detriment of the day to day railway.
 

gingerheid

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I wish they'd handle the disruption a bit better.

Cambridge to Ipswich 2 hourly... Ok fair enough. Useful information would include which hours that would be... Can I guess from what happened on Monday? No.

A14 again it is then.
 
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86246

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No cancellations listed for Ipswich to Cambridge today. The East Suffolk is reduced to a train every two hours.
 

eastdyke

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I came across the GA release of 2019 RHTT plans dated 18th October [gosh that seems a long long time ago] and was reminded that operations were due to end Friday 13th December.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/autumn-prep
Part extract:
The specialist trains will travel around 80,000 kilometres between now until 13 December across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, East London and Essex which is the equivalent travelling around the world twice.
Presumably in current circumstances a presence will be 'sensibly retained' UFN?
 

F Great Eastern

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No cancellations listed for Ipswich to Cambridge today. The East Suffolk is reduced to a train every two hours.

That's the line I need to use today unfortunately!!

Are tickets from lowestoft being allowed via Norwich view of this to get to say Ipswich. Heard conflicting reports of this since the fare via Norwich is more expensive than direct.
 

Paulie558

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Well that must be a first!
Looking at the live arrivals into Norwich station right now,I can see a Cambridge train with it's departure point being Shippea Hill!
The most underused station in the UK I believe!
Must have been an interesting experience if passengers had to de bunk there,would take some of the moss off the platform!
Edit,now showing as cancelled.


https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/live-departure-arrival-boards/NRW
 
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dk1

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That's the line I need to use today unfortunately!!

Are tickets from lowestoft being allowed via Norwich view of this to get to say Ipswich. Heard conflicting reports of this since the fare via Norwich is more expensive than direct.
I would be astounded if any of my colleagues was unhelpful in allowing you travel via Norwich. During normal times of disruption they are understanding let alone in the current chaos.
 

Tug

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I am no expert on railway technology but understand basic general engineering so please be understanding!

The main problem, as I understand it, is that the 755 trains do not connect reliably to the signalling systems that are carried out through track contact. If this is the case can there be any sort of quick fix? As I have described it the problem is not a software issue but rather a physical problem that would appear to require modifications to the trains and/or the track and/or signalling systems. None of these sound like something that will happen quickly (ask Boeing about the 737 Max). There is no possibility of other units magically appearing to resolve the situation and the 745 (Intercity) are unlikely to be introduced until this is resolved with the 90/Mk3 trains becoming ever less reliable .

Am I being unduly pessimistic when I suggest that this problem is likely to go on for an extended period of time and I should plan accordingly?
 

Grumbler

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I am no expert on railway technology but understand basic general engineering so please be understanding!

The main problem, as I understand it, is that the 755 trains do not connect reliably to the signalling systems that are carried out through track contact. If this is the case can there be any sort of quick fix? As I have described it the problem is not a software issue but rather a physical problem that would appear to require modifications to the trains and/or the track and/or signalling systems. None of these sound like something that will happen quickly (ask Boeing about the 737 Max). There is no possibility of other units magically appearing to resolve the situation and the 745 (Intercity) are unlikely to be introduced until this is resolved with the 90/Mk3 trains becoming ever less reliable .

Am I being unduly pessimistic when I suggest that this problem is likely to go on for an extended period of time and I should plan accordingly?
I seem to recall that there were signalling problems when the Eurostars and the Class 92s were introduced because BR (as it then was) was unclear on the maximum amount of interference their signalling system could cope with. I would have thought that NR must now have a set of standards so that manufacturers can assure the quality of their products.
 

ashkeba

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I seem to recall that there were signalling problems when the Eurostars and the Class 92s were introduced because BR (as it then was) was unclear on the maximum amount of interference their signalling system could cope with. I would have thought that NR must now have a set of standards so that manufacturers can assure the quality of their products.
If there is a set of standards, would anyone like to bet on the Bitter Line complying?
 

Tug

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I wonder. Is what is being done to the Wherry Lines a repeat of what was done to the Bittern Line with the same potential problem? I am hoping that until the 755 issues are resolved nothing is going to change!
 
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LAX54

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I wonder. Is what is being done to the Wherry Lines a repeat of what was done to the Bittern Line with the same potential problem? I am hoping that until the 755 issues are resolved nothing is going to change!
There are no AHB's with the resignalling, they are either OD crossings, or CCTV, The OD's on the Felixstowe, have worked quite well since May,
 

LAX54

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I came across the GA release of 2019 RHTT plans dated 18th October [gosh that seems a long long time ago] and was reminded that operations were due to end Friday 13th December.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/autumn-prep
Part extract:
Presumably in current circumstances a presence will be 'sensibly retained' UFN?

They are due to end, but of course the paths are valid 365 days, so can run whenever, just needs to be 'called'
 

86246

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An every two hours service was restored to the Felixstowe branch this afternoon.

Small progress but progress nonetheless.
 

dk1

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An every two hours service was restored to the Felixstowe branch this afternoon.

Small progress but progress nonetheless.
Off today but using trains to/from Brundall. Apart from a minor delay of six minutes on the outward trip both where nice warm & well loaded 755s. Pleasently surprised compared to Mon/Tues.
 

dk1

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Good news, was it a 755 though?
755 booked on the 20:28 then back to Norwich in electric mode. The restriction on running on AC appears to be lifted confirming a comment from Stadler yesterday but there are rumours these units cannot now operate on the main line. Only other option is to return ECS to Crown Point via the East Suffolk.
 

F Great Eastern

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Bet hedging time.

Colleague in Stowmarket has to be in Lowestoft for 09:45 in the morning for a business meeting.

Which of these ways would be the most likely to run:
07:35 Ipswich to Lowestoft
07:55 Norwich to Lowestoft
08:55 Norwich to Lowestoft

From looking at the last week, 08:55 from Norwich seems to be at risk of cancellation, 07:35 ran today but was cancelled yesterday but 07:55 from Norwich seems to be the most reliable of all three, but since it can and does change they're a bit worried.

Any help anyone has appreciated, waking up at 4am in the morning to have a look and going back to sleep again is not very friendly.
 

dk1

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Bet hedging time.

Colleague in Stowmarket has to be in Lowestoft for 09:45 in the morning for a business meeting.

Which of these ways would be the most likely to run:
07:35 Ipswich to Lowestoft
07:55 Norwich to Lowestoft
08:55 Norwich to Lowestoft

From looking at the last week, 08:55 from Norwich seems to be at risk of cancellation, 07:35 ran today but was cancelled yesterday but 07:55 from Norwich seems to be the most reliable of all three, but since it can and does change they're a bit worried.

Any help anyone has appreciated, waking up at 4am in the morning to have a look and going back to sleep again is not very friendly.
Don't shoot me if I'm wrong but i have to agree with you. The 07:55 seems the safer bet.
 

gingerheid

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Given that they're clearly playing rotate the missing trains (except re Peterborough) , I wish they'd tell us in advance so we could guess this sort of thing...
 

trebor79

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Rumours they can't operate on the main line? Is that because the special signalling arrangements in place are impractical for busier parts of the network?
 
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