Abellio Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)

[Abbo]

It's all GO for the new through Norwich-Stansted service from tomorrow. Electric mode is authorised throughout south of Ely.

Does that mean the Pan problem after Elmswell has been universally sorted or just on a few 'dedicated' units for the Stansted service ?

 

[hwl]

Of course the operators always fess up when they’re at fault and don’t just blame somebody else. As per GA.

Well every operator is having stat of bathtub curve issues,
Some of the more experienced operators across Europe are starting to ask very awkward "questions" about bathtub curve shape in recent tenders...

 

[Class 170101]

last time we heard anything it was said to be about '23' at various places, not sure if that was after or before tho, hence the area wide ban

Are you suggesting 23 cases of missing trains or something else?

 

[LAX54]

Are you suggesting 23 cases of missing trains or something else?

The way it was said was 23 WSF's in the 'area', but from our perspective, we have had none at all, leaf fall we tend to expect maybe a 158 when it's the first one in the morning, to maybe blip a bit, but last few years, all trains have been excellent in the leaf fall period, slippery rails yes, can't be avoided, but that's all.....until.....the 7......Da, Da, Daaaahhhhh!

 

[arb]

It's all GO for the new through Norwich-Stansted service from tomorrow. Electric mode is authorised throughout south of Ely.

As a general question (but with specific interest to me between Cambridge and Ely), what happens to bi-modes if there's a problem with the electricity supply on a section of their route where they normally use electric power? Are the drivers allowed to just switch from electricity to diesel and keep going, thus appearing to passengers as if there's no (or very little) problem? Or will it require lots conversations between control/signallers/drivers/whoever to authorise temporary diesel usage on a case-by-case basis? Or is diesel 100% banned in electric sections except in dire emergencies and will the trains become "stuck" in the same way that a fully electric train would do?

(Assuming of course that the problem is "just" a power cut, and not e.g. power deliberately turned off due to trespassers, and also that there are no fully electric trains stopped blocking the line, etc.)

 

[LAX54]

As a general question (but with specific interest to me between Cambridge and Ely), what happens to bi-modes if there's a problem with the electricity supply on a section of their route where they normally use electric power? Are the drivers allowed to just switch from electricity to diesel and keep going, thus appearing to passengers as if there's no (or very little) problem? Or will it require lots conversations between control/signallers/drivers/whoever to authorise temporary diesel usage on a case-by-case basis? Or is diesel 100% banned in electric sections except in dire emergencies and will the trains become "stuck" in the same way that a fully electric train would do?

(Assuming of course that the problem is "just" a power cut, and not e.g. power deliberately turned off due to trespassers, and also that there are no fully electric trains stopped blocking the line, etc.)

As far as we are concerned the 755's are still Diesel only in service, the pantograph fault has not been rectified yet by Stadler / GA.

 

[LAX54]

Latest from GA at 2.30

Due to major signalling problems across the rural routes affecting train services between Ipswich and Lowestoft/Peterborough also between Norwich and Sheringham, train services are being severely disrupted.

 

[arb]

It's all GO for the new through Norwich-Stansted service from tomorrow. Electric mode is authorised throughout south of Ely.

As far as we are concerned the 755's are still Diesel only in service, the pantograph fault has not been rectified yet by Stadler / GA.

Well, that's filled me with confidence for the commute on Monday morning

 

[LAX54]

Well, that's filled me with confidence for the commute on Monday morning

No, it's just a right hand, left hand, situation, will be 'alright on the night'

 

[dk1]

As far as we are concerned the 755's are still Diesel only in service, the pantograph fault has not been rectified yet by Stadler / GA.

Been told it was an issue to do with oins/bolts and for example Ely-Cambridge it may be used with immediate effect. The unit I am currently with however still has both plans isolated.

 

[dk1]

Units can run on diesel rather than electric @arb whenever they like as long as its permitted ie not in platforms 1 or 3 at Stansted. Passengers would have no idea unless next to the power pack.

 

[LAX54]

Been told it was an issue to do with oins/bolts and for example Ely-Cambridge it may be used with immediate effect. The unit I am currently with however still has both plans isolated.

Just emailed our LOM, No OHL authorisation as far as he knows, but we have 16 hours or so yet, mind you never, ever thought the 1440 to Cambridge (from Nch) would ever go ! GSMR then Axle, then something else, and then doors ! lol

 

[F Great Eastern]

As far as we are concerned the 755's are still Diesel only in service, the pantograph fault has not been rectified yet by Stadler / GA.

Sure I read somewhere that they rectified the fault but can't find it now?

 

[Alfie1014]

Just emailed our LOM, No OHL authorisation as far as he knows, but we have 16 hours or so yet, mind you never, ever thought the 1440 to Cambridge (from Nch) would ever go ! GSMR then Axle, then something else, and then doors ! lol

I wondered what was going on with the 14:40, was on the 15:00 to London. We were held at Trowse because the late running 14:40 was signalled in front of us. Then I saw that the road had been put back. So we were there for a few more minutes before our road could be set. That said I’m glad I didn’t stay on in Norwich a little later as originally planned as the 16:00, 16:30 and 17:00 were all cancelled!

 

[eastdyke]

Latest from GA at 2.30
Due to major signalling problems across the rural routes affecting train services between Ipswich and Lowestoft/Peterborough also between Norwich and Sheringham, train services are being severely disrupted.

I am still bewildered!
After the various statements about problems being solved, it seems worse than ever on the East Suffolks today. According to RTT, only 8 trains in total have so far run through Saxmundham, 4 up and 4 down. Less than 1 every 2 hours each way.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...9-12-14/0000-2359?stp=WVSC&show=all&order=wtt
The reason I am seeing on the GA website is:

Owing a shortage of trains as a result of the signalling fault. A reduced train service is operating between Ipswich and Lowestoft

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/tra...ns/rural-routes-disruption-information-update
But GA has plenty of trains? Trying to disect that reason, is it that the trains are having to be modified in some way to operate with the signalling system? Or is it that the signalling system has denied them in some way from mileage testing those being commissioned?

[Ipswich Town fans might be pleased that they were denied travel, Town lost ]

 

[trebor79]

Are you suggesting 23 cases of missing trains or something else?

The way it was said was 23 WSF's in the 'area', but from our perspective, we have had none at all, leaf fall we tend to expect maybe a 158 when it's the first one in the morning, to maybe blip a bit, but last few years, all trains have been excellent in the leaf fall period, slippery rails yes, can't be avoided, but that's all.....until.....the 7......Da, Da, Daaaahhhhh!

I wonder if the 23 are blips? Perhaps the level crossing incident sparked a review of data (I assume modern signalling installations store all activity and indications for a period of time). So you can then see that there's been occassions that a train has "disappeared" for a few seconds, maybe not noticeable or remarkable when a signaller is busy running a whole area, but there nonetheless.

 

[WroxhamTroll]

Another miserable day on the sheringham line including a period tonight with no train for 3 hours! Numerous cancellations and with most services that do manage to run running late.

GA can moan about rumours and those outside the industry not knowing what is really going on, that's because they arent telling us!

 

[samuelmorris]

Another miserable day on the sheringham line including a period tonight with no train for 3 hours! Numerous cancellations and with most services that do manage to run running late.

GA can moan about rumours and those outside the industry not knowing what is really going on, that's because they arent telling us!

Thought this might be noteworthy:

 

[ashkeba]

Indeed, no doubt it will be given a high priority than the long suffering local lines.

Some would argue it would be better they focus on providing a good service on existing routes before focusing on new ones, but who cares about long suffering passengers when there is good PR to chase.

What new route? This seems like merging the Norwich-Cambridge and Cambridge-Stansted services on a route that GA already operates to reduce the pressure on GA's Cambridge station from needless changes because the 755s can enter Stansted platforms where 170s could not go to.

 

[gingerheid]

Some would argue it would be better they focus on providing a good service on existing routes before focusing on new ones, but who cares about long suffering passengers when there is good PR to chase.

It'll be hilarious if the signalling problem suddenly extends to Stansted Airport today.

 

[Abbo]

I understand some rail/s south of Cambridge have been partially painted white over which both 156 and FLIRTS have been run to see how the wheels make contact / rub the paint off. Are they still checking the wheel profiles of the FLIRTS ? Anything known ?

 

[Abbo]

I understand some rail/s south of Cambridge have been partially painted white over which both 156 and FLIRTS have been run to see how the wheels make contact / rub the paint off. Are they still checking the wheel profiles of the FLIRTS ? Anything known ?

 

[dk1]

I understand some rail/s south of Cambridge have been partially painted white over which both 156 and FLIRTS have been run to see how the wheels make contact / rub the paint off. Are they still checking the wheel profiles of the FLIRTS ? Anything known ?

No checking in service now. All resolved.

 

[jopsuk]

anyone on the Airport service? Is it going to pan-up at Ely?

 

[dk1]

anyone on the Airport service? Is it going to pan-up at Ely?

Yes, all drivers instructed to change modes in Ely station.

 

[jopsuk]

Confirmed with my own eyes at Cambridge North

 

[LAX54]

I wondered what was going on with the 14:40, was on the 15:00 to London. We were held at Trowse because the late running 14:40 was signalled in front of us. Then I saw that the road had been put back. So we were there for a few more minutes before our road could be set. That said I’m glad I didn’t stay on in Norwich a little later as originally planned as the 16:00, 16:30 and 17:00 were all cancelled!

1440 had a fault, that was rectified, route set, then another fault, route taken back, ..rectified..route set, different fault..route taken back....Signaller by then was a bit dizzy ! lol

 

[LAX54]

I wonder if the 23 are blips? Perhaps the level crossing incident sparked a review of data (I assume modern signalling installations store all activity and indications for a period of time). So you can then see that there's been occassions that a train has "disappeared" for a few seconds, maybe not noticeable or remarkable when a signaller is busy running a whole area, but there nonetheless.

If train vanishes off a track, it is reported straight away, and all the forms filled in as required

 

[LAX54]

I am still bewildered!
After the various statements about problems being solved, it seems worse than ever on the East Suffolks today. According to RTT, only 8 trains in total have so far run through Saxmundham, 4 up and 4 down. Less than 1 every 2 hours each way.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...9-12-14/0000-2359?stp=WVSC&show=all&order=wtt
The reason I am seeing on the GA website is:

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/tra...ns/rural-routes-disruption-information-update
But GA has plenty of trains? Trying to disect that reason, is it that the trains are having to be modified in some way to operate with the signalling system? Or is it that the signalling system has denied them in some way from mileage testing those being commissioned?

[Ipswich Town fans might be pleased that they were denied travel, Town lost ]

Not sure why they did not put a couple of 755s on the route, the service was indeed sparse! are they now shorter on 156s ?

 

[Failed Unit]

Not sure why they did not put a couple of 755s on the route, the service was indeed sparse! are they now shorter on 156s ?

Should a number of the 156s be operational on EMR tomorrow? How many are left? Or will we have to put up with the 153s a little longer?