• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Class 745 Stadler FLIRTs

Status
Not open for further replies.

jopsuk

Veteran Member
Joined
13 May 2008
Messages
12,771
It may just be a paperwork issue, the train may be able to run on a line just fine but that needs to be checked. There are no ‘standard’ parameters, all train types must be passed specifically for running on each line. That includes being physically within gauge and also any potential signalling interference etc. The latter may permit them to be hauled only. The electronics on modern trains are a world away from class 309 units.

Avoiding the congested North London line and Finsbury Park area may well be a consideration too.
To go the route they've gone means they've been cleared from Cambridge to Hornsey, just for this purpose, though? And needed paths across the Digswell Viaduct.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

JonathanH

Veteran Member
Joined
29 May 2011
Messages
18,538
How practical would it be to use a 755 to haul a 745 from Norwich to Cambridge via Thetford? Presumably speed and disruption to the passenger service would count against that option.
 

Bald Rick

Veteran Member
Joined
28 Sep 2010
Messages
29,070
How practical would it be to use a 755 to haul a 745 from Norwich to Cambridge via Thetford? Presumably speed and disruption to the passenger service would count against that option.

Pathing a one off / occasional would be simple. No idea about the practicality of one towing the other though. Presumably the 745 would need to have its hazards on ;)
 

trebor79

Established Member
Joined
8 Mar 2018
Messages
4,435
How practical would it be to use a 755 to haul a 745 from Norwich to Cambridge via Thetford? Presumably speed and disruption to the passenger service would count against that option.
Pathing a one off / occasional would be simple. No idea about the practicality of one towing the other though. Presumably the 745 would need to have its hazards on ;)
The passenger service on the Breckland line consists of the GA stopper and EMR express running withing about 20 minutes of each other. Plenty of capacity for a slower speed move.
But why would you have a 755 haul it instead of just banging a 37 on the front?
 

Bald Rick

Veteran Member
Joined
28 Sep 2010
Messages
29,070
The passenger service on the Breckland line consists of the GA stopper and EMR express running withing about 20 minutes of each other. Plenty of capacity for a slower speed move.
But why would you have a 755 haul it instead of just banging a 37 on the front?

If there’s one spare, and the driver signs, it would surely be cheaper than hiring in?
 

Class 170101

Established Member
Joined
1 Mar 2014
Messages
7,909
How practical would it be to use a 755 to haul a 745 from Norwich to Cambridge via Thetford? Presumably speed and disruption to the passenger service would count against that option.

Pathing a one off / occasional would be simple. No idea about the practicality of one towing the other though. Presumably the 745 would need to have its hazards on ;)

Class 755 already tested haulling a Class 745 from Liverpool Street to Norwich for failure. Main problem is it would have to run straight from Crown Point to Cambridge CS and split. Note none of the platforms are long enough (unless you foul Platforms 1 and 4 at Cambridge before anyone says!) Attaching on the way back might be a challenge though.
 

Rick1984

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2012
Messages
1,030
I thought I remembered reading that a retractable barrier could be used to close off a carriage but I may be mistaken
 

TheEdge

Established Member
Joined
29 Nov 2012
Messages
4,489
Location
Norwich
How practical would it be to use a 755 to haul a 745 from Norwich to Cambridge via Thetford? Presumably speed and disruption to the passenger service would count against that option.

Absolutely doable. 755s have already been used to drag failed 745s. I believe its at 50mph max due to the braking characteristics however, even a 755/3 on diesel is perfectly capable of doing it.

I thought I remembered reading that a retractable barrier could be used to close off a carriage but I may be mistaken

A small red barrier tape not unlike a rope queue barrier can be pulled across between coaches. If the great British public would pay it any attention however...
 

colchesterken

Member
Joined
12 Oct 2010
Messages
764
Had to go to London yesterday, waiting at Colchester at about 12,15 a direct rail 47 came through and into the sidings
On my return at about 16,20 it was in the freight loop getting close up and personal, to a failed 745 for a trip to Norwich
Anyone know what was wrong with 745?
 

Shunter_69

Member
Joined
10 Dec 2014
Messages
478
Think it was collecting 755421 for its trip to Clacton but that obviously didn’t happen as it was still there this morning.
 

dk1

Veteran Member
Joined
2 Oct 2009
Messages
15,827
Location
East Anglia
If there’s one spare, and the driver signs, it would surely be cheaper than hiring in?
It's all within the ROG contract. Cost of this doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Im not sure dragging a 12-car with a 3/4-car on diesel is a very good idea.
 

Bald Rick

Veteran Member
Joined
28 Sep 2010
Messages
29,070
It's all within the ROG contract. Cost of this doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Im not sure dragging a 12-car with a 3/4-car on diesel is a very good idea.

Ah, I didn’t realise there was a fixed contract with ROG, thought it was call off. I agree dragging 12 with 3/4 isn’t that good an idea for lots of reasons, but no doubt some people would live to see it.
 

dk1

Veteran Member
Joined
2 Oct 2009
Messages
15,827
Location
East Anglia
Ah, I didn’t realise there was a fixed contract with ROG, thought it was call off. I agree dragging 12 with 3/4 isn’t that good an idea for lots of reasons, but no doubt some people would live to see it.
A 755 has dragged a 745 from Ipswich to Crown Point recently but its as a last resort & in electric mode.

Think it was collecting 755421 for its trip to Clacton but that obviously didn’t happen as it was still there this morning.
Still buried in engine running on the stops of the Royal Dock at Norwich at 16:45 with the failed 745 from this morning behind.
 

apinnard

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2017
Messages
260
Location
Kettering
A 755 has dragged a 745 from Ipswich to Crown Point recently but its as a last resort & in electric mode.


Still buried in engine running on the stops of the Royal Dock at Norwich at 16:45 with the failed 745 from this morning behind.

was the errant 745 on a skate?
 

LAX54

Established Member
Joined
15 Jan 2008
Messages
3,754
So choosing words carefully, (I hope) what is the current issue with the 745's ? they seemed to be top notch, but recently...
 

dk1

Veteran Member
Joined
2 Oct 2009
Messages
15,827
Location
East Anglia
So choosing words carefully, (I hope) what is the current issue with the 745's ? they seemed to be top notch, but recently...
Seems to be a mixture of issues from power to suspension. Not sure how much is to do with software updates. It's a shame because as you said originally their reliability was very good indeed.
 

Peter Mugridge

Veteran Member
Joined
8 Apr 2010
Messages
14,754
Location
Epsom
Hoping to grab a 745/1 tomorrow. Does anyone know how often they're running on StEx services?

I think there's two diagrams, but they're consecutive ones so half an hour apart. I think one of them includes the 17.39 from Liverpool Street as I saw one on that on Monday last week, but I can't remember if it's the first or the second diagram.
 

F Great Eastern

Established Member
Joined
2 Apr 2009
Messages
3,580
Location
East Anglia
Need to go down to London next Friday and was thinking of trying out First Class on the 745s. Will be only my 3rd time on a train in the last six months!

Was wondering what trains we can be certain are most likely to be a 745/0 with it in rather than a Stansted Unit being subbed in? I've tried to get one before pandemic but always had something subbed in!
 

trebor79

Established Member
Joined
8 Mar 2018
Messages
4,435
I'll be interested in your thought on the first class, haven't had the pleasure yet myself. Vague possibility I might need to do a bit of travel for work soon, so that may offer an opportunity.
 

Peter Mugridge

Veteran Member
Joined
8 Apr 2010
Messages
14,754
Location
Epsom
What does "on a skate" mean?

This kind of thing; used to lift the wheels on a seized axle off the track so that the affected vehicle / unit can be towed to a depot for attention.

It's a very slow process given that not only is the bogie slightly raised at one end and so not in perfect balance but the small size of the wheels on the skate means that great care has to be taken on anything that isn't plain line.
 

Attachments

  • Peter Archive 4633.jpg
    Peter Archive 4633.jpg
    857.4 KB · Views: 125

RailWonderer

Established Member
Joined
25 Jul 2018
Messages
1,588
Location
All around the network
Let's guess how many passegners per week or per month will buy first class tickets and will then hassle GA online for refunds becasue a 745/1 turned up. I'm guessing it will be a small but constant pain in the neck for them. All blame to the bid team.

Was wondering what trains we can be certain are most likely to be a 745/0 with it in rather than a Stansted Unit being subbed in? I've tried to get one before pandemic but always had something subbed in!
It's a casino, so no point booking in advance, you can only look on journeycheck on the day to see what diagram the proper 745/0 is on and turn up at your station to buy a walk up ticket for said train.
 

ashkeba

Established Member
Joined
13 May 2019
Messages
2,171
Let's guess how many passegners per week or per month will buy first class tickets and will then hassle GA online for refunds becasue a 745/1 turned up. I'm guessing it will be a small but constant pain in the neck for them. All blame to the bid team.
When the proper diagrams are working and there are only two 745/1 trips, surely they should be clearly marked in the timetable as not having first class, along with any regular class 720 trips?

It will also probably be less upset complaints than all the first class passengers who have ended up in a 321 bin. Because it has "first class" stickers even though it is 2+2 with no buffet, they had no grounds for a refund despite it being much worse than first class on a Mark 3. The bid team have not solved the problem but it looks like they have reduced it.
 

Dave1987

On Moderation
Joined
20 Oct 2012
Messages
4,563
When the proper diagrams are working and there are only two 745/1 trips, surely they should be clearly marked in the timetable as not having first class, along with any regular class 720 trips?

It will also probably be less upset complaints than all the first class passengers who have ended up in a 321 bin. Because it has "first class" stickers even though it is 2+2 with no buffet, they had no grounds for a refund despite it being much worse than first class on a Mark 3. The bid team have not solved the problem but it looks like they have reduced it.

Whenever I saw Norwich passengers complain about having to travel on a 321 my immediate reaction was think about all the people who have to travel on them every day. They now have extremely nice 745’s and yet GE passengers are still stuck with 321’s for a while yet. There is some snobbery that comes from the North end of the network at times.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top