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Abellio Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)

samuelmorris

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Try sitting as close to the engines next time and tell us what you think. And then as close as you can to the front or rear. I would be interested to hear how you compare the 3 seating positions in terms of noise.
From the footage I've seen, the noise level sounds similar to a regular DMU, but being in a separate vehicle (and probably better build quality than a Turbostar) none of the associated rattling panels.
 
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ac6000cw

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I was in the second coach, but at the end furthest from the engines. You can hear them a little bit but it’s hugely better than a Turbostar, with no vibration. Reminds me of the 800s in diesel mode.

If you sit right next to the power car, you can feel a small amount of engine vibration through the floor. Having ridden from Cambridge to Norwich sitting in the seats right next to it, I think most of the engine noise travels via the corridor door - it's much louder when it's open (as you would expect), and it's a bit quieter in the window seats versus the aisle seats (as they are further away from the door).

So maybe 16-32 seats in total (8-16 on each side of the power car) where engine noise & vibration is noticeable to some degree.

But that is versus 156/170 with engine noise and vibration in *every* coach - it's no contest really.
 

Railperf

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If you sit right next to the power car, you can feel a small amount of engine vibration through the floor. Having ridden from Cambridge to Norwich sitting in the seats right next to it, I think most of the engine noise travels via the corridor door - it's much louder when it's open (as you would expect), and it's a bit quieter in the window seats versus the aisle seats (as they are further away from the door).

So maybe 16-32 seats in total (8-16 on each side of the power car) where engine noise & vibration is noticeable to some degree.

But that is versus 156/170 with engine noise and vibration in *every* coach - it's no contest really.
It seems to have a triple personality. If you are sitting closest the engines I agree there is a fair amount of noise maybe not so much vibration. If you are sitting closest to the driver's cab and over the power bogie it sounds like you are sitting in an EMU. You hear the traction Motors but not the engine. And then some way midway between the two it is actually quite quiet. You can't really hear the traction Motors nor the engine and if you can hear either, It is very muted

That is all subject to the noise levels of any fellow passengers. Last weekend there was a group of girls going on a hen party clearly having consumed a few drinks already and unsurprisingly drowned out most of the surrounding noise. Lol
 

arb

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31 Oct 2010
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I used one for the first time yesterday. Was sat right at the back. Generally very impressed, but my first thought after getting on board at the very back set of doors was "where would I put a large bag/suitcase?". There didn't seem to be any luggage racks - only overhead storage (or on the floor by the doors). I hope it's not like that throughout the full length of the train!
 

170TurboFan

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25 Jul 2018
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I used one for the first time yesterday. Was sat right at the back. Generally very impressed, but my first thought after getting on board at the very back set of doors was "where would I put a large bag/suitcase?". There didn't seem to be any luggage racks - only overhead storage (or on the floor by the doors). I hope it's not like that throughout the full length of the train!
There is quite a bit of space underneath the seats which can take relatively large bags
 

hwl

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There is quite a bit of space underneath the seats which can take relatively large bags
Be careful as a lot of continental Flirts haven't had the metal work under the seats finished off carefully leaving rough edges that can damage bags.
 

trebor79

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There are luggage stacks, but I'm not sure if they are necessarily near the doors. I'm travelling again on Thursday, hopefully I'll get a 755 and will remember to take note.
 

delticdave

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14 Apr 2017
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I used one for the first time yesterday. Was sat right at the back. Generally very impressed, but my first thought after getting on board at the very back set of doors was "where would I put a large bag/suitcase?". There didn't seem to be any luggage racks - only overhead storage (or on the floor by the doors). I hope it's not like that throughout the full length of the train!

I did a couple of trips last friday in 755410 & took some pix of the interior, the driving cars (at least) have glass luggage racks above the seats. As for noise, they're quietest when sitting near the 1st & last articulation joints, (except on jointed track....) but I feel that the engine noise is quite obvious near the power-pack, especially when departing & in "cruise-control" mode, it's noticeably power on then power-off to keep to the desired speed.
The cruise control on my car seems to hold the requested speed on level roads with no noticeable variation in engine noise.
I'll have to watch the power meter to see if there's much variation when in cruise mode.
 

samuelmorris

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I did a couple of trips last friday in 755410 & took some pix of the interior, the driving cars (at least) have glass luggage racks above the seats. As for noise, they're quietest when sitting near the 1st & last articulation joints, (except on jointed track....) but I feel that the engine noise is quite obvious near the power-pack, especially when departing & in "cruise-control" mode, it's noticeably power on then power-off to keep to the desired speed.
The cruise control on my car seems to hold the requested speed on level roads with no noticeable variation in engine noise.
I'll have to watch the power meter to see if there's much variation when in cruise mode.
That comparison's only really fair with a CVT or hybrid car as the engine speed won't be linked to vehicle speed on diesel-electric units like the 755s. That said, the gradient changes on the rails should be nowhere near as substantial as on the roads, so for a constant speed I wouldn't expect drastic changes in power demand.
 

samuelmorris

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Yup! It indicates, in kW, how much power the puny petrol engine is delivering. Probably a gimmick but if it's accurate, a 70 mph cruise on the level only requires 30-35 kW.
That sounds accurate, depending on the size it may be less than that. In electric-only I average around 30kW at 75mph indicated, around 70-71mph GPS.
 

delticdave

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That comparison's only really fair with a CVT or hybrid car as the engine speed won't be linked to vehicle speed on diesel-electric units like the 755s. That said, the gradient changes on the rails should be nowhere near as substantial as on the roads, so for a constant speed I wouldn't expect drastic changes in power demand.

I've owned a CVT car back in the late '70's, & driven a few modern ones too. At steady speeds the engine note & rpms didn't vary overmuch. What I heard in the train was very much like notching-up & down. Is it possible that the 4 engines in a 755/4 need to be synchronised & therefore have fixed power notches / engine speeds?
HTH......
 
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I've owned a CVT car back in the late '70's, & driven a few modern ones too. At steady speeds the engine note & rpms didn't vary overmuch. What I heard in the train was very much like notching-up & down. Is it possible that the 4 engines in a 755/4 need to be synchronised & therefore have fixed power notches / engine speeds?
HTH......

Only runs on one (or as many as it chooses) engines during cruise, but will switch between them to keep them all warm and equal in terms of running hours so it may have been this you heard, coupled with the one engine perhaps working a bit harder.

Can't remember the numbers but from watching the cab screens the other day on the way to Cambridge for a bit, 90mph didn't require much to hold the cruise at all, as expected.
 

dk1

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Looks like only 1 of the 4 bimodes made it into traffic today. Two of the diagrams are now covered by 170s with the 37s coming out to play from 0836.
 

ashkeba

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BBC TV announces today as the official launch. Maybe another one or two are needed for the media... or maybe Murphy has struck another fleet launch!
 

samuelmorris

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Only runs on one (or as many as it chooses) engines during cruise, but will switch between them to keep them all warm and equal in terms of running hours so it may have been this you heard, coupled with the one engine perhaps working a bit harder.

Can't remember the numbers but from watching the cab screens the other day on the way to Cambridge for a bit, 90mph didn't require much to hold the cruise at all, as expected.
That would probably explain it then.
 

delticdave

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Only runs on one (or as many as it chooses) engines during cruise, but will switch between them to keep them all warm and equal in terms of running hours so it may have been this you heard, coupled with the one engine perhaps working a bit harder.

Can't remember the numbers but from watching the cab screens the other day on the way to Cambridge for a bit, 90mph didn't require much to hold the cruise at all, as expected.

Good point, I was wondering if all the engines were running during a walk through the power pack, I of the 4 seemed to have shut down. FWIW all the engines seem to be running at terminals, why is that?
 

Railperf

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At least two units on show at Norwich for the press launch according to Twitter, numbers 413 and 409, but 409 may have been there just for show by the sound of things. Embarrassing for GA and Stadler if that was the case. While the 40+ year old 37's roared along the line!
 

Class 170101

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Looks like only 1 of the 4 bimodes made it into traffic today. Two of the diagrams are now covered by 170s with the 37s coming out to play from 0836.

Should have been upto 5, but I think only three were in use.

Try sitting as close to the engines next time and tell us what you think. And then as close as you can to the front or rear. I would be interested to hear how you compare the 3 seating positions in terms of noise.

I thought it was noisy sitting directly behind the engine pack personally. Haven't found my preferred seat(s) yet though.
 

trebor79

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413 in service this morning. Think it's the first week it's been in service. Sat right behind the power unit and didn't think the noise was that bad actually. Mainly you can hear turbo whistle/whoosh. No vibration.
The contrast with the EMR 156 subbing for a 158 I changed to at Peterborough couldn't be starker. And I have the deep joy of a 153 from Peterborough to come!
 

eastdyke

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25 Jan 2010
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Just got on the 7.17 to Liverpool Street at Ipswich and there's a Stansted FLIRT being hauled through Platform 3 on delivery.
More sidings please!!
Was in Norwich Tuesday and saw works onging at Victoria Sidings. Old track all gone, working hard on a new formation. Are we getting 4 new roads (ie like for like) or can they squeeze 5 in?
 

dk1

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More sidings please!!
Was in Norwich Tuesday and saw works onging at Victoria Sidings. Old track all gone, working hard on a new formation. Are we getting 4 new roads (ie like for like) or can they squeeze 5 in?
Four still. All 12-car & wired.
 

MikePJ

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10 Dec 2015
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For the folks asking about luggage racks: I was travelling with a wheeled suitcase on Tuesday and there was a luggage rack right by the door in the second coach.
 

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