Trainfan344
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Wish they'd approve 755s for passenger use in multiple
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Abellio Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)
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dk1
Veteran Member
Doesn’t everyone. Lots more testing yet apparently.
RailWonderer
Established Member
I cannot understand why the 755 needs months of testing to run in multiple when all other types of train can do it almost straight from the off.
The only issue it could be is software. We know that individual units are on different versions of the software, at least as ASDO is concerned, but even then I don’t see why it would take so long.
The only issue it could be is software. We know that individual units are on different versions of the software, at least as ASDO is concerned, but even then I don’t see why it would take so long.
Testing every possible permutation of software version and scenario will give you thousands of individual tests, which cannot be simulated outside of real world conditions. Taking several trains out of services is not practical. Some of those tests are likely to fail, which is when the process starts again.
Sure, testing software can be complex, especially where it interacts with the physical. But surely coupling trains is basic functionality? Isn't this something that would be tested before the trains were handed over by the manufacturer?
dk1
Veteran Member
Blimey we wouldnt have one in service yet if that was the case
43096
On Moderation
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Perhaps it’s not top priority currently as they’re working on improving reliability?
Your ire might better be directed at the company formerly known as Bombardier and their inability to get trains into service, with deliveries paused again.
"Go", "Stop" and "Toot the horn" is basic functionality. Coupling trains to each other is a luxury.
samuelmorris
Established Member
As much as the 755s had a relatively swift introduction compared to other new entrants to the UK market, aren't we now at the point where it's taken over 2 years to get multiple working permitted? Of course covid slows things down but that seems an exceptionally long time if there isn't an underlying flaw with the units that's requiring more than just tests to resolve.
Perhaps, but also it's not a priority. The core routes for the units don't require multiple working, through working to London in multiple is an aspiration that may or may not still make sense
Railperf
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Looks like Stadler and GA have their hands full trying to.maintain enoufh 745s for Norwich and Stansteds
grumpyoldman01
Member
I travelled on some 755s earlier this week, and had an interesting conversation with the conductor on a Norwich - Sheringham service
It started by me asking how the doors were worked as I noticed that the conductors were issuing tickets whilst the trains were stationary, and that they then just moved off, and he explained how all door operations were controlled by the driver; the conversation then moved to loadings as I noticed that most of the trains seemed to be reasonably well filled, and he said that conductors were selling "loads" of tickets on regional services, that London trains leaving Norwich after 9am were often "heaving", but if the earlier trains (to London) had 30 passengers on board, then it was a good load!
I commented on the fact that I'd seen Stansted sets on some London services, and he said that although the 755s were "very reliable" - he said something like if one fails, all that's necessary is a re-boot, then off it goes again - there were big problems with the 745s; he opined that this was due to two factors - not enough sets being procured for the Norwich service in the first place and Stadler getting rid of too many maintenance staff after taking over Crown Point, this meaning that they were struggling to meet their commitments. The need to substitute Stansted sets on Norwich services was costing Greater Anglia dearly, as they were having to refund the first-class premium on first-class tickets sold for services which had to be operated by the Stansteds; consequently, he understood that the Stansted sets were to be upgraded to match the Norwich ones, that they would work only on the GE main line, and that some of the Aventras still to be delivered would have tables, etc, and form a dedicated sub-fleet to work between Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport.
A few observations about 755s; firstly, many passengers stop, look at the gap-filler between train and platform, and then carefully step over it, and secondly, I heard at least two passengers look into the tabled area between the doors and the inter-car gangways and say "that's first class!" (or something similar), and then turn and sit in the uni-directional seating. From overheard snippets of conversations, passengers do seem to like the trains, but I was surprised how worn some of the seat coverings already seem to be.
I saw a pair of class 755s on test at Cromer on Wednesday morning (30th June), but I didn't take note of the set numbers - it was a 3-car + 4-car combination; it was interesting to see Salhouse on the front destination box! I hadn't realised that approval hadn't been given for multiple working of 755s as I saw the train departure board at Sheringham on one day last summer showing that the next departure for Norwich would be formed of six cars.
I recognise that the emergence of a pandemic and the country going into Lockdown wouldn't have figured in their plans, but it does rather seem as if Greater Anglia procured too many 755s for their regional services, and it will be interesting to see if they get used differently when Great British Railways gets going; every time I visited Norwich station there was a set parked-up between platforms 4 and 5, there always seem to be some on Crown Point depot (I've passed it six times between Sunday and Wednesday), and there were at least three parked up in the sidings adjacent to the bridge which carries the A146 over the GE Main Line (Trowse?) on Tuesday morning. As EMR can't get all of the 170s it wants, could some 755s be used on what are presently its services from Norwich to the East Midlands?
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
They haven't; the six car indication comes when there's been a unit swap on the diagram and the system sometimes thinks both the original and the substitute unit are on the service.
grumpyoldman01
Member
Thanks for that information
I did try to get back to Sheringham station to see how they accommodated a 6-car train in the station's platform, but I wasn't successful; glad I didn't have a wasted journey!
Just passed a pair of 755s at Welwyn Garden City working 5Q54 from Crown Point to Hornsey (https://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/K05113/2021-07-12). Visit to wheel lathe perhaps?
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Multiple posts on se-gen have these as 755 330 + 755 335 and yes, it's a routine lathe visit.
317666
Established Member
I've noticed today that 755407 has received large stickers over the windows denoting the cycle and wheelchair areas.
ashkeba
Established Member
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Above or covering the windows? There were coloured stripes above the windows from the start.
317666
Established Member
Covering the windows, the stripes are still there.
170TurboFan
Member
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- 25 Jul 2018
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755412 also has new stickers believe all the units are getting them
ashkeba
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Are there German/Danish style big symbols or do they block the view out like those silly bus adverts? Any pics?
317666
Established Member
Big symbols.
170TurboFan
Member
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Have only seen the picture of 755412 from facebook but will hopefully be on one with the stickers soon
317666
Established Member
Agreed. The units have a black triangle next to the number at the bike area end, but the average passenger isn't going to know what it means.
Abbo
Member
I had a dream !
If the NiN are resurected and remain booked for 2 x 755 would it be nice if hald started from Sheringham and half from Yarmouth and joined at Norwich recreating through trains of the past. Might help the loadings too !
If the NiN are resurected and remain booked for 2 x 755 would it be nice if hald started from Sheringham and half from Yarmouth and joined at Norwich recreating through trains of the past. Might help the loadings too !
dk1
Veteran Member
With Ni90 departures at 08:00 & 09:00 only the 08:17 ex-Yarmouth would feasibly be a possibility when these trains hopefully resume in September. Likewise on the returns at 17:00 & 19:00 just Yarmouth (18:40/20:40) would be of any use.
Not really, no. As a fantasy maybe, but in terms of business passengers pointless. Might get the odd leisure passenger, but tiny numbers id suspect.
306024
Established Member
Not unknown if a 321 with a suitable lavatory is not available, but the Harwich branch is a 321 most of the time.