Abellio Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)

[dk1]

No, just makes the train smell of oranges

I like that

 

[Tug]

Restrictions may have been lifted but we seem to have more cancellations around Norwich today than we have had over the last week.

Have they moved some stock to use elsewhere?

How many 755 units are not being used/ in service?

 

[eastdyke]

Update 0530: ALL restrictions removed on the 755's normal working resumed ! in the Colchester PSB area, trying to find out about rural areas, but assume similar ?
Edit 0700: Normal on the Cromer, so reckon it is Region wide

Is that the new normal or the old normal?
Still nothing to/from Sheringham and a number of cancellations today to/from Cromer.
Journey times so far today around 10L compared to WTT.
The most recent service ex Cromer 0955 can be followed on RTT here:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G07543/2019-12-13/detailed
The most recent service ex Norwich 0945 is here:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/L73019/2019-12-13/detailed
As I type it is 16L from Wroxham and Hoveton.
If the delays continue the service will need to revert to 2 hourly, down to the single line sections

 

[47421]

Update 0530: ALL restrictions removed on the 755's normal working resumed ! in the Colchester PSB area, trying to find out about rural areas, but assume similar ?

Edit 0700: Normal on the Cromer, so reckon it is Region wide

Good news, does that include operating on electric? So we can look forward to the Norwich Stansted Apt direct services starting Sunday.

 

[Grumbler]

Not sure anyone bothered to ask NR, if the GA Ops had no idea, what chance did NR have ! lol

NR inform operators of TSRs, weight limits etc. so surely they can do the same for their train detection system? Or do they just leave it to chance?

 

[F Great Eastern]

There were restrictions on the the Stadlers?

I thought the restrictions were caused by the signalling system and NOTHING to do with the new trains from what GA were saying.

 

[LAX54]

Is that the new normal or the old normal?
Still nothing to/from Sheringham and a number of cancellations today to/from Cromer.
Journey times so far today around 10L compared to WTT.
The most recent service ex Cromer 0955 can be followed on RTT here:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G07543/2019-12-13/detailed
The most recent service ex Norwich 0945 is here:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/L73019/2019-12-13/detailed
As I type it is 16L from Wroxham and Hoveton.
If the delays continue the service will need to revert to 2 hourly, down to the single line sections

It seems the clearing of 755s were done overnight, so assume GA had no crews to hand, The Felixstowe went back hourly at 1000, but other routes still struggling, it seems there are still issues on the Cromer for 755s, but legacy units can run OK, but seems there are none to hand at the mo ! (1300)

Stansted still planned to run from new WTT.

Last day of the RHTTs too

 

[LAX54]

NR inform operators of TSRs, weight limits etc. so surely they can do the same for their train detection system? Or do they just leave it to chance?

We are getting the impression that maybe the TCA's under diesel mode are, maybe not up to spec ? whilst when under OHL, they are fine.

 

[eastdyke]

Last day of the RHTTs too

In theory - will a set/sets be retained for a few days or is this a case of 'thats it'?
Cheers!

We are getting the impression that maybe the TCA's under diesel mode are, maybe not up to spec ? whilst when under OHL, they are fine.

Is anyone able to confirm which bogies on the 755's are fitted with the TCAs please?
Thanks!

 

[86246]

Just travelled on 411 which was on a Ipswich - Cambridge service. It was in diesel mode to Stowmarket.

About five rail replacement buses were parked outside Ipswich station.

 

[LAX54]

Just travelled on 411 which was on a Ipswich - Cambridge service. It was in diesel mode to Stowmarket.

About five rail replacement buses were parked outside Ipswich station.

Think still barred on OHL for BMU's until the Pan problem is rectified.

 

[43096]

We are getting the impression that maybe the TCA's under diesel mode are, maybe not up to spec ? whilst when under OHL, they are fine.

Was it the TCAs though, or something else?

Am I right in thinking the 755s have vehicle mounted flange lubricator? Maybe the lubrication was mixing with leaf debris and wasn’t being cleared by the scrubbing blocks? Pure guess/theory on my part.

 

[LAX54]

Was it the TCAs though, or something else?

Am I right in thinking the 755s have vehicle mounted flange lubricator? Maybe the lubrication was mixing with leaf debris and wasn’t being cleared by the scrubbing blocks? Pure guess/theory on my part.

They do, or had ! they were removed on the first day of the problems, also advised wheels are getting or were getting a thin coat of rust. whilst running, but whatever it was, they must have found a solution to get them back in traffic on most of the routes

 

[mawallace]

Latest statement from the MD on their website:-

We are very sorry for the disruption customers on our rural routes have experienced this week. We know how frustrating poor service is and we’re working hard to restore them. Today we have been able to put in more services and from Monday we aim to restore a full service on all routes except Norwich to Sheringham and Ipswich to Peterborough.

We are running a series of rigorous tests to identify the root cause of the problems, including examining the impact of leaf contamination, the level crossing mechanisms and how trains’ wheels connect with the track signalling system.

We’re very sorry for letting our passengers down and promise them we are determined to restore the good service they deserve as quickly as we can.

 

[LAX54]

seems GO AHEAD in Germany was supposed to launch a fleet of Flirts on Sunday for the new timetable, seems they are faulty, and they have hired in old DB Coaches and some Electric Locos to try and plug the gap !

 

[Midnight Sun]

Ipswich-Peterborough services cancelled until further notice, Mini bus between Peterborough and Ely calling at Manea and Whittlesea, To get to Bury and Ispswich travel via Cambridge. The mini bus used today is a joke, just two bench seats facing inwards.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Latest statement from the MD on their website:-

Theres quite a lot in here including not listening to rumor mongers

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/abo...greater-anglia-rail-disruption-in-norfolk-and

 

[F Great Eastern]

So, Greater Anglia have basically decided to point the fingers at the local press and their critics with a little bite at them this evening on a statement on their website.

You may have seen some media headlines claiming that our new Stadler trains are the sole cause of all these problems. This is categorically not true.

We do not know the full picture yet and it is not appropriate to rely on rumours (which are being spread by people who are not directly involved in the investigation and in many cases not even in the rail industry).

Greater Anglia should focus on providing a good service and learning from issues that occur. That is the very best way to shut the media and their critics up. Things seemed to be getting better today and hopefully they will over the rest of the weekend and coming days.

 

[trebor79]

That's actually quite a good FAQ page.

 

[F Great Eastern]

That's actually quite a good FAQ page.

It's informative and useful in places, that's for sure.

Would have been even better if they just stuck to writing the FAQ instead of trying to slip a dig that was clearly aimed at the EDP and a certain well known EADT journalist.

They say the FLIRTS are not the problem, but then go on to talk about a number of things/measures being taken that only apply to the FLIRTS and how closely they are working with Stadler on these things. Surely if it was not fleet specific they'd be taking all of the same measures on the rest of the DMU fleet as well, no?

 

[LAX54]

Smile for the day? Just heard that there is a 755 in the Low Level at Norwich, that someone has written 'BASIL' along one of the coaches ! lol

 

[LAX54]

That's actually quite a good FAQ page.

But it is still trying to pass the buck to NR, and does not explain why every other unit or train, works just fine ! There are still 'issues' on the Cromer line agreed, and maybe March to Peterboro, but as for the rest, NR are normal working and have been for sometime.

GO-AHEAD in Germany which are supposed to be bringing a fleet of Stadlers in on the 15th, are now not, due to faults on the trains, and are having to source 'old' stock/locos from DB to maintain a service.

 

[Grumbler]

But it is still trying to pass the buck to NR, and does not explain why every other unit or train, works just fine ! There are still 'issues' on the Cromer line agreed, and maybe March to Peterboro, but as for the rest, NR are normal working and have been for sometime.

So, the characteristics of the TCs vary from location to location. If NR can't (or won't) quantify the amount of electricity the trains must conduct (even if with leaf contamination at the wheel/rail interface) to activate the TCs, then they can hardly blame the manufacturers! Perhaps they need a different technology e.g. a wireless signal which gets interrupted by the presence of a train.

 

[100andthirty]

We are getting the impression that maybe the TCA's under diesel mode are, maybe not up to spec ? whilst when under OHL, they are fine.

A great feature of running on 25kV is that the return current goes to the track and "punches through" the leaf debris irrespective of TCAs

 

[43096]

Smile for the day? Just heard that there is a 755 in the Low Level at Norwich, that someone has written 'BASIL' along one of the coaches ! lol

So a train out of service whilst they clean it off. Given the shortage of trains, that’s not something to smile about.

 

[dk1]

So a train out of service whilst they clean it off. Given the shortage of trains, that’s not something to smile about.

It's only written in the dirt that the washer can't get at on the lower bodywork. It's not paint. Was giving us all a laugh yesterday each time we saw it.

 

[Grumbler]

It's only written in the dirt that the washer can't get at on the lower bodywork. It's not paint. Was giving us all a laugh yesterday each time we saw it.

Perhaps the 755s can be officially named Basil, Sybil, Manuel etc.?

 

[dk1]

Perhaps the 755s can be officially named Basil, Sybil, Manuel etc.?

The 745s are Sybil's, Crown Point Fawlty Towers & Taylor Woodrow where nicknamed O'Rileys Engineering

 

[Grumbler]

The 745s are Sybil's, Crown Point Fawlty Towers & Taylor Woodrow where nicknamed O'Rileys Engineering

What about the Colonel (or was it Major?)

 

[dk1]

What about the Colonel (or was it Major?)

Haha, I'm sure we can fit somebody to that character. It was the Major.