Abellio Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)

[superalbs]

I heard one of these at Velim test track a few days, and I was a few metres away, it was very loud. It sounded like fans were blowing very hard, sadly didn't see it moving, just heard it starting up. But they look fantastic!

Two images attached, sadly it was too far away and dark for anything good (delayed train caused me to arrive there late).

 

[Class 170101]

I spotted this walkthrough filmed at Innotrans - the "engine room corridor" at 1:05 has a rather marine/industrial aesthetic! I wouldn't be surprised if GA put some large vinyls on those maintenance hatches.

As long as its still bright when they do and doesn't make it dark there when passing through.

 

[Bornin1980s]

I spotted this walkthrough filmed at Innotrans - the "engine room corridor" at 1:05 has a rather marine/industrial aesthetic! I wouldn't be surprised if GA put some large vinyls on those maintenance hatches.

I would have preferred windows to the engines themselves. Maybe fire regulations put paid to that.

 

[eastdyke]

I would have preferred windows to the engines themselves ......

To give a fine view of the sound insulation/absorption panels?

 

[jopsuk]

I spotted this walkthrough filmed at Innotrans - the "engine room corridor" at 1:05 has a rather marine/industrial aesthetic! I wouldn't be surprised if GA put some large vinyls on those maintenance hatches.

I hadn't appreciated that the corridor is level through most of the train- that the seats at the end of each carriage over the Jacobs bogies are raised, but there's still a low floor through the middle.

 

[dk1]

Was informed yesterday that it's now the first week of November that the initial 4-car 755 arrives via the tunnel. There should then be a few more here in time for Christmas.

 

[chubs]

I hadn't appreciated that the corridor is level through most of the train- that the seats at the end of each carriage over the Jacobs bogies are raised, but there's still a low floor through the middle.

Me either, I had been wondering about the raised bits and how people (and trolleys on the intercity variant) would cope but this makes a lot more sense!

 

[trebor79]

Do we know which routes will get the new trains first? I know it's regional and then intercity but is there any more details than that?

 

[47421]

and any more info on whether the hourly Norwich Cambridge will be extended through to Stansted A all day from May 19 as reqd by Franchise Agreement?

 

[dk1]

and any more info on whether the hourly Norwich Cambridge will be extended through to Stansted A all day from May 19 as reqd by Franchise Agreement?

From what we've been told that's all been put on the back burner with no definite date. Supposedly only the Norwich in 90 will happen in May with x2 755s. All very fluid still.

 

[MikePJ]

From what we've been told that's all been put on the back burner with no definite date. Supposedly only the Norwich in 90 will happen in May with x2 755s. All very fluid still.

It'll be interesting to see how long the acceptance testing takes. Given that this is Stadler's first train for the UK market, I would not be surprised if they find some unexpected electromagnetic compatibility gremlins.

 

[Tam]

I heard one of these at Velim test track a few days, and I was a few metres away, it was very loud. It sounded like fans were blowing very hard, sadly didn't see it moving, just heard it starting up. But they look fantastic!

It's a pity you weren't there yesterday (Friday 28th) as despite being a national holiday here, one unit was hurtling around the big circuit from around 2pm until I left around 5pm. The other unit was in the yard.

To anyone who can't get to Velim to hear one, just go to Hounslow, stand under the Heathrow flight-path and wait for a 747 to land and that will give you some idea of the sound

I will post some videos shortly.

 

[Tam]

Lots of wind noise unfortunately. More to follow shortly.

https://streamable.com/8e2j6

https://streamable.com/1889s (note the old man picking fruit by the trackside at around 10 seconds - very close to the train)

https://streamable.com/ii39g

https://streamable.com/3lbwy

 

[Tam]

More videos from Velim, 28/9/18.

https://streamable.com/f4ah6

https://streamable.com/z0at2

https://streamable.com/mi7lr

https://streamable.com/iut02

https://streamable.com/ud4ab

https://streamable.com/wuczy

https://streamable.com/2tktb

https://streamable.com/484ld

https://streamable.com/dmpw7

 

[jopsuk]

In the first video- have I missed something or is that the first we've seen of an electric set, even if static? Has it been out testing yet?

 

[Tam]

In the first video- have I missed something or is that the first we've seen of an electric set, even if static? Has it been out testing yet?

I was just about to ask about that second unit. I thought it was the same as the one in the videos, but it doesn't appear to have a separate power unit (I'm not a train guy, I'm just a cyclist with a camera). See this (rather shaky) video of the static one from the other side, through a chainlink fence unfortunately.

https://streamable.com/q40c2

 

[Tam]

...I have not seen it out testing yet. Weather permitting I will go back there tomorrow for another mooch aboot.

 

[332 > 444]

Looks like a 745 is there too.

 

[dp21]

In the first video- have I missed something or is that the first we've seen of an electric set, even if static? Has it been out testing yet?

That is indeed 745 101. First Stansted unit. Easy way to tell the difference even just looking at the cab is that they're primarily white on the front rather than the bi mode grey.

 

[Tam]

I have some photos of the 745 at Velim, is this the correct thread to post them, or does it have a thread of its own?

 

[332 > 444]

Go right ahead, this thread is for all GA FLIRTs.

 

[Tam]

745 at Velim yesterday (28/09/18).

 

[pt_mad]

It's bizarre. The livery on these looks so overly perfect in terms of following the symettey and lines on the unit that I always feel photos look kind of like an artist's impression rather than totally real.

It ain't half square looking though. With that black band, the windows look very Voyager ish.

 

[mmh]

If they're that loud on electricity what on earth are they like on diesel? At least the interior looks better than I feared, but I notice poor legroom in the window seats from the seat design and mediocre seat to window layout despite the narrow windows. The corridor through the power car looks awful I'm afraid. Why is it so narrow, and why does it need to be through the middle rather than along one side which would allow there to be windows?

 

[Class 170101]

745 at Velim yesterday (28/09/18).

Are the 1st and second shots also include a TPE unit?

 

[Tam]

Why is it so narrow, and why does it need to be through the middle rather than along one side which would allow there to be windows?

I'm guessing that both external sides are used for thermal (and possibly noise) venting, or that it's easier for maintenance access, or both.

 

[Tam]

Are the 1st and second shots also include a TPE unit?

Yes, 2 actually, coupled together.

 

[AlexNL]

If they're that loud on electricity what on earth are they like on diesel?

Richard Clinnick posted a video of a 755/4 accelerating on diesel:

https://twitter.com/Clinnick1/status/1037681185097482240

At least the interior looks better than I feared,

GA are aiming for an intercity experience on a regional train. I think they'll do quite well.

but I notice poor legroom in the window seats from the seat design and mediocre seat to window layout despite the narrow windows.

I guess that's a consequence of the primary function of these units - move people. Not every passenger values a great seat-window alignment, either.

The corridor through the power car looks awful I'm afraid. Why is it so narrow, and why does it need to be through the middle rather than along one side which would allow there to be windows?

The 755/4 power pack houses 4 diesel engines. These are placed on either side of the power pack to allow good serviceability for staff, and to properly distribute the weight of the engines.

 

[Wivenswold]

I used to hunt out the seats without windows next to them on the commute home, with a jumper placed between head and wall, they are perfect for nodding off.

 

[samuelmorris]

If they're that loud on electricity what on earth are they like on diesel?

Considering that looks like 100mph testing(?) the noise level doesn't seem that bad. Might be slightly noisier than, say, a 360, but compared to a 321?