Abellio Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)

[themiller]

Probably not adding much to this learned discussion, but my family and I travelled on several FLIRT units in Switzerland recently. We found them smooth riding and comfortable. I live in the GA area & will be happy to see them here. The present stock is definitely beginning to look "heritage".

I have no doubts that the FLIRTs rode well but SBB, BLS et al maintain their track to a higher standard than NR - at least that's my impression during visits to Switzerland over the years.

 

[Goldfish62]

I have no doubts that the FLIRTs rode well but SBB, BLS et al maintain their track to a higher standard than NR - at least that's my impression during visits to Switzerland over the years.

This was found to be the case with the 458s, which use French suburban bogies as I understand. When they were first delivered the ride quality was very rough which was put down to the bogies not being adjusted for lower track standards. Subsequent modifications have improved the ride quality. When the Desiro UK was being developed I understand that a section of the test track was actually laid to simulate the poorer track quality on the LSE third rail network.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It is quite noticeable how rough Desiros are on SWR compared with the much better track on the WCML.

 

[Goldfish62]

It is quite noticeable how rough Desiros are on SWR compared with the much better track on the WCML.

Agreed.

 

[axlecounter]

A cool related (sort of) picture:
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/667313/

 

[dp21]

405 should be the first unit to appear in the UK in October - the same one which will be formally launched at Innotrans next month.

Having been lucky enough to go and see one in commissioning they feel open and airy (albeit there was no interior yet). The power pack corridor isn't enormous in width but is easily tall enough for someone 6ft 4/5.

The cab is a nice place to be too.

Looking forward to getting them in the UK.

 

[Wivenswold]

How very exciting. I assume 405 will be decked out with recording equipment when it arrives. Then fully kitted-out units will follow in due course.

I can't wait to see them in the flesh.

 

[dp21]

How very exciting. I assume 405 will be decked out with recording equipment when it arrives. Then fully kitted-out units will follow in due course.

I can't wait to see them in the flesh.

My understanding is that 405 will be the first one fitted out with full interior (because Stadler will want to show off the full interior in Berlin) so I imagine they'll have to be quite sensitive with the testing kit fitment.

I think the ones in Romania, Velim and elsewhere are fitted out with kit at present.

Time will tell what actually happens!

 

[Martin222002]

Just came across the below photo of 755401 in the September issues of Today's Railways which seems to show that the 4 car Flirt 755/4s will feature a small first class section.

This is the first I've been aware of the 755s having any first class, and that any of the new trains ordered by GA that would have any first class beyond the 745/1s for the London-Norwich services.

 

[JaJaWa]

Just came across the below photo of 755401 in the September issues of Today's Railways which seems to show that the 4 car Flirt 755/4s will feature a small first class section.

This is the first I've been aware of the 755s having any first class, and that any of the new trains ordered by GA that would have any first class beyond the 745/1s for the London-Norwich services.

What's the difference between the green and yellow marked areas?

 

[Wivenswold]

I wonder whether GA have had a rethink about revenues. 1st class is probably a good earner. If passenger numbers are in decline and projections suggest the same then it would make sense to retain it on all trains.

A report was published this week suggesting that less than 10% of office workers do 9-5 now. With home working becoming widespread perhaps peak hours and therefore the spread of passengers is changing. Could have gone for 2+2 after all. I'm joking, I think.

 

[Doomotron]

Could have gone for 2+2 after all.

I don't know where you're coming from. Are they 2+1 or (heavens forbid) 2+3?

 

[dk1]

I don't know where you're coming from. Are they 2+1 or (heavens forbid) 2+3?

Bombardier 720 units will be 2+3.

 

[Doomotron]

Bombardier 720 units will be 2+3.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Bombardier 720 units will be 2+3.

I'm still sceptical how they are going to get up to 113 people seated in a carriage without substantially downgrading comfort over a 360.

 

[chubs]

What local routes have 1st now, is it just Norwich - Cambridge and if so what happens when a 170 works to the coast, declassified 1st?

Cant see the point of it on the locals myself, I forget it's even there when boarding a 170 and if you are only heading as far as Ely and just take the first train you may well end up on an EMT 158 without it anyway.

 

[F Great Eastern]

What local routes have 1st now, is it just Norwich - Cambridge and if so what happens when a 170 works to the coast, declassified 1st?

And Ipswich to Cambridge / Peterborough as well as about 50% of Ipswich to Lowestoft.

 

[dk1]

What local routes have 1st now, is it just Norwich - Cambridge and if so what happens when a 170 works to the coast, declassified 1st?

Cant see the point of it on the locals myself, I forget it's even there when boarding a 170 and if you are only heading as far as Ely and just take the first train you may well end up on an EMT 158 without it anyway.

All Cambridge services bar a couple are advertised as having 1st class & fares available but frequent substitutions just appear on the screen & on journey check as 'not available'. Those other local routes where 170s are diagrammed even show this in the timetables but are very hit & miss & I don't know why it's worth showing at all. Guards will usually insist on standard class passengers moving out unless the train is crowded as Anglia introduced a £5 supplement when 170s where introduced back in 1999.

 

[dk1]

I'm still sceptical how they are going to get up to 113 people seated in a carriage without substantially downgrading comfort over a 360.

It's going to be interesting. Driver Instructors are in Romania this week & next for Stadler training but heard very little about the 720s.

 

[samuelmorris]

I'm still sceptical how they are going to get up to 113 people seated in a carriage without substantially downgrading comfort over a 360.

We have both a seating diagram and a 'VR' image demonstrating the seat pitch spacing in a standard carriage. That should demonstrate it pretty well. 113 seats in the MS2 and MS3 of the 5-car, in the MS2A, PMS, MS3 and MS2B vehicles of the 10-car. All other vehicles will have fewer due to disabled spaces, toilets, end table or tip-up areas etc.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm still sceptical how they are going to get up to 113 people seated in a carriage without substantially downgrading comfort over a 360.

Probably not too difficult. A Class 350/2 vehicle without bog nor cab would have 8 "bays" (one per window) plus two extra seats by making one side of the centre section airline seating and packing it in a bit - so on a simple level that's 82. A 24m vehicle (rather than a 20m one) fits in 2 more bays at about 2m spacing each, so that's 102. More airline seats rather than facing and the tip-ups (16?) get you there easily enough.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Just came across the below photo of 755401 in the September issues of Today's Railways which seems to show that the 4 car Flirt 755/4s will feature a small first class section.

This is the first I've been aware of the 755s having any first class, and that any of the new trains ordered by GA that would have any first class beyond the 745/1s for the London-Norwich services.

That is a surprise. Maybe they've also been sensible enough to have a single layout for IC and Stansted Express?

I wonder what the A bit is? Accessible? I guess the accessible bog takes up some of 1st, then?

 

[samuelmorris]

The (720 113-seat) vehicles in question have:
20x 2-airline [40]
8x 2-bay (4 bays) [16]
16x 3-bay (8 bays) [48]
3x 3-airline [9]

 

[Rick1984]

I wonder what the A bit is? Accessible? I guess the accessible bog takes up some of 1st, then?

Makes sense. Means 1st class and std. can use the accessible toilet. Personally I wouldn't have bothered with 1st class on these trains. Seems a waste.

 

[Domh245]

That is a surprise. Maybe they've also been sensible enough to have a single layout for IC and Stansted Express?

I wonder what the A bit is? Accessible? I guess the accessible bog takes up some of 1st, then?

Assuming that the decal colour choice has remained consistent, Green indicates a bike area, blue indicates a wheelchair accessible area. Can't think what the A stands for though.

 

[dp21]

To clear a few things up.

Just came across the below photo of 755401 in the September issues of Today's Railways which seems to show that the 4 car Flirt 755/4s will feature a small first class section.

This is the first I've been aware of the 755s having any first class, and that any of the new trains ordered by GA that would have any first class beyond the 745/1s for the London-Norwich services.

The only units to have 1st class will be the 745/0s (the IC units). The labelling on the outside of 755401 was a proof of concept and proof that the vinyls work etc. I initially thought it would have a small 1st class section too but was swiftly corrected.

What's the difference between the green and yellow marked areas?

Yellow is 1st class, green is for bicycles, blue is for PRM facilities. I don't believe red is being used for the buffet however I'll wait and see.

 

[dp21]

Assuming that the decal colour choice has remained consistent, Green indicates a bike area, blue indicates a wheelchair accessible area. Can't think what the A stands for though.

Must have been seconds in it you having posted first!

The A is, again, just proof of concept along with the quiet coach logo. They will be used for the IC units with coaches A-M displayed.

 

[Domh245]

Must have been seconds in it you having posted first!

The A is, again, just proof of concept along with the quiet coach logo. They will be used for the IC units with coaches A-M displayed.

That makes sense. I had thought about the possibility of a portion of the fleet having a small first class section for use on their services into London, but I suppose that it wouldn't be worth it given the relative frequency of those services.

 

[dp21]

That makes sense. I had thought about the possibility of a portion of the fleet having a small first class section for use on their services into London, but I suppose that it wouldn't be worth it given the relative frequency of those services.

Yup introducing sub fleets in that respect just adds operational difficulty and complexity.

 

[Martin222002]

To clear a few things up.

The only units to have 1st class will be the 745/0s (the IC units). The labelling on the outside of 755401 was a proof of concept and proof that the vinyls work etc. I initially thought it would have a small 1st class section too but was swiftly corrected.

Cheers for clarifying that, as it did quite surprise me when I saw the photo.