Abellio Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)

[720144]

There weren't many IC trains running on the Norwich run yesterday, Stansted express unit sub up and down for me

Yes that’s all fixed now, 005 is on the 19:00dn in which would be worked by a Stansted unit.

 

[saismee]

Yes that’s all fixed now, 005 is on the 19:00dn in which would be worked by a Stansted unit.

We love a bit of declassified first! Everyone's always too scared to sit in it, it's always completely empty.

 

[Adrian1980uk]

We love a bit of declassified first! Everyone's always too scared to sit in it, it's always completely empty.

Novel isn't it, always apologising for no first vs first on unscheduled... How long before they merge the fleets so they are all the same

 

[saismee]

Novel isn't it, always apologising for no first vs first on unscheduled... How long before they merge the fleets so they are all the same

Years from now. There's little reason for the DfT to approve a refurbishment on brand new trains, which would be required to bring the 745/1s in line with the 745/0s. I think the new retrofitted tables (you can tell by the metal plate on the floor) is a decent compromise - first class ticket holders get reimbursed if there's a late set swap.

GA get penalised for running services with too few seats (755 triple traction or 745/1 on intercity), so the DfT might want to keep that extra revenue coming in... not everyone with a first class ticket is going to bother to have it reimbursed! For now, I'll happily take advantage of declassified first whenever I can, especially when I'm the only one in two whole coaches!

 

[720144]

We love a bit of declassified first! Everyone's always too scared to sit in it, it's always completely empty.

I don’t think it would be declassified all the time. Possibly the guard/train manager might’ve sold first class tickets to whoever sat down in first class even though it’s a late swap off Stansted.

Looking on rtt, 005 was booked on Stansted all day from the start of service in which would’ve been worked by 745104, But that instead worked the 06:25dn.

 

[dk1]

I don’t think it would be declassified all the time. Possibly the guard/train manager might’ve sold first class tickets to whoever sat down in first class even though it’s a late swap off Stansted.

Looking on rtt, 005 was booked on Stansted all day from the start of service in which would’ve been worked by 745104, But that instead worked the 06:25dn.

Yes 1st class remains if on the Great Eastern route regardless of whether it’s booked to be a 745/0 or a 745/1. It’s only declassified on the West or at the Senior Conductors discretion if the train is overcrowded.

 

[saismee]

Yes 1st class remains if on the Great Eastern route regardless of whether it’s booked to be a 745/0 or a 745/1. It’s only declassified on the West or at the Senior Conductors discretion if the train is overcrowded.

Really? I think that's a little ridiculous but I guess it makes sense as the guard is still present to sell upgrades, unlike on a lot of other operators. I was reading a thread from 2019 (around the same time GA's first class was getting flipped upside down with new units) where the general consensus was that if it was scheduled as standard only, first class is declassified. I'd like to get @yorkie's opinion on this one, now that its been almost 6 years (!!) since that post.

 

[dk1]

Really? I think that's a little ridiculous but I guess it makes sense as the guard is still present to sell upgrades, unlike on a lot of other operators. I was reading a thread from 2019 (around the same time GA's first class was getting flipped upside down with new units) where the general consensus was that if it was scheduled as standard only, first class is declassified. I'd like to get @yorkie's opinion on this one, now that its been almost 6 years (!!) since that post.

Why would you allow passengers to sit in 1st class on a route where it’s available when standard ones are empty?

 

[saismee]

Why would you allow passengers to sit in 1st class on a route where it’s available when standard ones are empty?

The answer seems to differ between operators. TL have fully declassified first on some routes, but I think those routes are DOO. Why announce that the train is not scheduled to have first class as it arrives into a station? It's not very relevant info unless the seating were declassified.

 

[dk1]

The answer seems to differ between operators. TL have fully declassified first on some routes, but I think those routes are DOO. Why announce that the train is not scheduled to have first class as it arrives into a station? It's not very relevant info unless the seating were declassified.

Yes we are very different on the Norwich-London route. Remember all our services have a guard and most have catering too.

 

[chubs]

It's even more ridiculous to have 1st on some services and not on others, but that's what we're stuck with.

I sitll love the trains I just wish there were a few more of each subclass.

 

[Adrian1980uk]

Years from now. There's little reason for the DfT to approve a refurbishment on brand new trains, which would be required to bring the 745/1s in line with the 745/0s. I think the new retrofitted tables (you can tell by the metal plate on the floor) is a decent compromise - first class ticket holders get reimbursed if there's a late set swap.

GA get penalised for running services with too few seats (755 triple traction or 745/1 on intercity), so the DfT might want to keep that extra revenue coming in... not everyone with a first class ticket is going to bother to have it reimbursed! For now, I'll happily take advantage of declassified first whenever I can, especially when I'm the only one in two whole coaches!

I'm thinking another 5 years time ( when do trains become not new, they are 5 years old )

I'd also caution the assumption 745s will be upgraded to intercity standard, I would suggest the other way around.

 

[dk1]

I'd also caution the assumption 745s will be upgraded to intercity standard, I would suggest the other way around.

The 745/1s are being upgraded with tables. Are you expecting the 745/0s to lose their 1st class and cafe bar?

 

[Adrian1980uk]

The 745/1s are being upgraded with tables. Are you expecting the 745/0s to lose their 1st class and cafe bar?

I'm suspecting that will happen when they get refurbished in 5 or 10 years

 

[dk1]

I'm suspecting that will happen when they get refurbished in 5 or 10 years

Very difficult to say but I can’t see it personally. The refurb will I expect will just be seat covers and light refresh.

 

[saismee]

I can't see first being removed either. It's definitely a worthwhile upgrade on certain busy services, provided you have a railcard and advance tickets.

 

[wagnaga]

Is the acceleration performance of the 755’s good enough to support the Ipswich to Cambridge service always stopping of Kennet and Dullingham rather than alternating?

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

Is the acceleration performance of the 755’s good enough to support the Ipswich to Cambridge service always stopping of Kennet and Dullingham rather than alternating?

It happens during the peak so probably yes

 

[dk1]

Is the acceleration performance of the 755’s good enough to support the Ipswich to Cambridge service always stopping of Kennet and Dullingham rather than alternating?

Definitely a yes.

 

[saismee]

Seen an image of 745005 with a wonky coupler at Norwich. Anyone know anything about this? Presumably it was 1P36.
Tried to look for a 745-specific thread but couldn't find one, apologies if this is the wrong thread.

 

[GW43125]

Yes 1st class remains if on the Great Eastern route regardless of whether it’s booked to be a 745/0 or a 745/1. It’s only declassified on the West or at the Senior Conductors discretion if the train is overcrowded.

The one time I tried using the declassified 1st on the west side I got thrown out by agency staff!

 

[dk1]

The one time I tried using the declassified 1st on the west side I got thrown out by agency staff!

I don't think they have any right to do that. It's declassified if on the West.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 May 2025 ==

Seen an image of 745005 with a wonky coupler at Norwich. Anyone know anything about this? Presumably it was 1P36.
Tried to look for a 745-specific thread but couldn't find one, apologies if this is the wrong thread.

We manually move the couplers. It doesn't really matter if they are off centre especially on a 745.

 

[saismee]

We manually move the couplers. It doesn't really matter if they are off centre especially on a 745.

The person who initially posted the picture guessed that it had struck something, but it didn't look damaged at all. It was probably just off-centre for no real reason. Also no delays found which you would've expected if the driver thought they had hit something.

 

[milooo]

Sorry this is a bit outt of context but I couldn't find anywhere else to ask. Does anyone have a clue why there is a 745 in Hornsey today?

 

[Class15]

Sorry this is a bit outt of context but I couldn't find anywhere else to ask. Does anyone have a clue why there is a 745 in Hornsey today?

For the wheel lathe. They also go to Wembley and Derby Etches Park.

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

For the wheel lathe. They also go to Wembley and Derby Etches Park.

Looks like a 755 also went to Wembley today https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K32643/2025-05-05/detailed
This was the one to Hornsey this morning

Realtime Trains | 5E54 0450 Norwich C.Pt. T.&R.S.M.D to Hornsey E.M.U.D. | 05/05/2025

Real-time train running information for 5E54 0450 departure from Norwich C.Pt. T.&R.S.M.D to Hornsey E.M.U.D. on 05/05/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[milooo]

For the wheel lathe. They also go to Wembley and Derby Etches Park.

Oh! Never knew that! thanks that has put my mind to rest.

 

[720144]

Looks like a 755 also went to Wembley today https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K32643/2025-05-05/detailed
This was the one to Hornsey this morning

Realtime Trains | 5E54 0450 Norwich C.Pt. T.&R.S.M.D to Hornsey E.M.U.D. | 05/05/2025

Real-time train running information for 5E54 0450 departure from Norwich C.Pt. T.&R.S.M.D to Hornsey E.M.U.D. on 05/05/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Do you know the unit number of the 745/0 that went to Hornsey today ?

755406 worked 5A72 to Wembley.

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

Do you know the unit number of the 745/0 that went to Hornsey today ?

No, I only saw it on RTT

 

[720144]

Looks like the triple traction appears to be out today on a Sunday.