GA class 156 to EMR

[Andy Pacer]

Again at Sleaford:

 

[greatvoyager]

Again at Sleaford:
View attachment 72112

Looking very nice.

 

[153375]

Again at Sleaford:
View attachment 72112

Is it me or is the vinyl wrap bubbling in places? Especially the purple on the cab ends. Wonder if water has got underneath it or just the poor bodywork or a combination of both. Does look nice though.

 

[youngiecj]

Again at Sleaford:
View attachment 72112

Heading for a spin on it from Boston to Skegness in a bit before work later!

 

[Murray J]

Is it me or is the vinyl wrap bubbling in places? Especially the purple on the cab ends. Wonder if water has got underneath it or just the poor bodywork or a combination of both.

No it's not just you. I was thinking the same thing.

 

[youngiecj]

156909 at Skegness. Never realised how much smaller the luggage area is compared to a regular EMR 156.

 

[dk1]

156909 at Skegness. Never realised how much smaller the luggage area is compared to a regular EMR 156.

Are you talking about the old parcels now cycle area or luggage stacks?

 

[youngiecj]

Are you talking about the old parcels now cycle area or luggage stacks?

The Cycle Area, I could be wrong. Just seems a lot smaller.

 

[dk1]

The Cycle Area, I could be wrong. Just seems a lot smaller.

No it's the same size as originally built on the fleet in the late 80s as bulkhead both sides.

 

[LowLevel]

The EMT ones were modified to remove the shutter housing and one side of the bulkhead to give additional space. Not sure if it was done by EMT or Central in their latter years.

 

[NewSt]

Only problem is the white is more susceptible to dirt and grime.

True.

 

[High Dyke]

Looks decent enough...it's passed me twice so far today and should be passed twice more this afternoon. Perhaps it was just me,, but the hustle alarm seems quieter than the EMR units that have had a refurb.

 

[F Great Eastern]

How many GA 156s are in service? Will I still be stuck on overcrowded 153s in the new year?

There are no 153s, if all else fails, then your train will be cancelled due to a fault with the signalling system.

 

[dk1]

There are no 153s, if all else fails, then your train will be cancelled due to a fault with the signalling system.

I thought the post was referring to EMR 153s which should no longer be out alone.

 

[High Dyke]

I thought the post was referring to EMR 153s which should no longer be out alone.

Talking of which there may be an odd working of a single 153 from Sleaford in a morning. So much for the plan to comply with PRM requirements...

 

[dk1]

Talking of which there may be an odd working of a single 153 from Sleaford in a morning. So much for the plan to comply with PRM requirements...

As long as they get there eventually. Due to the ongoing cascade issues at many TOCs thanks to new train delivery, people will just have to be patient.

 

[Pumbaa]

As per letter from the DfT as reported over the last week, a last minute time bound derogation for solo 153s on EMR was granted by DfT, to avoid multiple cancellations daily due to late cascade from GA.

 

[youngiecj]

Talking of which there may be an odd working of a single 153 from Sleaford in a morning. So much for the plan to comply with PRM requirements...

153368 is also at Boston tonight. Should work 2S02 on Monday as a single unit until Grantham..

 

[Failed Unit]

As per letter from the DfT as reported over the last week, a last minute time bound derogation for solo 153s on EMR was granted by DfT, to avoid multiple cancellations daily due to late cascade from GA.

Personally I think this is wrong. The rosco should provide EMR with the 2 coach trains it is contacted to do. They were not the ones that took the risk of ordering rolling stock from a manufacturer not proven in the uk. But instead us EMR passengers will be left on the platform while greater Anglia passengers keep the stock.

but that is just me. Others think EMR passengers should suffer for greater Anglia managements mistakes.

 

[LowLevel]

Personally I think this is wrong. The rosco should provide EMR with the 2 coach trains it is contacted to do. They were not the ones that took the risk of ordering rolling stock from a manufacturer not proven in the uk. But instead us EMR passengers will be left on the platform while greater Anglia passengers keep the stock.

but that is just me. Others think EMR passengers should suffer for greater Anglia managements mistakes.

In theory there should be a steady improvement in the number of available carriages on EMR over the next few weeks. All class 158s have now completed their refurbishment works and the last 156 is away at works. There have been some arrivals from Anglia and they're due to continuing arriving at a steady rate (albeit it would appear generally in need of some repairs before being able to enter traffic), the first driver instructors and managers will also be off to Scotland soon enough to learn 170s to run training classes for those.

There is hopefully some light at the end of the tunnel.

The LNER Azumas running into Lincoln have also been a help relieving the local service by taking longer distance passengers on to those trains as well as taking on some Newark <> Lincoln traffic - the EMR services are still busy but there was a noted impact as soon as those trains started running. If you had a choice of which station to use in Newark who wouldn't take the half empty 1727 Kings Cross service over what is currently the 1730 pair of 153s but will shortly be moving over to 158 operation?

 

[Alfie1014]

Personally I think this is wrong. The rosco should provide EMR with the 2 coach trains it is contacted to do. They were not the ones that took the risk of ordering rolling stock from a manufacturer not proven in the uk. But instead us EMR passengers will be left on the platform while greater Anglia passengers keep the stock.

but that is just me. Others think EMR passengers should suffer for greater Anglia managements mistakes.

It’s GA’s passengers that are suffering too, how many EMR routes have been replaced by buses or had gaps of four hours between trains like those on the the Ipswich - Pboro route? The situation is far from ideal but the view in these parts is that that GA is being sacrificed at the expense of other TOCs, EMR, TfW etc...

 

[dk1]

It’s GA’s passengers that are suffering too, how many EMR routes have been replaced by buses or had gaps of four hours between trains like those on the the Ipswich - Pboro route? The situation is far from ideal but the view in these parts is that that GA is being sacrificed at the expense of other TOCs, EMR, TfW etc...

Exactly and long may cross industry support live. Better a train in Lincolnshire runs a little overcrowded than passengers are left on cold platforms in neighbouring Norfolk.

 

[greatvoyager]

Exactly and long may cross industry support live. Better a train in Lincolnshire runs a little overcrowded than passengers are left on cold platforms in neighbouring Norfolk.

This ordering and cascade exercise has caused so many problems. They really need to give a bigger overlap between new stock delivery and old stock cascade.

 

[Failed Unit]

It’s GA’s passengers that are suffering too, how many EMR routes have been replaced by buses or had gaps of four hours between trains like those on the the Ipswich - Pboro route? The situation is far from ideal but the view in these parts is that that GA is being sacrificed at the expense of other TOCs, EMR, TfW etc...

But this is entirely down to greater anglia’s management who should be held accountable. It is wrong for EMRs passengers to suffer because of GAs management incompetence. If they can pass the buck in this way franchises such will keep on making poor decisions knowing another franchise will need to take the pain. What incentive do they have to do things right when they can take the view it is ok - EMR passenger was are unimportant let them suffer. No-one will get fired for that and we don’t get the complaints.

yes going back to BR and the 158 problems they dragged out hauled stock - but those days are gone. Greater Anglia knew the risk - but are pushing their failure onto an area that has isn’t getting any substantial rolling stock improvements. Yes a 156 is better than a 153...

the other franchise- TPE are very lucky no-one wants the 185s. But greater Anglia’s problems were predicted the day the franchise was let by many rail experts. (Not just this forum)

 

[Failed Unit]

Exactly and long may cross industry support live. Better a train in Lincolnshire runs a little overcrowded than passengers are left on cold platforms in neighbouring Norfolk.

They are getting left on platforms in Lincolnshire as the 153s can’t cope.

 

[Failed Unit]

In theory there should be a steady improvement in the number of available carriages on EMR over the next few weeks. All class 158s have now completed their refurbishment works and the last 156 is away at works. There have been some arrivals from Anglia and they're due to continuing arriving at a steady rate (albeit it would appear generally in need of some repairs before being able to enter traffic), the first driver instructors and managers will also be off to Scotland soon enough to learn 170s to run training classes for those.

There is hopefully some light at the end of the tunnel.

The LNER Azumas running into Lincoln have also been a help relieving the local service by taking longer distance passengers on to those trains as well as taking on some Newark <> Lincoln traffic - the EMR services are still busy but there was a noted impact as soon as those trains started running. If you had a choice of which station to use in Newark who wouldn't take the half empty 1727 Kings Cross service over what is currently the 1730 pair of 153s but will shortly be moving over to 158 operation?

definitely noticed the 1727 is preferable for Newark passengers but still some very bad trains.

0737 Newark - Grimsby and it’s return 0923 Grimsby- Newark along with the tea time 1645ish Newark - Grimsby. Long wait when you can’t board any of these trains for the next one.

 

[Nighthawke]

Why has this turned into a passengers vs. passengers issues? Both "sets" of passengers are the injured parties here. They have all been let down by the TOCs/NR/stock owners. Mutual sympathy/empathy wouldn't go amiss would it?

 

[Failed Unit]

Why has this turned into a passengers vs. passengers issues? Both "sets" of passengers are the injured parties here. They have all been let down by the TOCs/NR/stock owners. Mutual sympathy/empathy wouldn't go amiss would it?

Privatisation . Little sympathy for Greater Anglia. They took a high risk and it backfired. Privatisation should make it solely that franchises problem. (I actually think this is harsh myself - but that is the way the system works. We didn’t get any sympathy from other areas once EMT took over and we found that the franchise didn’t have enough rolling stock because central trains messed up the passenger numbers. The centre cars of the 158s still went. We have suffered for the entire franchise with 153s in most routes. When we got dumped on like that - with no sympathy and have suffered the consequences for an entire franchise you may understand why I am no happy we are suffering again - but this time because another franchise has got it wrong)

I know every area has a sob story. But the East Midlands last time got all the stock no-one else wanted following the break up of CT. rolling stock wise it is the same again, but with the added condition - only when our shiny new trains work. We don’t know when but people in the East Midlands are used to 1 coach trains - tough seems to be the view.

 

[High Dyke]

153368 is also at Boston tonight. Should work 2S02 on Monday as a single unit until Grantham..

Paired up with 153385 today. It should be 153357 left at Boston overnight. As someone mentioned though It's the passengers that are suffering here. Regardless of TOC, the whole introduction of new stock has been beset by problems, but the TOC's have already made efforts to reduce the older stock - thus causing shortages when the new stock proves unreliable.

...
The LNER Azumas running into Lincoln have also been a help relieving the local service by taking longer distance passengers on to those trains as well as taking on some Newark <> Lincoln traffic - the EMR services are still busy but there was a noted impact as soon as those trains started running. If you had a choice of which station to use in Newark who wouldn't take the half empty 1727 Kings Cross service over what is currently the 1730 pair of 153s but will shortly be moving over to 158 operation?

Well when LNER don't cancel those services due to stock shortage...Lincoln seems to be the first sacrificial lamb when that occurs.

 

[eastdyke]

.... Little sympathy for Greater Anglia. They took a high risk and it backfired. ....

Clearly the new GA 'rural' stock is a little later than planned into full service.
The reasons for that are somewhat muddied and lie between and within DfT, GA, Stadler, NR to name but 4.
If Abellio GA were naive in their Franchise plans, then perhaps Abellio EMR were equally so? Perhaps the latter should have relied on stock from elsewhere? But of course there is/was none from elsewhere.
With just a little forbearance the current situation should soon pass and then be forgotten.
As far as I can tell, GA pax have suffered far more than those of EMR. And I am not for giving one set of pax particular preference over any other.