Greater Anglia Good and Bad Discussion

[TheEdge]

No they are not but when a main line is closed all weekend you would expect better co-opration between two companies operating the one line still open.

I point out again for the umpteenth time there was still a service, not a train but a service was still in place... :roll:

There are lots of lines i see grassed over at Crown Point they could open them up for spare capacity or open up the line next to platform 6 at Norwich that seems to be empty most times i am there.

In the last three years I've seen nothing sat on those lines and would presume a fair amount of money would be needed just to get them into a state to sit stock on. The sidings behind 6 (hitherto the Jubilee) are all in regular use. At 0400 there will be maybe 5 or 6 AGA units in there, 2 or 3 EMT units. During the day there is often a few units in there, tampers sit in there as does the short hauled set. Same goes for the sidings the other side of the station, they can have all sorts in there, full IC sets, the short set, various DRS locos and a few of the sidings are used by DBS for shunting stone trains. Even the middle road at Norwich (between 4 & 5) can be playing host to units or now and again a 90. Just because there is nothing there on a Saturday afternoon doesn't mean its unused.

And anyway, its all academic. These spare units don't exist and even if a spare unit was at Norwich the 14.12 would still have been cancelled and not replaced by said spare unit given it would eventually arrive at Cambridge long after the 15.12 would have left!

 

[CockneySparrow]

from my limited observations they seem to be getting more consistent at ensuring the Cambridge-Ipswich service is a turbostar (think there's a 156 diagram nightly and possibly a 153 weekly?); there was a patch where it was common to see that the service was being "supplemented" by a bus. A sign Crown Point is improving? The problems there certainly pre-date Abellio

The first train from Cambridge to Ipswich Monday-Saturday is a 153 always as this then forms the next Ipswich to Felixstowe, think 8:32
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Not suggesting anything other then one of their lines was closed and the other had no spare capacity pi-- poor if you ask me as a paying customer.

The fact EMT would not play ball either merely peed a lot of us off both at Ely and Cambridge one young girl got her dad to pick her up .

Still lets not let customers get in the way EH.

Not exactly true as I guess you have or will delay repay them and with being over an hour late makes you have a free jolly lol

Problem with EMT guards is that they are jobsworths, as it was a Saturday it would have been difficult to get hold of someone with clout to authorise it and I guess its just not about holding the train for 3 minutes it would have involved asking EMT to stop at Brandon, Attleborough etc, on the other hand it could have been case of the EMT being rammed already
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[/B]

No they are not but when a main line is closed all weekend you would expect better co-opration between two companies operating the one line still open.

IE East Midlands and Greater Anglia.

There are lots of lines i see grassed over at Crown Point they could open them up for spare capacity or open up the line next to platform 6 at Norwich that seems to be empty most times i am there.

Pi-- poor service over the weekend however i have a 1st class ticket to travel up Thursday i hope GA can provide a better serivce then.

Then Saturdays was.

If you go on a Sunday that spare line next to platform 6 usually holds the EMT trains that aren't used
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Not entirely true, when stuff is tucked up at CP there is very little space in the sidings. One of the "empty" lines is the Wensum Curve which cannot be used as a siding as various services use it in the day, ECS workings and the Walsham tanks. The few remaining sidings are probably not fit for use looking at their condition. The sidings behind 6 are also all used throughout the day although tend to be busier in the morning and evening.

That are there is a DMU shortage, both at GA and nationally so spare units are not just hanging around.

The few remaining sidings I guess aren't fit for purpose and should GA or EMT want to use them then I guess they will have to pay NR for them to be reinstated or made fit for purpose

 

[Richard1960]

Hmm not sure of the free jolly as i was travelling on a return from Harlow Town to Cambridge and a day ranger for the rest.

At least customer service have admitted it sounded a right mess and are offering me half fare back on both tickets.

So perhaps a half price jolly i am up on thursday for a concert at the Waterfront (UFO) on a 1st advance hope that trip goes well staying at the UEA.

At least CS and me did have a laugh yesterday over the fact when the line went dead and they did not try to play me any rubbish music and they were friendly.

 

[CockneySparrow]

Hmm not sure of the free jolly as i was travelling on a return from Harlow Town to Cambridge and a day ranger for the rest.

At least customer service have admitted it sounded a right mess and are offering me half fare back on both tickets.

So perhaps a half price jolly i am up on thursday for a concert at the Waterfront (UFO) on a 1st advance hope that trip goes well staying at the UEA.

At least CS and me did have a laugh yesterday over the fact when the line went dead and they did not try to play me any rubbish music and they were friendly.

Yes AGA station/customer service staff are a friendly and helpful bunch on the whole, even the return to work drivers on Cambridge platform behind the makeshift desk helping passengers with enquiries

 

[Richard1960]

Yes AGA station/customer service staff are a friendly and helpful bunch on the whole, even the return to work drivers on Cambridge platform behind the makeshift desk helping passengers with enquiries

Yes i agree we did have a laugh over a bad situation at least my respect to them for that.

The Cambridge Platform CS do not know the name who was on it at 13.55 on Saturday were also very helpful she got us onto the "Cross Country Train".

As well as CS on Ely Platform 1.

Always in the end like to take some positive from a negative.

 

[scott118]

Yes AGA station/customer service staff are a friendly and helpful bunch on the whole, even the return to work drivers on Cambridge platform behind the makeshift desk helping passengers with enquiries

return to work? wouldn't you be happy driving a desk on a platform, rather than be at risk of an incident, considering the money these people are earning? Not to mention, that those drivers are now immune from certain shift patterns. Less is more surely...

 

[scott118]

normal service resumed?

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/cancellations_on_norwich_to_london_train_line_1_4044157

 

[Dave1987]

normal service resumed?

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/cancellations_on_norwich_to_london_train_line_1_4044157

I would argue that things have been going pretty well recently for things that AGA can control.

 

[jon0844]

Discovered today that in addition to Hertford East services, Stratford trains from Bishops' Stortford are declassified too and not enforced even though first class is marked in the timetable. Not sure I'd risk it, but apparently this has been company policy for some time and it just needs the timetables amended.

 

[scott118]

wasn't it always the case that any service which left from platform 3, was declassified? Irrespective of what a timetable said?

 

[Shunter_69]

1 return train service on a half hourly route rates a mention by a newspaper. Wow, must be a really slow news day.

 

[jon0844]

wasn't it always the case that any service which left from platform 3, was declassified? Irrespective of what a timetable said?

I am not sure what station you are referring to, but I had quite a long chat with the RPI who said I'd be absolutely fine in first class on the Stratford trains as they're NEVER enforced and never will be. However, as they're marked in the timetable I said I'd probably not take the risk - even though he said it really wasn't a problem. How's that for a 'but a person on the train told me it was okay' excuse?!

Given my experiences over the years, I'm not sure you wouldn't encounter someone on another day that thinks differently, and the timetables would back him/her up.

Ultimately, I think the point being made was that RPIs generally don't check Stratford services at all as there's no point (probably wastes too much of their time given the service frequency, and Stratford being gated anyway). Nor did I get the impression that they were able to properly police the smaller stations between Broxbourne and Tottenham Hale/LST and so that was why they preferred blocks at individual stations instead.

It was an interesting chat, and seems to confirm that RPIs are fully aware of declassified services - which again makes me wonder how things are done on other parts of the AGA network where no first class advertised can still result in being charged to sit in first class...

 

[scott118]

i was referring to BIS, oddly enough as the service starts and terminates there.

 

[jopsuk]

I know it's rather far out, but I'd have included Stratford-Stortford and Hertford Branch in the new Overground... leaving GA running the Stansted & Cambridge (and Cambridge-Stansted!) services on the West Anglia.

 

[tsr]

I know it's rather far out, but I'd have included Stratford-Stortford and Hertford Branch in the new Overground... leaving GA running the Stansted & Cambridge (and Cambridge-Stansted!) services on the West Anglia.

The same thought about Hertford Branch services crossed my mind, and I agree, but I did not initially agree about the Bishop's Stortford services. I guess I can see what you mean about the latter, though. I think it is stretching "Overground" branding a little bit, but it's not that far-fetched compared to the Met to Amersham or even the current Oyster boundaries.

If only you could have services from Clapham Junction right through to Bishop's Stortford via Willesden Junction and Stratford, though I have a feeling the two markets are rather different, stopping patterns are often at variance, and through traffic would probably be quite limited anyway...

 

[scott118]

The same thought about Hertford Branch services crossed my mind, and I agree, but I did not initially agree about the Bishop's Stortford services. I guess I can see what you mean about the latter, though. I think it is stretching "Overground" branding a little bit, but it's not that far-fetched compared to the Met to Amersham or even the current Oyster boundaries.

If only you could have services from Clapham Junction right through to Bishop's Stortford via Willesden Junction and Stratford, though I have a feeling the two markets are rather different, stopping patterns are often at variance, and through traffic would probably be quite limited anyway...

Perhaps the cost of running to Helmand, sorry the Hertford Branch, wasn't so attractive to TFL, given the amount of fare abuse and vandalism that happens there.
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on another tangent..
Saturday
19:10 Norwich to Thetford will be cancelled due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

 

[dk1]

on another tangent..
Saturday
19:10 Norwich to Thetford will be cancelled due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

As was 13:00 Nrw-Lst/15:30 Lst-Nrw, all same diagram. No driver.

 

[scott118]

self imposed, unofficial rest day working ban is coming up trumps then..

 

[MP33]

A first for me this evening I got into an argument with another 1st class passenger.

My train came into the platform at Liverpool Street short formed, as I was walking up the platform to my usual spot. On the way I passed a morbidly obese man who I sometimes see in 1st class. In the rush with all the standard class passengers I cut in front on him. He accused me of being rude, which was true although I could see what situation would develop. I responded with at least I do not need two seats which was true and the situation and statement was true.

I received advice to stop speaking which sounded like a threat. I did not continue the conversation as it is not wise for someone in a poor medical state to have a physical confrontation.

As a man who got on at Stratford could not find a seat thanks to fatty. Can a rail company insist someone purchase either an extra child 1st class season or two standard season tickets?

Fatty spent almost all his journey stuffing his face and sounding like he had not decided on having a stroke or a heart attack.

I believe there are people to laugh at photos of this gentleman on the Greater Anglia complainers twitter feed.

 

[TheEdge]

A first for me this evening I got into an argument with another 1st class passenger.

My train came into the platform at Liverpool Street short formed, as I was walking up the platform to my usual spot. On the way I passed a morbidly obese man who I sometimes see in 1st class. In the rush with all the standard class passengers I cut in front on him. He accused me of being rude, which was true although I could see what situation would develop. I responded with at least I do not need two seats which was true and the situation and statement was true.

I received advice to stop speaking which sounded like a threat. I did not continue the conversation as it is not wise for someone in a poor medical state to have a physical confrontation.

As a man who got on at Stratford could not find a seat thanks to fatty. Can a rail company insist someone purchase either an extra child 1st class season or two standard season tickets?

Fatty spent almost all his journey stuffing his face and sounding like he had not decided on having a stroke or a heart attack.

I believe there are people to laugh at photos of this gentleman on the Greater Anglia complainers twitter feed.

Wow, just, wow.

 

[SPADTrap]

A first for me this evening I got into an argument with another 1st class passenger.

My train came into the platform at Liverpool Street short formed, as I was walking up the platform to my usual spot. On the way I passed a morbidly obese man who I sometimes see in 1st class. In the rush with all the standard class passengers I cut in front on him. He accused me of being rude, which was true although I could see what situation would develop. I responded with at least I do not need two seats which was true and the situation and statement was true.

I received advice to stop speaking which sounded like a threat. I did not continue the conversation as it is not wise for someone in a poor medical state to have a physical confrontation.

As a man who got on at Stratford could not find a seat thanks to fatty. Can a rail company insist someone purchase either an extra child 1st class season or two standard season tickets?

Fatty spent almost all his journey stuffing his face and sounding like he had not decided on having a stroke or a heart attack.

I believe there are people to laugh at photos of this gentleman on the Greater Anglia complainers twitter feed.

Whatever you've been drinking put it down!

We really need that stupidest post(er) award! :-x

 

[samuelmorris]

Oversized passengers are a bit of a nuisance, sure, but wow, seriously?

He accused me of being rude, which was true

Just stop and read this a few times. Who exactly is in the wrong here?

 

[scott118]

A first for me this evening I got into an argument with another 1st class passenger.

My train came into the platform at Liverpool Street short formed, as I was walking up the platform to my usual spot. On the way I passed a morbidly obese man who I sometimes see in 1st class. In the rush with all the standard class passengers I cut in front on him. He accused me of being rude, which was true although I could see what situation would develop. I responded with at least I do not need two seats which was true and the situation and statement was true.

I received advice to stop speaking which sounded like a threat. I did not continue the conversation as it is not wise for someone in a poor medical state to have a physical confrontation.

As a man who got on at Stratford could not find a seat thanks to fatty. Can a rail company insist someone purchase either an extra child 1st class season or two standard season tickets?

Fatty spent almost all his journey stuffing his face and sounding like he had not decided on having a stroke or a heart attack.

I believe there are people to laugh at photos of this gentleman on the Greater Anglia complainers twitter feed.

1st class passenger? You're more like a 1st class cretin..Hopefully, the very same gentleman, will sit on you, the next time you both share a journey, and stifle your prejudice and discrimination.

 

[Dan27]

Evidently we just had scope creep in this thread and it has now included the very bad passengers as well.

 

[dk1]

1st class passenger? You're more like a 1st class cretin..Hopefully, the very same gentleman, will sit on you, the next time you both share a journey, and stifle your prejudice and discrimination.

 

[CockneySparrow]

Oversized passengers are a bit of a nuisance, sure, but wow, seriously?


Just stop and read this a few times. Who exactly is in the wrong here?

More than in the wrong, he is bordering on bullying and discrimination in todays society

 

[90sWereBetter]

"resists temptation to post a certain Scott Steiner video in response to the last discussion point"...

Moving swiftly on, I see on Twitter that enough MK3s have gone through the refurbishment program to form a full set. Does anyone know which set this is, and what diagrams it's been used on, and if it's being used in service tomorrow?

 

[MP33]

Tonight a interloper in 1st class was being dealt with by Greater Anglia's security detail. Despite what some people say, this is the first one that I have appeared to see in peak hours for some months outside of disruption.

They gave the initial defence that they could not read. In disputes and prosecutions was advice given that this defence failed in the 1840's and ever since.

 

[Darandio]

Tonight a interloper in 1st class was being dealt with by Greater Anglia's security detail. Despite what some people say, this is the first one that I have appeared to see in peak hours for some months outside of disruption.

They gave the initial defence that they could not read. In disputes and prosecutions was advice given that this defence failed in the 1840's and ever since.

Ah, but you didn't mention their size.........

Has the big fella sat on you yet?

 

[MP33]

Ah, but you didn't mention their size.........

Has the big fella sat on you yet?

No and they were young and slim.

I have only seen the big chap a few times.