Greater Anglia Rolling Stock Updates

[F Great Eastern]

It's the new (supposedly more comfortable) seating from Kiel, it was added a while ago. Given the choice between Fainsa ironing boards or slightly narrower walkways (being 3+2 they were already pretty narrow), I know which one I'd choose!

The renders just look very claustrophobic. Whilst the seats are a welcome change, there has something been lost from the original render which actually looked more spacious, I suspect due to the lighter colours being used compared to the latest render.

Obviously the 321s and 360s also have 3+2 but the latest design of the Bombardier seems to combine an even narrower walkway with a bigger footprint seat with less room, with darker carpets, dark seat backs instead of white, darker seats and interior panels which all adds up to a less spacious feeling train.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Obviously the 321s and 360s also have 3+2 but the latest design of the Bombardier seems to combine an even narrower walkway with a bigger footprint seat with less room, with darker carpets, dark seat backs instead of white, darker seats and interior panels which all adds up to a less spacious feeling train.

Just to counter that, I think the interior looks, so far as 3+2-seated commuter trains go, of extremely high quality, and I will be more than happy if our WCML Aventras (the batch for commuter services, there are I think going to be two batches) have that interior.

Even better yet if we were to get 2+2 with the wider version of that seat but otherwise identical.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Just to counter that, I think the interior looks, so far as 3+2-seated commuter trains go, of extremely high quality, and I will be more than happy if our WCML Aventras (the batch for commuter services, there are I think going to be two batches) have that interior.

I just prefer the lighter interior personally. I think the newer seats with the original render colours would look better but the newer look with darker colours and the seats just make the train look narrower and more claustrophobic and less spacious for me. But then again it could be lighting causing that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I just prefer the lighter interior personally. I think the newer seats with the original render colours would look better but the newer look with darker colours and the seats just make the train look narrower and more claustrophobic for me.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree, I do like deep and rich colours for seating and subdued lighting, it gives off a real quality feel to me.

3+2 is never going to be spacious. As a 3+2 seated train this looks really quite good to me.

 

[Wivenswold]

I think the latest renderings look good and as Bletchleyite has suggested if it's a trade off between a sore back and feeling hemmed in, I'd go for the latter option every time.

 

[samuelmorris]

It looks to me like they're two entirely different renders and one of them must have a bit of a perspective problem. Clearly the seats are going to be an almost identical physical size to meet the number of seats in the plan and fit 3+2 across, yet from the look of those two images they look a different size - it's partly the way the render has been done and also the angle from which they've been taken. I'm not too concerned based on what I've seen, the interior still looks quite nice to me.

 

[dk1]

The middle car of 170202 is currently sitting at the end of one of the sidings at Crown Point. Not sure where the driving cars are.

The battery charger arrived for 56202 but unfortunately 170201 had a similar fault on one of its driving vehicles so had to take priority. Awaiting imminent delivery of another for the errant centre car long dumped on 10rd.

 

[Bringback309s]

Slightly off topic, but was has happened to the London Overground 321's (321414)? Haven't seen them for ages..

 

[samuelmorris]

They went to Scotland :P Here is the unit you mentioned

(Not my video)

 

[Bringback309s]

Thanks - missed that one!

 

[Domh245]

The Aventras are starting to come together now (from Richard Clinnick on twitter)

 

[Wivenswold]

Looks lovely but I still can't imagine how they'll get around the up road on the west side of the Hythe triangle. Wivenhoe up platform will be interesting too, there's already a huge gap to mind when alighting shorter carriages.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The bolted-on end section looks very long compared with Electrostars, a bit like the way it does on the 800s - is that where the extra 1m is going? What's in there - the bogs?

 

[dp21]

The bolted-on end section looks very long compared with Electrostars, a bit like the way it does on the 800s - is that where the extra 1m is going? What's in there - the bogs?

It's just the way that BT build their trains unlike someone like Siemens or even Stadler. They put together the roof, floor and sides then cap the ends.

In the ends of these is just the end of the saloon and the housing for the gangway as well as some of the electrical equipment.

The toilets are further into the saloon than that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Cheers.

 

[59CosG95]

321326 moved up to Wolverton today - anybody know why? https://flic.kr/p/26ewMBG

 

[43096]

321326 moved up to Wolverton today - anybody know why? https://flic.kr/p/26ewMBG

It will be the next in the programme to get the new AC traction package.

 

[59CosG95]

It will be the next in the programme to get the new AC traction package.

Ah I see. Reading up in one of my spotters' guides, it already has the new package, so I suspect it's off for the rest of the "Renatus" job (i.e. repaint and refurb).

 

[nxea321446]

Last /3 in NXEA Silver and White livery to retain it’s DC motors, excluding 331-366

 

[Wivenswold]

Yep, looking at my list there's only 321321 to go away to Wolverton and that's already refurbished.

 

[43096]

Ah I see. Reading up in one of my spotters' guides, it already has the new package, so I suspect it's off for the rest of the "Renatus" job (i.e. repaint and refurb).

The Renatus refurb/repaint is being done by Wabtec Doncaster. Wolverton are only doing the traction packages, under a separate contract.

 

[nxea321446]

Yep, looking at my list there's only 321321 to go away to Wolverton and that's already refurbished.

321321 was retractioned last year, 314 went back to Ilford this afternoon after refurb and 319 is currently on its way to Doncaster

 

[Wivenswold]

321321 was retractioned last year, 314 went back to Ilford this afternoon after refurb and 319 is currently on its way to Doncaster

Thanks for the info. I stand corrected must have missed that one sneaking up to Wolverton. Halfway there with 15 Renatus units back from Donnie. The last back could just beat the 720s into service.

 

[Defiance149]

Can anyone confirm which 321 was released from Wolverton last Wednesday please? Suspect it was 321323?

 

[physics34]

https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/no-ironing-board-seats-for-greater-anglia-s-new-trains

the world is starting to listen

 

[samuelmorris]

Well, I dunno about the world, but it's good news anyway

 

[Domh245]

Interesting to see that the seats on the Aventras are from Kiel - do they have any previous in the UK? Also, let's hold off praising them until you've sat in them:

These feature “a unique ‘S’ shape to the seat back for better comfort, and which creates more leg room for the person sitting behind.”

image taken from their brochure about "TREND" seats, which look similar to those in the render but may not be the actual ones fitted.

 

[physics34]

Well, I dunno about the world, but it's good news anyway

ha ha yes. But it might set a precedent. We dont want to see Fainsa seats on any new stock ever again lol

 

[Bletchleyite]

Interesting to see that the seats on the Aventras are from Kiel - do they have any previous in the UK? Also, let's hold off praising them until you've sat in them:

image taken from their brochure about "TREND" seats, which look similar to those in the render but may not be the actual ones fitted.

I think those are the DB Regio seats and to me they are hard but comfortable. I like ironing boards, but these are definitely better.

 

[superalbs]

Kiel are responsible for the Class 378 seats, but more importantly the excellent Class 175/180 seats, so I hope these are good.