Just like 669 last week then.Saw 317663 today behing hauled away through Stratford around 1655 presumably off to Ely. Looked to be missing its pantograph
Has it been handed in at the lost property office?Saw 317663 today behing hauled away through Stratford around 1655 presumably off to Ely. Looked to be missing its pantograph
Second. 317722 already gone to Ely. 317663 expected to follow.
Meanwhile, what (if anything) is happening to 317506 at Kilmarnock?
501 is Kilmarnock bound later this week- currently stopped at Ilford and has been there since the morning of the 29th June.
As for 506... it's a long time for a disabled toilet to be fitted since arriving at Kilmarnock on 9th October. One can only assume that's one massive turd that's got stuck in the pipes whilst being tested that is putting up one hell of a fight!
As for the remainder of the 317's, there's nothing else that's long term stopped currently.
Without them being PRM compliant, I can't see them being kept. The Renatus 321s are the most likely unless someone else wants them before the new fleet is sorted out.One does wonder what will become of the 317s. The refurbished 317/2 units are rather nice inside. From a passenger point of view if any of the legacy trains are going to be kept I’d keep these over 321s, including the Renatus versions. The 317/1s will presumably go straight to scrap when the time comes.
It wouldn't work as everything is so interworkable & then differing maintenance/fault issues. Add the covering of the Norwich IC diagram into the mix too & you can see why.Can anyone explain why the 31 or so 321's converted to Renatus standard seem mainly to be intermingled with the remainder of the 321 fleet, creating a real messy look and feel to the service? Is it really that difficult to keep the Renatus units coupled together as a subfleet?
coming back from Southend, had a 321/4 in FCC livery with a white GA 321 and a Renatus unit. It also creates an issue performance wise as they have different power / brake characteristics.
Can anyone explain why the 31 or so 321's converted to Renatus standard seem mainly to be intermingled with the remainder of the 321 fleet, creating a real messy look and feel to the service? Is it really that difficult to keep the Renatus units coupled together as a subfleet?
coming back from Southend, had a 321/4 in FCC livery with a white GA 321 and a Renatus unit. It also creates an issue performance wise as they have different power / brake characteristics.
It's all to do with overhaul intervals. A lot of the 317/6 are coming up to eight years since their last body overhaul.I am surprised that the 317/6s are the first ones goings considering they seem to be in better condition than all the other 317s.
Put 657 at the top of your list. It's one of the longest since overhaul.Thank you very much.
Out of the non-listed batch, I only require 657, 658, and 882 for haulage of which I will make those three my targets when I am in London mid July.
Can anyone explain why the 31 or so 321's converted to Renatus standard seem mainly to be intermingled with the remainder of the 321 fleet, creating a real messy look and feel to the service? Is it really that difficult to keep the Renatus units coupled together as a subfleet?
coming back from Southend, had a 321/4 in FCC livery with a white GA 321 and a Renatus unit. It also creates an issue performance wise as they have different power / brake characteristics.
Predominantly they do - the Norwich 321 substitutions seem far more often Renatus units than not.Not so much about the colour, but when I was in Norwich the other day I thought it would have been good if the Renatus units were able to be allocated to the Norwich runs now they feature all day.
At least it wouldn’t feel such a step down from the IC stock.
Not a lot, the majority of GA's revenue comes from the mainline rather than the branches.I see the local lines are full of cancellations and short forms again.
I wonder how much this is going to cost Greater Anglia in revenue. I know several friends whose employers have pretty much instructed their staff to drive rather than use branch lines that the DMUs run, the level of disruption and short notice cancellations is not compatible with business travel.
Even leisure travel is a nightmare. With the good weather it would be the time that I'd take an Anglia Day Ranger or travel to the seaside by train with family, instead I'm driving because the train service cannot be relied on not to be uncomfortably overcrowded for little ones if the train runs at all.
Personally myself, I've used the train less in the last couple of months than I have for a long time, I'm avoiding anything o
Not a lot, the majority of GA's revenue comes from the mainline rather than the branches.
Indeed not, and this is part of the reason why the service to rural areas is often so limited - there isn't the demand for the services to justify a regular service, because the quality of service offered is too low to generate that demand. And so the cycle continues...Admittedly, but still it cannot be good for these lines growth and passenger numbers when the reliability of service is so shocking.
Indeed not, and this is part of the reason why the service to rural areas is often so limited - there isn't the demand for the services to justify a regular service, because the quality of service offered is too low to generate that demand. And so the cycle continues...
I saw a post on Facebook of 321448 in the siding at Clacton the other day - inquiring about its state, I was told that it's "awaiting repair". Perhaps not the end after all!Yes. It's incredibly difficult to keep the renatus ones and the remainder of the 321's separate. The diagrams don't specifically allow the fleet to be kept separate- whilst it probably could be done with a lot of planning, it would also increase the workload across the business for both Train Planning, Depot/Yard Controllers and the Rolling Stock Controllers themselves hugely- which isn't practical with the workload being heavy enough as it is just to keep the wheels turning- without putting specific trains together just because it looks nice. There are also diagrams specifically for the 321/4 fleet (for 12 car operation on the Braintree and Southminster services), which also work with 321/3 diagrams.
Before my current role, I was a rolling stock allocator. Unit restrictions and maintenance requirements are the number one priority- once they're all managed and into the right diagrams, then whatever's left over just purely fills a gap. I completely understand what you mean about things looking messy- but it's one of those things at the moment unfortunately until the new fleet arrives. At least 321448 isn't in the mix anymore just to add another splash of colour!
Stansted Express as well, that's making a killing for them right now.Not a lot, the majority of GA's revenue comes from the mainline rather than the branches.
Renatus units will almost certainly stay until the 720s are in service along with the 379s though the latter are more likely for the long-term as Bombardier can continue to service them from Ilford. Given their issues, I think GA will be happy to see the back of the Renatus fleet.Without them being PRM compliant, I can't see them being kept. The Renatus 321s are the most likely unless someone else wants them before the new fleet is sorted out.
Indeed not, and this is part of the reason why the service to rural areas is often so limited - there isn't the demand for the services to justify a regular service, because the quality of service offered is too low to generate that demand. And so the cycle continues...
The operations staff certainly, but if they're cheap to lease...Renatus units will almost certainly stay until the 720s are in service along with the 379s though the latter are more likely for the long-term as Bombardier can continue to service them from Ilford. Given their issues, I think GA will be happy to see the back of the Renatus fleet.
That would be a good idea.I just had a thought that when the class 720 comes out I wonder if they will do 2 five cars trains and then split at Colchester for Colchester town and Clacton and other places
That's probably not happening now, due to a number of issues, not least the foot crossing at Marks Try.That would be a good idea.
But wasn’t the services from Sudbury meant to be taking over the Colchester Town services.