Greater Anglia Rolling Stock Updates

[jopsuk]

That Crown Point doesn't have any free space is hardly news; it's why some of the Intercity sets are only 8 passenger carriages and long speculated to be a large part of the reason why reliability of the diesel fleet is poor?

 

[dk1]

That Crown Point doesn't have any free space is hardly news; it's why some of the Intercity sets are only 8 passenger carriages and long speculated to be a large part of the reason why reliability of the diesel fleet is poor?

It's about to get worse as certain roads will shortly be blocked (particaually 18-24) as the depot reconstruction starts.

 

[Wivenswold]

Got on 321308 on the way home tonight and was surprised to see it still has its green First seat covers. I guess the units that are imminently due for Renatus treatment aren't having any interim upgrades.

It got me wondering what the latest is on the Renatus project. The original plan was to have all 30 in service by Mid-2017. It's taken nearly a year for 3 units to be completed and they still aren't in service. At this rate there will be 9 in service in time for the arrival of the Aventras.

Does anyone know what's happening? I know GA aren't paying for the refurb but surely it's becoming obvious what a waste of time it's going to be?

 

[samuelmorris]

Indeed, no reason to carry out the basic refresh on a unit scheduled to receive the full refurbishment. However, I totally agree, the lack of progress on the Renatus programme means that the return on investment is going to be terrible unless the units are transferred to another operator fairly soon after their withdrawal. With the current rate of progress I doubt they're going to be even close to finishing by the time there is a large fleet of 720(?)s filling their place. To have a fleet of units refurbished less than a year before their withdrawal at the cost of buying at least 10 brand new EMUs is absurd, almost as absurd as the SWT situation, but at least there's more likelihood of 2-year old units being redeployed than 29-32 year old ones. I'd genuinely like to hear Abellio's response to this question, as quite frankly I think by this point they're far better off abandoning the scheme, saving the money and rolling with the basic refresh on all the 321s, ex-GN examples excluding.

 

[adrock1976]

Regarding the new fleet that will be used on Ipswich - Lowestoft workings, will they need to be fitted with RETB (Radio Electronic Token Block) equipment, due to that line having RETB signalling?

 

[47802]

Indeed, no reason to carry out the basic refresh on a unit scheduled to receive the full refurbishment. However, I totally agree, the lack of progress on the Renatus programme means that the return on investment is going to be terrible unless the units are transferred to another operator fairly soon after their withdrawal. With the current rate of progress I doubt they're going to be even close to finishing by the time there is a large fleet of 720(?)s filling their place. To have a fleet of units refurbished less than a year before their withdrawal at the cost of buying at least 10 brand new EMUs is absurd, almost as absurd as the SWT situation, but at least there's more likelihood of 2-year old units being redeployed than 29-32 year old ones. I'd genuinely like to hear Abellio's response to this question, as quite frankly I think by this point they're far better off abandoning the scheme, saving the money and rolling with the basic refresh on all the 321s, ex-GN examples excluding.

Depends on the contract they have with the supplier though doesn't it the costs of terminating, the contract may well be with the rolling stock leasing company rather than the TOC and they may want to continue it, also is it in the franchise agreement in which case they would have to talk to Dft.

 

[47513 Severn]

Regarding the new fleet that will be used on Ipswich - Lowestoft workings, will they need to be fitted with RETB (Radio Electronic Token Block) equipment, due to that line having RETB signalling?

The East Suffolk line was converted back to conventional signalling in 2012.

 

[Class 170101]

It's about to get worse as certain roads will shortly be blocked (particaually 18-24) as the depot reconstruction starts.

Not exactly a lot of space to stable trains in Anglia right now.

 

[ginger]

Not exactly a lot of space to stable trains in Anglia right now.

NR are starting to clear the old Romford goods yards for some more stabling for the new fleet......more good news!

Shenfield is almost done.......good news from NR and hope it works! To be fair they have done a good job so far.....get the Southend dive under back and it should make life better in the commute

In the meantime and back to various comments on the 321 (utterly flawed Renatus refurb) I have said it was flawed from the start but got shot down in flames every time by the 321 fan club......told you so! And said it to Mr Burles many times face to face......

But why oh why do abellio PR keep doing this?

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/abo...st-class-170-train-about-enter-service-better

It is one dame train with 6 extra seats and they feel the need to plaster it all over the website? Oh and no wifi! Will someone please see sense in the abellio PR department!

 

[dk1]

NR are starting to clear the old Romford goods yards for some more stabling for the new fleet......more good news!

It is one dame train with 6 extra seats and they feel the need to plaster it all over the website? Oh and no wifi! Will someone please see sense in the abellio PR department!

To be fair there are another 7 3-cars & 3 2-cars still to be refurbed but only the former gains seating & we will retain none of them. Still it's welcome & long overdue for this very hardworking fleet. Shame they called it 170280 rather than 208 :roll:

First I've heard about Romford. Thought the additional stabling was at Ilford on the site of the demolished shed.

 

[ginger]

To be fair there are another 7 3-cars & 3 2-cars still to be refurbed but only the former gains seating & we will retain none of them. Still it's welcome & long overdue for this very hardworking fleet. Shame they called it 170280 rather than 208 :roll:

First I've heard about Romford. Thought the additional stabling was at Ilford on the site of the demolished shed.

The sidings at Romford were in the franchise doc but overlooked by many people.....initially NR didnt want to give up the land but they conceded (a rather reliable source at the top told me)

But why focus on a few regional units when the 90% of people travel on the electric units on the GE and WA outers? It is the same old deluded ex AR PR team based in Norwich! I knew a few of the ex FGE Managers who left and their parting shot was "the commuters are the majority but these guys will only ever think of the 5% Norwich passengers".....and boy were they frustrated!

Oh and travelling everyday (practically) for nearly 30 years I think gives me the right to take the mickey and have a sense of humour......if not......well!!! LOL

 

[ginger]

To be fair there are another 7 3-cars & 3 2-cars still to be refurbed but only the former gains seating & we will retain none of them. Still it's welcome & long overdue for this very hardworking fleet. Shame they called it 170280 rather than 208 :roll:

First I've heard about Romford. Thought the additional stabling was at Ilford on the site of the demolished shed.

oh sorry the additional Ilford sidings are for both CR and also the new GA Adventuras (same units effectively), hence the new heavy / aint shops now at the south of Ilford.

The old A shop is effectively the new daily servicing shed BUT not sure where the CET is going to be at Ilford for the GA fleet (345s no toilets clearly)

 

[ginger]

Anyone know about the blue 08 700 at the south of Ilford? Who owns it? Great condition and lovely to see!

 

[Shunter_69]

08700 is leased by Bombardier from Harry Needle. It's been at Ilford for at least 18 months and is used when necessary. It's main use lately is for shunting DLR units into and out of A shop.

It's currently stabled on the shunt spur due to a lack of space caused by the MTR 345's

 

[dk1]

The sidings at Romford were in the franchise doc but overlooked by many people.....initially NR didnt want to give up the land but they conceded (a rather reliable source at the top told me)

But why focus on a few regional units when the 90% of people travel on the electric units on the GE and WA outers? It is the same old deluded ex AR PR team based in Norwich! I knew a few of the ex FGE Managers who left and their parting shot was "the commuters are the majority but these guys will only ever think of the 5% Norwich passengers".....and boy were they frustrated!

Oh and travelling everyday (practically) for nearly 30 years I think gives me the right to take the mickey and have a sense of humour......if not......well!!! LOL

Hmmmm, beat you by being employed on the GEML for over 30 years. Norwich is the only original city on the route so deserves the accolade. Still can't see where or how these sidings will work or be situated & still can't detect any humour.

 

[jopsuk]

There's fairly major changes needed at Cambridge, for both the Thameslink and GA new fleet stabling. Among other bits, a new carriage wash- as the current one can only handle 8 car/160m train formations. But overall there's a fair bit of empty space to stick tracks in, even leaving space for a potential eastern station entrance.

 

[dk1]

Romford was initially planned as being XR stabling sidings but that was back in 2005 long before plans for & now occupied by the ROC. These plans where subsequently dropped in favour of Ilford/Gidea Park.

 

[Class 170101]

I thought Romford had been well and truly binned () as a stabling location.

 

[ginger]

I have a copy of the full new fleet presentation from abellio if anyone is interested......I did try and put on on here (as it is in the public domain.....but it is too big and as I am useless at IT I can't split it in two!

It includes full proposed layouts of all the carriages in every type of train. If people would like a copy then can you message me direct with your e mail addresses and I will happily share (for further "discussion")

And so we can get back to the main thread.......

(that is if I can work out how to get messages on here)

 

[samuelmorris]

If it's public domain then sure, hit me up

 

[chubs]

I have a copy of the full new fleet presentation from abellio if anyone is interested......I did try and put on on here (as it is in the public domain.....but it is too big and as I am useless at IT I can't split it in two!

It includes full proposed layouts of all the carriages in every type of train. If people would like a copy then can you message me direct with your e mail addresses and I will happily share (for further "discussion")

And so we can get back to the main thread.......

(that is if I can work out how to get messages on here)

I would like to see it. If you have a dropbox or one drive you can copy it to your public folder, then right click to generate a direct link (nobody would see the rest of your files)

or upload it somewhere like here:

https://www.sendspace.com

 

[ginger]

I would like to see it. If you have a dropbox or one drive you can copy it to your public folder, then right click to generate a direct link (nobody would see the rest of your files)

or upload it somewhere like here:

https://www.sendspace.com

beyond me! LOL

I have asked Sam to try and get it size and pop it on here so everyone can see......it was a rail user group presentation and is doing the rounds with councillors etc

 

[Brian Aylott]

I have a copy of the full new fleet presentation from abellio if anyone is interested......I did try and put on on here (as it is in the public domain.....but it is too big and as I am useless at IT I can't split it in two!

It includes full proposed layouts of all the carriages in every type of train. If people would like a copy then can you message me direct with your e mail addresses and I will happily share (for further "discussion")

And so we can get back to the main thread.......

(that is if I can work out how to get messages on here)

I should think that everyone would like to see it!
Brian

 

[ginger]

I should think that everyone would like to see it!
Brian

message me your e mail address and I will send it over.....not good enough with IT to get it the right size LOL

 

[Class 170101]

Just link to the website its on if its on one.

 

[ginger]

Just link to the website its on if its on one.

I couldn't find it anywhere......dont think it has been released yet on their web site anyway

 

[Quakkerillo]

ginger has sent it to me, and you can now also access it here:

https://mega.nz/#!IhBmzRQC!ICUvOwhKxzago4EWxtQzZEmX2dgKNzTOEcLKK0mfxW8

No need to ask them anymore. Just send them thanks for providing us with this information.

 

[ginger]

ginger has sent it to me, and you can now also access it here:

https://mega.nz/#!IhBmzRQC!ICUvOwhKxzago4EWxtQzZEmX2dgKNzTOEcLKK0mfxW8

No need to ask them anymore. Just send them thanks for providing us with this information.

Brilliant! Thanks very much.....

 

[Bletchleyite]

Cheers, indeed.

Looking at the layouts I still don't get where the Aventra capacity uplift over a 321 is coming from - is it just because there are fewer vestibules and cabs? The seating layout is hardly luxury, but other than the odd row of 3-side airline seats (that'll be fun) it's not vastly different from the 350/2 layout which while not *great* isn't the worst in the world, and I definitely prefer the 2-side airline seats over a game of kneesie on a 321. Fewer bogs than 12.350/2, though - indeed, half the number, which isn't great if they are not reliable.

Underfloor heating - excellent. The conduits really do get in the way of foot space on most units. Though I still wonder why trains don't just heat/cool the air then circulate it rather than heating from below and cooling from above which is so primitive.

FLIRT renderings aren't I think new. I'll reserve judgement on the LEAN seat until I've sat in one. I note that the FLIRT doesn't seem to have layouts specified.

 

[Bornin1980s]

Any details on the bi-modes diesel engines and engine layout?