Greater Anglia Rolling Stock Updates

[samuelmorris]

1. With Modern EMUs there is physically hardly any difference between AC only and AC+DC. The 3phase drives are fed from a DC bus. Physically Shoe + Mounting, cable and MCB.

I agree but since 710s have had issue with line voltage sensitivity where other units have not (admittedly only on the AC side that I'm aware of) I thought it worth a mention.

 

[Midnight Sun]

All down to lack of suitable platforms at the airport. Bimodes have changed that.

Is it just the single platform in open air that the diesels use at Stansted?

A second platform for diesels was built along with the trackbed, No track was laid or pointwork installed.

 

[Class 170101]

A second platform for diesels was built along with the trackbed, No track was laid or pointwork installed.
View attachment 60936

Is it actually wide enough to fit a track there?

 

[Dave1987]

Can you explain why, please?

I believe that the 710s have different software to the 345s and that this has contributed to the delay in their introduction into service, but won't subsequent builds of Aventras have the same as has been "proved" in the 710s? Consequently, won't testing/ commissioning/acceptance of Aventras for GA and others be quite "quick" by comparison?

There is a long way to go before the Aventra fleet is commissioned for service. A long way!

 

[dk1]

A second platform for diesels was built along with the trackbed, No track was laid or pointwork installed.
View attachment 60936

Nothing changed since opening unlike Manchester Airports station. Both have similar airline passenger numbers yet Stansted has almost twice as many rail passengers.

 

[grumpyoldman01]

There's no reason why not, but then there's no reason why either. Being AC-only the systems on the 720s should be a bit simpler but the level of issues experienced by the 710s is astounding. While I'm sure the experience from the 710 project will have helped, the fact that their introduction went so wrong means I think it would be a bit optimistic to assume everything will go to plan with the 720s. There are a lot of routes to cover where the over-sensitive software in the 720s will be put to the test. They will also be covering areas where there are already precedents for having issues with new EMUs (e.g. north of Stowmarket and the Southend branch). I think it's highly unlikely that the delay between delivery of a unit for testing and entry into service will be as long as it's been for the 710s, but I'm almost certain there will still be some delay. They have to pass sufficient tests to gain approval for passenger use and then commence staff training. Doable in 6 months but probably only just - if any issues are thrown up during testing, I imagine they won't see passenger use until 2020. At present I'd hazard a guess at 12 months after their original planned introduction, so February ish.

Thanks for the above information.

 

[jopsuk]

Is it actually wide enough to fit a track there?

is the pillar a bit too close to the platform edge too?

 

[Bikeman78]

Can you explain why, please?

I believe that the 710s have different software to the 345s and that this has contributed to the delay in their introduction into service, but won't subsequent builds of Aventras have the same as has been "proved" in the 710s? Consequently, won't testing/ commissioning/acceptance of Aventras for GA and others be quite "quick" by comparison?

Off the top of my head, the first 717 arrived in the UK in July, first passenger run in March. Siemens products seem to work a lot better then Bombardier at the moment. I could be wrong but six months isn't long to do lots of testing and then train lots of drivers.

 

[700007]

Off the top of my head, the first 717 arrived in the UK in July, first passenger run in March. Siemens products seem to work a lot better then Bombardier at the moment. I could be wrong but six months isn't long to do lots of testing and then train lots of drivers.

First was technically September or October but indeed first proper 717 run was March.

 

[hwl]

Anglia's biggest issue will be Driver training: they need to train 100% of drivers on 2 new fleets, still keeping the trains running and make sure the rosters work while introducing the new stock. As GTR and Northern showed last year it is quite hard to do smaller rolling stock introductions let alone ones of this scale.
The 720 delays may well be a blessing in disguise as a more sequential roll out of the new fleets may be a better bet for everyone in reality. (Ditto Stadler Bi-Mode roll-out before the Norwich /Airport EMUs as the initial Stadler training wouldn't need to be on electrified routes)

 

[Shunter_69]

Clacton and Southend Drivers aren’t being trained on the Stadlers as they won’t be driving them. Classroom training for Stadlers is well under way. Aventra training hasn’t started yet.

 

[Owen]

For the person whom asked about SSD 16 car platforms. I seen an 8 car 317 and an 8 car 379 in front of one another on Saturday night. They were not (clearly) coupled.

 

[Class 170101]

For the person whom asked about SSD 16 car platforms. I seen an 8 car 317 and an 8 car 379 in front of one another on Saturday night. They were not (clearly) coupled.

That was me but I was asking for any other combination than 8 + 8.

 

[F Great Eastern]

The new stopping boards that were put in place at many stations for the FLIRTS have now been covered up.

 

[dk1]

The new stopping boards that were put in place at many stations for the FLIRTS have now been covered up.

I thought they where covered up anyway. All I've seen have been.

 

[F Great Eastern]

I thought they where covered up anyway. All I've seen have been.

Maybe they were - I just saw other people say here they saw the boards at the stations and saw some photos on here so I wondered if them covered up was being relatively recent.

Also what's happening with passenger information displays? I saw at Stowmarket they're putting a new style one in like they are using at some of the rural stations which seem to be either lagged behind real time or not working at all. Indeed I spotted more off today than were on.

Please don't tell me they are replacing all of the original LED displays with inferior models too? Why not order some of the full matrix Infotec screens like they have at Cambridge North or even the Thameslink style ones and use this to report capacity levels on the new trains and such and train maps etc.

Or did they think that a full display replacement on the cheap was better than adding screens to stations that needed them and only replacing the ones that needed them? If so, it sounds rather familiar. Infotec have the reputation they have and are the market leaders for a reason.

 

[dk1]

Maybe they were - I just saw other people say here they saw the boards.

Also what's happening with passenger information displays? I saw at Stowmarket they're putting a new style one in like they are using at some of the rural stations which seem to be either lagged behind real time or not working at all.

Please don't tell me they are replacing all of the original LED displays with inferior models too?

The new ones look cheaper, too and the casing looks pathetic, looks done on the cheap.

No idea about screens etc. You mentioned drivers stop boards.

 

[anamyd]

Guys, can someone please tell me which of GA's depots is the "main" one for the 170s specifically...? a Google search came up with conflicting results of Ipswich and Crown Point. Thanks in advance

 

[dk1]

Guys, can someone please tell me which of GA's depots is the "main" one for the 170s specifically...? a Google search came up with conflicting results of Ipswich and Crown Point. Thanks in advance

Nothing at Ipswich apart from stabling. All DMUs are based at Crown Point.

 

[anamyd]

Nothing at Ipswich apart from stabling. All DMUs are based at Crown Point.

Thank you

 

[dk1]

Thank you

Most welcome mate.

 

[Midnight Sun]

Is it actually wide enough to fit a track there?

I would say that it was, from platform eage to platform eage at the end of track is about 8m.

is the pillar a bit too close to the platform edge too?

The picture was taken next the buffers, so less than a coach length to the pillar. still leaving room for a four coach unit.

 

[Railperf]

A triple Class 321 combo on 1P23 0900 norwich to liverpool street... two Renatus units on the rear. Must be short of serviceable 90s today!

 

[Railperf]

The top and tail Class 37s and Mk2 consist being used on Norwich to Great Yarmouth services was also reportedly smashed internally up by a passenger this morning. The offender reported as arrested and in Police custody!

 

[Cletus]

Was on a trio of 321’s from Stowmarket into Norwich - 315,317,344

The 37’s were running in the afternoon, didn’t notice any damage, but was only in one carriage.

 

[EssexGonzo]

A triple Class 321 combo on 1P23 0900 norwich to liverpool street... two Renatus units on the rear. Must be short of serviceable 90s today!

Nothing wrong with a triple 321 - it's what makes me sigh with relief a little further down the line on the way to work. Wouldn't want two hours on one mind.

 

[Railperf]

Was on a trio of 321’s from Stowmarket into Norwich - 315,317,344

The 37’s were running in the afternoon, didn’t notice any damage, but was only in one carriage.

Yes...the 37 was reinstated for the 12.36 to Gt Yarmouth ...filthy condition...but oh....what a glorious noise!!! The 755s need to be delayed into service by ten years!! Lol.
0 to 60mph was pretty quick too..much quicker than the Class 153 substitute earlier in the day.
The triple class 321 combo made some good timings between Norwich and Ipswich arriving almost 3 to 4 mins early at Ipswich!!

 

[dk1]

Yes...the 37 was reinstated for the 12.36 to Gt Yarmouth ...filthy condition...but oh....what a glorious noise!!! The 755s need to be delayed into service by ten years!! Lol.
0 to 60mph was pretty quick too..much quicker than the Class 153 substitute earlier in the day.
The triple class 321 combo made some good timings between Norwich and Ipswich arriving almost 3 to 4 mins early at Ipswich!!

I arrive the same mins early with a 90/DVT. The short hauled set may only get 1-2 washes a week if it's lucky so hence the dreadful exterior condition. No excuse I know.

 

[Railperf]

Nothing wrong with a triple 321 - it's what makes me sigh with relief a little further down the line on the way to work. Wouldn't want two hours on one mind.

Yes the ride is very very jiggly to say the least. The ride on the Renatus units seems worse than a regular 321. I wonder if it has to do with the extra weight they have to carry around. The interiors are very bright and clean though. Maybe a bit sterile ..almost akin to a dentist surgery. The whine of the traction system reminds me of the dentists drill. Around 75 and 80mph there was a particularly nasty resonance.
But jumping straight out of a 321 and into a MK3 coach reminds you how good the MK3's are - even if the interiors now are way past their best looks and comfort wise!

 

[F Great Eastern]

Yes the rife is very very jiggly to say the least. The ride on the Renatus units seems worse than a regular 321. I wonder if it has to do with the extra weight they have to carry around. The interiors are very bright and clean though. Maybe a bit sterile ..almost akin to a dentist surgery. The whine of the traction system reminds me of the dentists drill. Around 75 and 80mph there was a particularly nasty resonance.

I really don't like the Renatus 321s, they look more modern but they have numerous flaws.

I have never had such a rough ride in my almost 20 years of using the GEML as I have on them. Honestly it was so bad that I've seen multiple coffees and phones and stuff on tables go flying in ways I have never seen before. Someone ahead of me put was trying to work on their laptop, but wisely decided it might not be the best idea if they want their laptop to survive the trip. The banging from underneath the train on the most rough riding parts where the train lurched up and down and heavily left and right was the only time I have been a little worried on a train about a potential derailment.

Then you have the broken air conditioning, creating a sauna, with no working Wifi, a PIS that had issues and blocked off plug sockets and every rattle and squeak under the sun in an overly bright environment. It might look more modern, but once again, in typical Abellio fashion, it's style and marketing over substance.

But jumping straight out of a 321 and into a MK3 coach reminds you how good the MK3's are - even if the interiors now are way past their best looks and comfort wise!

I'd place the Renatus 321s right at the bottom of the ride quality ranks on the GEML, they don't touch a 321 that hasn't been refurbished, let alone a 360 which trumps both types of 321.