Suggestions for solving Greater Anglia rolling stock shortage

[Bringback309s]

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/greater-anglia-rolling-stock-updates.143516/

With no realistic end in sight to GA issues, how difficult would it really be to get some 365's and or GWR HSTs in (short or long formed) to cover?

How many hours training would drivers need?

I find it ludicrous that recently refurbished and PRM compliant stock languishes in sidings while conked out tat is kept going under a disillusion of new stock suddenly springing into life!

Now that computers power our bespoke route-designed trains, they are clearly not fit for purpose like the good old days of slam door stock with relays and greasy bits that could go on just about any route.

Having worked in IT I know how fundamentally unreliable computers are, our trains are not going to become more reliable, I don't think one single recent fleet of units has actually been introduced into service on time.

 

[MrPIC]

I think at this point, as far as Anglia is concerned, trying to deploy *another* fleet of trains, even temporarily would be impossible, not just because of having to train staff on *another* fleet, not to mention maintenance and depot capacity, train planning and everything else.
As for the good old days of slam door stock, you're kidding right?

 

[Shunter_69]

HST’s aren’t PRM-TSI compliant. Not sure they are cleared for GEML either.

365’s have gauging issues through Ilford at least.

 

[Bringback309s]

I think at this point, as far as Anglia is concerned, trying to deploy *another* fleet of trains, even temporarily would be impossible, not just because of having to train staff on *another* fleet, not to mention maintenance and depot capacity, train planning and everything else.
As for the good old days of slam door stock, you're kidding right?

I'm not "bringback309s" because I prefer 321s! I remember the uproar from commuters when our comfy and roomy 309's got taken away being told they were only good for scrap, then it got out that they actually went to further use in Manchester. When a 307 wasn't available, they sent a 305 in (I remember low backed seating on the St Botolphs shuttles). Now we can't send a 360 to Southend or Norwich, a 365 doesn't fit through Ilford, drivers don't understand a 170 from a 156, no more 315s to Southend when needed, no 37 instead of a 47, one leasing company can't allow stock to be released due to paperwork, this is progress on the railways? So no, I'm not kidding!

 

[dk1]

HSTs have often travelled the length of the GEML especially in the 90s. The thought of them being introduced as a stop gap is plainly ludicrous. Apart from the prohibitive training costs they would not be permitted into platforms 11-18 at Liverpool Street and how on earth would power cars be fuelled without bringing Crown Point to a total standstill?

 

[J@ke]

What about using HST coaches and having a hired in 90/DVT on the end? Surely drivers would be trained on these and they could either make more 9 coach sets or end 321 replacements?

 

[dk1]

What about using HST coaches and having a hired in 90/DVT on the end? Surely drivers would be trained on these and they could either make more 9 coach sets or end 321 replacements?

They are not compatible.

 

[trebor79]

How about stumping up to pay for the repairs/exams or whatever are necessary to get some of the existing fleet Mk3's back into action on the GEML?
No training issues, no new stock issues, no incompatibility issues. Just the stock they've already got brought back into use until the 745s start to be deployed.

 

[NoMorePacers]

How about stumping up to pay for the repairs/exams or whatever are necessary to get some of the existing fleet Mk3's back into action on the GEML?
No training issues, no new stock issues, no incompatibility issues. Just the stock they've already got brought back into use until the 745s start to be deployed.

The problem is that would be a reasonable idea. Which cannot happen.

 

[dk1]

The problem is that would be a reasonable idea. Which cannot happen.

Most of these are now out of hours before overhaul I was told. They won't be back in traffic anytime soon I fear.

 

[trebor79]

Most of these are now out of hours before overhaul I was told. They won't be back in traffic anytime soon I fear.

Derogation to allow temporary use with an exam to check they are safe to run? Sure they might be a bit tatty internally but I'll take that over no train or a 321.

What is happening to the catering staff with all these cancellations, no buffet and EMU substitution? Is there going to be anyone left to man the cafe bar in the new units?

 

[dk1]

Derogation to allow temporary use with an exam to check they are safe to run? Sure they might be a bit tatty internally but I'll take that over no train or a 321.

What is happening to the catering staff with all these cancellations, no buffet and EMU substitution? Is there going to be anyone left to man the cafe bar in the new units?

It doesn't make any difference to the catering staff. They all get booked on as normal. The roster has to be adhered to train or no train.

 

[Energy]

How about stumping up to pay for the repairs/exams or whatever are necessary to get some of the existing fleet Mk3's back into action on the GEML?
No training issues, no new stock issues, no incompatibility issues. Just the stock they've already got brought back into use until the 745s start to be deployed.

Nobody wants to pay when the trains have a short amount of life left. They aren't going to do it because some enthusiasts are going to have a nostalgia kick, there has to be a financial incentive.

 

[trebor79]

Nobody wants to pay when the trains have a short amount of life left. They aren't going to do it because some enthusiasts are going to have a nostalgia kick, there has to be a financial incentive.

It's not for nostalgia, it's so they can run a decent service until the (delayed) 745s are in traffic.

 

[coradiafan2000]

Another thread on here talks about the future of c2c's 387s. Surely it would be easy to integrate those into the Greater anglia Fleet? Or am I missing something?

 

[Alfie1014]

Another thread on here talks about the future of c2c's 387s. Surely it would be easy to integrate those into the Greater anglia Fleet? Or am I missing something?

Well the 387s on c2c don't become available until 2021/2 whereas GA is short of trains now and by 2021/2 'should' have all its own 720s, 745s and 755s in service!

 

[coradiafan2000]

Well the 387s on c2c don't become available until 2021/2 whereas GA is short of trains now and by 2021/2 'should' have all its own 720s, 745s and 755s in service!

Ah right. My bad.

 

[talltim]

Nobody wants to pay when the trains have a short amount of life left. They aren't going to do it because some enthusiasts are going to have a nostalgia kick, there has to be a financial incentive.

How about a big fine for not running trains?

 

[Tobbes]

The Greater Anglia crews seem to be valiantly pressing on with ever less servicable kit - the number short formed services and of toilets locked out of service seems to be increasing; the Mk 3 I was on tonight (Coach C of 1902 ex LST) was noted as having a failed roof tank dated June 2019. I'm all for spending money sensibly, but the season tickets aren't exactly cheap, and GA management can and should do better. If the 745s aren't going to be ready in Jan/Feb, then Abellio GA need to bite the bullet and get the Mark 3 sets up to a good basic standard - they can have a contractual argument with Stadler over who pays, but I know I pay a lot of money each month and am not getting the product I have paid for.

 

[38Cto15E]

No options but to bring back the DRS short set for a while. Please

 

[DannyMich2018]

How about phoning DRS or WCRC (loco hauled Windermere style) or even grabbing some Pacers from Booths... seriously this is not a great situation this weekend is gonna be busy to due to christmas shoppers etc.