Recent content by klewer

The time of day really does matter - in the peaks you will see many more services crammed on to the mainline, and stopping patterns will vary in order to meet passenger demand from smaller stations that don't warrant a frequent service off peak. This change in stopping patterns doesn't only...

From memory, the First Great Eastern plan was to paint them all blue and then add “Barbie” decals, and they also intended to replace all seating with a new, high-backed design. Unfortunately they were informed that they wouldn’t be getting the new franchise after these few units were done, so...

Nope, it’s still adorned with the multi-colour seating. Have a feeling GA will leave it that way..

I’m on it at the moment, winging its way to London as 1N03. Actually feels very “different” to the Renatus 321’s with blue LED lighting under the luggage racks, and for some reason it has (sealed) hopper windows fitted...

It’s actually not relevant at all, GA require you to enter the ticket number as part of making the claim. If they are trying to avoid multiple claims against one ticket they could look up the information themselves. Regardless of this, the Delay Repay team should have no interest in how many...

Wonder if anyone has any advice to give here. I was on a delayed (30 mins plus) GA train on the 25th June so put a claim in via their Delay Repay website. As part of the process I uploaded a picture of the ticket which was an Off Peak day return. Yesterday I received an email requesting a...

They've done 35+ years of drama-free service and could probably keep going for many years to come. Great suburban unit and will be a shame to see them go.

Will probably see some disagreements on this, but my vote goes with the Class 320/321/322 series of EMU's. Well-designed, reliable, spacious units that (depending on configuration) can either work on stopping services or speed down the mainline at around 100mph. Their ability to move hundreds...

Wonder if they'll do a "c2c" and hold back any rebrand until the new stock is delivered?

Can already imagine posts suggesting they're hauled by 67's on TPE/MML/anywhere. *shudders* Personally, the drivers who I've spoken to regard the GEML fleet as "shagged" and having provided 30 years' service by the time they're replaced it's probably time for them to be scrapped, along with...

Personally, I'm pleased that it's gone the way it has - the region has been crying out for new stock for the last few years and by replacing everything EMU with Aventra type stock they'll have far more flexibility across the fleet than at present. The fact that they'll be maintaining just two...

Used to love the sound of the 312's especially when thundering down the GEML at 90...

Managed to get it in on c2c's (excellent) "last blue train" tour a couple of years back. Was probably the only chance I'll ever have to do that section..

Based on my experience of them last time round, I sincerely hope that doesn't happen!

From my perspective as a commuter, they were brilliant things. Always a better option than a 321 in the summer thanks to the mass of opening windows, far more comfortable thanks to the properly sprung seats and they coped well with the accelerated timetable that fGE introduced. Was a shame...