AGA out of DMUs?

[yorksrob]

That was about 15 years ago, when Anglia Railways terminated the hire contract and First Great Eastern had to scramble around for something.

Ah well. A nice little arrangement with a local preserved railway might be a good thing. Get a unit signed up and certified. Nice and close by for occasional staff training. Easy to borrow at short notice.

 

[CockneySparrow]

I think the regulator should force AGA to run trains, I do not travel on Marks Tey-Sudbury but local radio said it takes extra 40 mins by bus.and it been a week now
There must be charter stock they could hire, is the spare 37 set at Norwich running full time
It seems to me they have taken the easy way out hire a bus, cheaper than getting some stock from somewhere

The class 37 set is being run full time, they could get in a couple of class 47s from DRS but then you have driver/route training also they are slow
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Are we expecting a small DMU order in the next franchise? They've had to make do with not enough units for too long now, and although the enthusiasts would love it to be the hauled set isn't a long term solution really.

Not a question of ordering more DMUs but a question of AGA paying the lease company that owns them

AGA has I think 26 DMUs for 23 diagrams they think it is enough

 

[scott118]

09.00 - 95 cancellations

even their twitter is encountering flat spots - "**A twitter server issue is preventing some responses and updates to be sent, will reply as soon as we can!**"

 

[158722]

The class 37 set is being run full time, they could get in a couple of class 47s from DRS but then you have driver/route training also they are slow

Not a question of ordering more DMUs but a question of AGA paying the lease company that owns them

AGA has I think 26 DMUs for 23 diagrams they think it is enough

DRS has almost finished with its 47s - 805/818 stored and moved to Kingmoor yesterday, leaving just 790 (OOU) and 828. Forget hiring DRS 47s...

As for 37/4s, until 407/424 and perhaps 413 come back into traffic, along with hired in 403 from the SRPS, forget DRS taking on any more contracts for supplying such locos. Just not enough to go around.

 

[FordFocus]

Questions about fantasty ideas about preserved stock running...

Are they mainline certificated?
Are they fit to run?
Are they fitted with TPWS?
Are they fitted with OTMR?
Are they fitted with GSM-R?
Are they fitted with CDL?
Who will drive the train and are they mainline certified with a valid medical and rules competency?
Will a route conductor be required?
Who and how will the guard sign the units in question?
Is the unit cleared for the lines?

Loads of questions

 

[Trainfan344]

Haven't the Mid Norfolk got a couple of main line registered 47's?

Looks like things are getting worse for Abellio:

No services between Norwich and Great Yarmouth via Acle until end of service Sunday 22nd November

No services between Peterborough and Ipswich via Ely until end of service Sunday 22nd November

No services between Marks Tey and Sudbury until end of service Sunday 22nd November.

 

[Dave1987]

Questions about fantasty ideas about preserved stock running...

Are they mainline certificated?
Are they fit to run?
Are they fitted with TPWS?
Are they fitted with OTMR?
Are they fitted with GSM-R?
Are they fitted with CDL?
Who will drive the train and are they mainline certified with a valid medical and rules competency?
Will a route conductor be required?
Who and how will the guard sign the units in question?
Is the unit cleared for the lines?

Loads of questions

Surely it only has to be someone who's driven one on a preserved railway and thinks they could do it on the mainline?

That was a joke by the way to anyone that has never heard of such a thing!

 

[eastdyke]

It looks like AGA have just got 1 back, from NRE:

More trains than usual needing repairs at the same time means that a very reduced service will operate between Ipswich and Peterborough via Ely. This is expected to continue until the end of service on Sunday 22 November.

For Thursday 19 November, the following trains will run:

16:01 Ipswich to Peterborough
17:50 Peterborough to Ipswich
20:00 Ipswich to Peterborough
21:45 Peterborough to Ipswich.

We have a unit!

 

[scott118]

It looks like AGA have just got 1 back, from NRE:
We have a unit!

maybe, however, does it have all the toilets locked out of use?

 

[eastdyke]

maybe, however, does it have all the toilets locked out of use?

Are they softening passengers up for when all rural AGA customers might prefer a bus?

 

[yorksrob]

Questions about fantasty ideas about preserved stock running...

Are they mainline certificated?
Are they fit to run?
Are they fitted with TPWS?
Are they fitted with OTMR?
Are they fitted with GSM-R?
Are they fitted with CDL?
Who will drive the train and are they mainline certified with a valid medical and rules competency?
Will a route conductor be required?
Who and how will the guard sign the units in question?
Is the unit cleared for the lines?

Loads of questions

Perhaps they could get a derogation for a comparatively separate section such as the Sudbury branch.

 

[CockneySparrow]

DRS has almost finished with its 47s - 805/818 stored and moved to Kingmoor yesterday, leaving just 790 (OOU) and 828. Forget hiring DRS 47s...

As for 37/4s, until 407/424 and perhaps 413 come back into traffic, along with hired in 403 from the SRPS, forget DRS taking on any more contracts for supplying such locos. Just not enough to go around.

Why would they want to store the class 47s then not have enough 37/4s to go around, seems like bad management to me
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Haven't the Mid Norfolk got a couple of main line registered 47's?

Looks like things are getting worse for Abellio:

No services between Norwich and Great Yarmouth via Acle until end of service Sunday 22nd November

No services between Peterborough and Ipswich via Ely until end of service Sunday 22nd November

No services between Marks Tey and Sudbury until end of service Sunday 22nd November.

How would delay repay work if you went from Ely to Felixstowe

 

[LAX54]

Abellio Greater Anglia, not doing very well at all ! for over a week now, there have been no Marks Tey to Sudbury, No Ipswich to Felixstowe. No Norwich to Great Yarmouth, via Acle or Reedham ! on the brighter side, the freight trains to and from Felixstowe hve never had it so good all down to square wheels it seems

 

[scott118]

same sh*t, different day..:roll:

07.00 - 112 cancellations

 

[Trainfan344]

At this rate it'll just be the Short set running...

 

[Starmill]

Hahaha oh dear. The 1700 London Liverpool Street to Norwich has been cancelled due to a 'sandbox fault'!

 

[bramling]

Questions about fantasty ideas about preserved stock running...

Are they mainline certificated?
Are they fit to run?
Are they fitted with TPWS?
Are they fitted with OTMR?
Are they fitted with GSM-R?
Are they fitted with CDL?
Who will drive the train and are they mainline certified with a valid medical and rules competency?
Will a route conductor be required?
Who and how will the guard sign the units in question?
Is the unit cleared for the lines?

Loads of questions

The only unit I can think of that would meet most or all of these requirements would be the Hastings unit, maybe?

 

[43074]

Is there a particular reason why this year's leaf fall has been notably bad in this area? Are they not doing something this year that they have in previous years or what? It's not as if it's a particularly unknown phenomena that trees should shed their leaves at this time of year...

I don't buy the argument that it's the lack of contingency which is causing it to be so bad... yes they're desperately short of DMUs (and have been for some years) but the size of DMU fleet has been constant for quite a while now, and I'm sure last year wasn't as bad as this.

 

[colchesterken]

The problem seems to be, there is no slack in the system, everything is run by accountants why not keep back from scrapping some stock for emergencies in warm store
I saw a vid the other day in 1955 BR only used in front line service daily 1/3 of its coaches, the rest were for stand by and holiday traffic
When the pacers go lets keep a few to fit in for times like this. I am sure the people of Sudbury would welcome a pacer rather than a bus
I seems like AGA have given up, could it be they think they will not get the new franchise
so will not commit to the cost of hiring in some stock the problem of route and traction knowledge could be overcome by using the regular drivers as pilots, me thinks the bus is a cheaper way than phoning Harry Needle.

 

[Dave1987]

The problem seems to be, there is no slack in the system, everything is run by accountants why not keep back from scrapping some stock for emergencies in warm store
I saw a vid the other day in 1955 BR only used in front line service daily 1/3 of its coaches, the rest were for stand by and holiday traffic
When the pacers go lets keep a few to fit in for times like this. I am sure the people of Sudbury would welcome a pacer rather than a bus
I seems like AGA have given up, could it be they think they will not get the new franchise
so will not commit to the cost of hiring in some stock the problem of route and traction knowledge could be overcome by using the regular drivers as pilots, me thinks the bus is a cheaper way than phoning Harry Needle.

Really? So you think there will be enough drivers who sign the traction to work the services all day being conducted by diagramed driver?

 

[87015]

Is there a particular reason why this year's leaf fall has been notably bad in this area? Are they not doing something this year that they have in previous years or what? It's not as if it's a particularly unknown phenomena that trees should shed their leaves at this time of year...

I don't buy the argument that it's the lack of contingency which is causing it to be so bad... yes they're desperately short of DMUs (and have been for some years) but the size of DMU fleet has been constant for quite a while now, and I'm sure last year wasn't as bad as this.

AGA reduced the lathe capacity to cut costs - hence far more laid up as can't be returned to service anywhere near as fast.

 

[CockneySparrow]

AGA reduced the lathe capacity to cut costs - hence far more laid up as can't be returned to service anywhere near as fast.

Plus the treatment train got derailed a couple of weeks ago after leaving the MNR so was out of action for a few days, not sure whether that caused any issues

 

[Dave1987]

AGA reduced the lathe capacity to cut costs - hence far more laid up as can't be returned to service anywhere near as fast.

Didn't think the lathe was run by AGA.

 

[LAX54]

The problem seems to be, there is no slack in the system, everything is run by accountants why not keep back from scrapping some stock for emergencies in warm store
I saw a vid the other day in 1955 BR only used in front line service daily 1/3 of its coaches, the rest were for stand by and holiday traffic
When the pacers go lets keep a few to fit in for times like this. I am sure the people of Sudbury would welcome a pacer rather than a bus
I seems like AGA have given up, could it be they think they will not get the new franchise
so will not commit to the cost of hiring in some stock the problem of route and traction knowledge could be overcome by using the regular drivers as pilots, me thinks the bus is a cheaper way than phoning Harry Needle.

I understand AGA did look at hiring in units, but traction knowledge, insuarance, and miles of red tape made it virtually impossible it seems

on the bright side 156409 has just arrived back in norwich from Etches Park

 

[Bletchleyite]

Funny how other TOCs have done precisely that.

 

[PHILIPE]

Funny how other TOCs have done precisely that.

Which ones?

 

[Bungle965]

Which ones?

If Neil is referring to the hiring of DMU`s then GWR have 2 SWT 158s during the summer and also a couple of years ago Northern also hired in a SWT 158.
Sam

 

[PHILIPE]

If Neil is referring to the hiring of DMU`s then GWR have 2 SWT 158s during the summer and also a couple of years ago Northern also hired in a SWT 158.
Sam

The GWR 158 hires are ongoing (permanent) hires (1 not 2) not spot hires to cover contingencies. EMT have a SWT one as well but in the same category as the GWR ones. Can't recall Northern hiring one though.

 

[FordFocus]

AGA reduced the lathe capacity to cut costs - hence far more laid up as can't be returned to service anywhere near as fast.

I'm curious to how a lathe capacity can be cut? Is it not a fitted in at the depot with specialist fitters operating it?

Not like Abellio to cost cut...........

 

[WarrenTManager]

The GWR 158 hires are ongoing (permanent) hires (1 not 2) not spot hires to cover contingencies. EMT have a SWT one as well but in the same category as the GWR ones. Can't recall Northern hiring one though.

AGA don't have 158/159s though so wouldn't there be kerfuffle and red tape for safety cases etc?