Greater Anglia Class 755s (Regional Trains)

[Railperf]

Nothing is flawed & nothing to do with heavier weekday traffic on the route. Times are totally & easily achievable North of Ipswich. It's just the current issues that cause the slight time loss.

The line north of Ipswich seems so lightly used that is definitely NO issue at all. I do wonder how reliable the service will be if much of the current timetable remains as it is!

 

[306024]

The challenge is for NR to keep the route TSR free, or at least within the allowances in the timetable. The 90 minute Norwich paths need everything else operating well to be achievable on a reliable basis though. That’s every day, not just occasionally.

There is also that very long standing 70 TSR at Stowmarket on the up main. Seems to have been there as long as I remember - more than 15 years. I believe due to sighting issues at a path crossing!!

There is a 30mph PSR approaching Billericay for a crossing that closed two years ago so don’t hold your breath for any long term TSRs such as Needham Market on the down.

 

[dk1]

There is also that very long standing 70 TSR at Stowmarket on the up main. Seems to have been there as long as I remember - more than 15 years. I believe due to sighting issues at a path crossing!!

That was removed years ago & it was 60mph. Up main is 100mph. The Down has a short 90mph but that's all.

 

[dk1]

The line north of Ipswich seems so lightly used that is definitely NO issue at all. I do wonder how reliable the service will be if much of the current timetable remains as it is!

I would say North of Haughley Jcn. Only the North Walsham tanks cause any issue here.

 

[306024]

The line north of Ipswich seems so lightly used that is definitely NO issue at all. I do wonder how reliable the service will be if much of the current timetable remains as it is!

Lightly north of Haughley Jn perhaps, but not south of it. Ultimately when the whole fleet has been delivered and the performance of these units (and the OHL power supply) have been proven an accelerated timetable can hopefully be introduced. Until then the current timetable simply gets wider gaps in other services, some of which will be a lead balloon for Essex commuters.

 

[Railperf]

I always understood the Norwich in 90 plan relied on upgrading most of the 100mph sections of route to 110mph. But the ordering of 100mph 720's and 755's seems to indicate that is dead. Even though you can achieve the 90 minute timing at 100mph, it probably would have been handy to have the extra 10mph to make up time if needed.
I used the Loco hauled services in from Manningtree for several years during the overlap between Class 86 and 90 and beyond. Even when running to time - we were frequently checked approaching Colchester, and Shenfield. And having a stopper 3 mins ahead at Stratford seems to guarantee a slow-down. Most trains running into termini seem to suffer adverse signals. Liverpool Street is no exception. I wonder if the situation will become more fluid once the Shenfield to Liverpool Street services are diverted through the Crossrail tunnels, allowing the Clacton's etc to use the electric line platforms?

 

[306024]

Nope, 100 mph max running. Crossrail is no help at all unless Bow Jn is remodelled to be a 70 mph parallel Jn rather than the current 40 mph single lead.

 

[Railperf]

Nope, 100 mph max running. Crossrail is no help at all unless Bow Jn is remodelled to be a 70 mph parallel Jn rather than the current 40 mph single lead.

I thought Bow remodelling is planned ?

 

[306024]

It is, but it is in the ‘we’ll believe it when we see it’ basket. Like Haughley Jn doubling and Liverpool St pfm 16 and 17 lengthening, and numerous other infrastructure related schemes to accommodate the new rolling stock. It will help in the long run, but not immediately.

 

[Dave1987]

I thought Bow remodelling is planned ?

Yeah just like Ely North is going to be remodelled eventually!

 

[jopsuk]

Getting away from infrastructure and timetabling- what's the latest on the units in testing?

 

[dk1]

Getting away from infrastructure and timetabling- what's the latest on the units in testing?

Daylight testing to Yarmouth today with 405.

 

[MikePJ]

A pic of the unit at Norwich, from a GA Conductor on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConductorBlake/status/1089899342125772801

 

[jopsuk]

Thank you. When is the unit that was towed over to Cambridge expected to be out and about?

 

[bspahh]

Thank you. When is the unit that was towed over to Cambridge expected to be out and about?

It just came into platform 3 at Ely (about 9.45)

 

[robreed90001]

It just came into platform 3 at Ely (about 9.45)

this one came from Norwich, has been doing test runs between Norwich and Thetford and a couple to Great Yarmouth this week. 755407 is the unit at Cambridge

 

[LAX54]

It just came into platform 3 at Ely (about 9.45)

It was extended to Ely due to a points failure at Thetford, the result of this was the Norwich to Cambridge was knocked for about 15 mins behind it.

 

[robreed90001]

755405 working test runs from Norwich to Colchester + return and then Norwich to Ipswich + return this morning.

37800 followed the 755 as far as Claydon on it’s Norwich - Colchester run and will follow the 755 back to Norwich on it’s Ipswich to Colchester run.

5Q51 Norwich to Colchester
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91961/2019/02/01/advanced

5Q52 Colchester to Norwich
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91962/2019/02/01/advanced

5Q53 Norwich to Ipswich
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91963/2019/02/01/advanced

5Q54 Ipswich to Norwich
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91964/2019/02/01/advanced

 

[LAX54]

5Q53 never made it to Ipswich, failing at East Suffolk Junction, 5Q54 will start back from there as well, was almost a 37 rescue job, but fixed enough to get home !

 

[Montel Osman]

Saw the 12:30 departure from Ipswich pass my works at Needham @12:40 crawling along at a slow pace. didn't realise they were being tested this week until I saw the first Colchester to Norwich fly past...

Would be interesting to know where they are being tested tomorrow.

 

[LAX54]

Saw the 12:30 departure from Ipswich pass my works at Needham @12:40 crawling along at a slow pace. didn't realise they were being tested this week until I saw the first Colchester to Norwich fly past...

Would be interesting to know where they are being tested tomorrow.

Following other services, and limping home

 

[Montel Osman]

Following other services, and limping home

I see! Did it run into an issue arriving into Ipswich?

Also is 5Q54 Ipswich to Norwich the last test run of today?

 

[samuelmorris]

Would be interested to know what the failure was, assuming that they're prepared to make it public knowledge...

 

[LAX54]

They just said we've broken it ! gone back to Norwich now as booked on 54, last booked trip, think it might have been a simple Ctl-Alt-Delete

 

[samuelmorris]

They just said we've broken it ! gone back to Norwich now as booked on 54, last booked trip, think it might have been a simple Ctl-Alt-Delete

but fixed enough to get home !

suggests otherwise!

 

[TrainTube]

755405 working test runs from Norwich to Colchester + return and then Norwich to Ipswich + return this morning.

37800 followed the 755 as far as Claydon on it’s Norwich - Colchester run and will follow the 755 back to Norwich on it’s Ipswich to Colchester run.

5Q51 Norwich to Colchester
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91961/2019/02/01/advanced

5Q52 Colchester to Norwich
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91962/2019/02/01/advanced

5Q53 Norwich to Ipswich
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91963/2019/02/01/advanced

5Q54 Ipswich to Norwich
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91964/2019/02/01/advanced

God Dammit! I was at Ipswich yesterday hoping that it was on test yesterday! Instead I got Felixstowe services cancelled due to a broken down 153 at Westerfield.

 

[HLE]

They just said we've broken it ! gone back to Norwich now as booked on 54, last booked trip, think it might have been a simple Ctl-Alt-Delete

Send for the dogbox!

 

[LAX54]

assuming all is well, there will be the same runs again tomorrow (2nd)

 

[38Cto15E]

Given that the 755405 is travelling with bags of cement? on board, can I take it that this weeks test runs are for stock testing rather than crew training.

 

[robreed90001]

I see! Did it run into an issue arriving into Ipswich?

Also is 5Q54 Ipswich to Norwich the last test run of today?

5Q54 was the last run for today yes.

Would be interested to know what the failure was, assuming that they're prepared to make it public knowledge...

I’m not sure what exactly the failure was but have heard that everything in the cab decided to stop working/failed (all I know/have heard), everything started working again just as the crew were going to call for the 37 to assist, unit managed to get back to Norwich under its own power with the 37 following from Claydon.