Greater Anglia Rolling Stock Shortages

[F Great Eastern]

Is there any hope of the current issues being resolved anytime soon?

The number of short formations is pretty high and it seems whilst the DMUs have the biggest issues it's also effecting suburban EMU services with the odd 4 car going around in peak also and quite often there is a carriage missing from a few MK3 rakes as well.

I've seen single car 153s subbing for 3 car 170s at peak which must be very interesting to be on board to say the least and there also seems to be a lot of dead units laying around various stations parked up at times and short notice cancellations.

Good example was at Ipswich this morning where a 6 car DMU convoy was leaving Ipswich with a 170 pulling a broken down 156 and a broken down 153.

 

[dp21]

I can't speak for the DMUs but I believe the latest with the Mk3s is to do with an issue with wheelset corrosion.

 

[dp21]

Also bear in mind a couple of the 156s are out long term due to the damage caused by the storms we had not too long ago. Also a number are off for repair for footstep corrosion repairs.

 

[PHILIPE]

The Anglia DMU is very stretched so if any are out of action there is little leeway.

 

[Wivenswold]

dp21, out of interest, have they sent another 170 away for refurb yet or holding off until the 156s are repaired?

A few HSTs might be available soon to make short sets! Tongue in cheek, obvs.

 

[dp21]

Yup, I think one of the 3-cars went away a couple of weeks back. My understanding was that it's the last 3 car to be sent away then it'll just be the remaining 2-cars to do.

Not sure if it's a franchise commitment to have them done by a certain time or a rosco directive but I think given the choice they'd be kept around for a bit.

 

[HLE]

What happened to the 156’s?

 

[Z12XE]

156409 had been at Wolverton, but that's back now
156402 has been out of service following an argument with a tree on the Sudbury line a few weeks ago.

Norwich to Yarmouth and Lowestoft shut all this week for engineering works so hopefully the fewer DMUs required for service should help a little

 

[F Great Eastern]

Hasn't really helped that much - still 153s covering for 3 car 170s today and then you had the two dead trains in Ipswich that had to be pulled by a 170 this morning.

Talk of people physically being unable to board Lowestoft to Ipswich 153 operated peak services.

It's not everyday you see a 3 car + 2 car + 1 car all coupled together!

 

[jamesontheroad]

In addition, the centre car of one of the 3-car 170 units has been parked at Crown Point for a couple of weeks now.

More importantly, word on the ground is that the delivery schedule for the new fleets is already slipping. Richard Clinnick (Editor of Rail) is a Norwich local - I understand he will have some details on revised dates in the next issue of the magazine.

 

[F Great Eastern]

In addition, the centre car of one of the 3-car 170 units has been parked at Crown Point for a couple of weeks now.

More importantly, word on the ground is that the delivery schedule for the new fleets is already slipping. Richard Clinnick (Editor of Rail) is a Norwich local - I understand he will have some details on revised dates in the next issue of the magazine.

I've been predicting this since the start - it was a very ambitious plan for so much to be delivered and replacing a fleet over such a short space of time and it was never going to go as smoothly as they proposed in a million years.

 

[GarethC]

Does anyone know what the issue has been with the diesel fleet over the last week? There have been daily cancellations "due to more trains than normal needing repair". I can't quite work out whether it is individual diagrams or sharing the units out so it isn't the same services being cancelled?

Can anybody confirm which units are away/out of action at the moment?

Thanks,
Gareth

 

[colchesterken]

Short term loan from Vivarail,?. Ideal for Marks Tey and the Norwich locals

 

[adrock1976]

Is the second loco hauled set with Class 68s still available?

This could be used on a temporary basis until the DMUs (or new fleet if and when it arrives) have been fixed.

 

[dk1]

Is the second loco hauled set with Class 68s still available?

This could be used on a temporary basis until the DMUs (or new fleet if and when it arrives) have been fixed.

Class 68 set has been gone for months now. It would require a long term DRS contract with drivers provided from Carlisle again. Can't see that happening as was costing in excess of £35k per week. Only reason it started was due to DfT involvement & insurance for the collision incident with 170204 in April 2016.

Five class 156s where unavailable at the end of last week.

 

[GarethC]

Five class 156s where unavailable at the end of last week.

Ouch! If I've got my numbers right that's nearly 20% of the diesel fleet! Do you know if it's a common issue between all the units?

No wonder there have been short forms and cancellations all over the place. Are the 170 and 153 fleets at full strength?

Thanks for the info
Gareth

 

[dk1]

Ouch! If I've got my numbers right that's nearly 20% of the diesel fleet! Do you know if it's a common issue between all the units?

No wonder there have been short forms and cancellations all over the place. Are the 170 and 153 fleets at full strength?

Thanks for the info
Gareth

Some of the 156 issues are related to issues with the recent cold snap but not sure how many. One was quite severely damaged. No doubt a 170 is away as part of the ongoing refresh so must only be the 153s that are at full strength. The reliability of the 37 short set has left a lot to be desired though.

 

[F Great Eastern]

And don't forget 170204 is a carriage short.

 

[dk1]

And don't forget 170204 is a carriage short.

170202

 

[F Great Eastern]

Sorry - my bad, still early!