Greater Anglia Unit Failures

[CockneySparrow]

Wonder if the off the wire 379 trials will be sucessfull enough to run through to/from Great Yarmouth thus making the drags redundant eventually.

wouldn't have thought you would ever see a 379 at Yarmouth

 

[jopsuk]

but those carriages won't be used for the summer timetabled drags though

Well no, because part of the point of those is that you can board a train in London and get to Great Yarmouth without changing.

 

[klewer]

Well no, because part of the point of those is that you can board a train in London and get to Great Yarmouth without changing.

...and something like a 379 would be a great replacement for the LHCS from Liverpool Street.

Sure the Norfolk commuters wouldn't like them (even though they've got 2+2 seating throughout) but better acceleration, ability to shorten/lengthen sets and less reliance on a single traction source would be an all round winner for those services.

Not quite sure how many seats a 90+MK3 set has got, but I can imagine there'd be a worthwhile jump in capacity too.

 

[CockneySparrow]

...and something like a 379 would be a great replacement for the LHCS from Liverpool Street.

Sure the Norfolk commuters wouldn't like them (even though they've got 2+2 seating throughout) but better acceleration, ability to shorten/lengthen sets and less reliance on a single traction source would be an all round winner for those services.

Not quite sure how many seats a 90+MK3 set has got, but I can imagine there'd be a worthwhile jump in capacity too.

379s to Norwich would be awful, yes they are better than 317s only because they are new and have better seat and table set up, but the seats to sit in are rock hard and the interior is cheap

 

[dk1]

379s to Norwich would be awful, yes they are better than 317s only because they are new and have better seat and table set up, but the seats to sit in are rock hard and the interior is cheap

But this is only Yarmouth

 

[Dave1987]

...and something like a 379 would be a great replacement for the LHCS from Liverpool Street.

Sure the Norfolk commuters wouldn't like them (even though they've got 2+2 seating throughout) but better acceleration, ability to shorten/lengthen sets and less reliance on a single traction source would be an all round winner for those services.

Not quite sure how many seats a 90+MK3 set has got, but I can imagine there'd be a worthwhile jump in capacity too.

I don't know why on earth you think the Norwich need to be shortened at any point during the day. They are always wedged as they are coming through Colchester apart from the early morning down roads and the last London bound service but they need to be full length for their return working. Plus from what I've been told by Cambridge and Bishops Stortford drivers the 379's are rubbish. Keep the hauled sets, give them a thorough refurb, convert the DVT. Plus I've been told 10 coaches are nothing for a class 90 so you point about acceleration is a mute one.

 

[dk1]

I don't know why on earth you think the Norwich need to be shortened at any point during the day. They are always wedged as they are coming through Colchester apart from the early morning down roads and the last London bound service but they need to be full length for their return working. Plus from what I've been told by Cambridge and Bishops Stortford drivers the 379's are rubbish. Keep the hauled sets, give them a thorough refurb, convert the DVT. Plus I've been told 10 coaches are nothing for a class 90 so you point about acceleration is a mute one.

Exactly. We have been here so many times. You cannot shorten the Norwich sets due to sheer loadings. The route has very well loaded trains throughout the day in one direction or another. Wish some of these speculators actually travelled on them.

 

[WestCountry]

But this is only Yarmouth

If he's proposing using them instead of the Yarmouth drags, that includes the London-Norwich run...

 

[badassunicorn]

I don't know why on earth you think the Norwich need to be shortened at any point during the day. They are always wedged as they are coming through Colchester apart from the early morning down roads and the last London bound service but they need to be full length for their return working. Plus from what I've been told by Cambridge and Bishops Stortford drivers the 379's are rubbish. Keep the hauled sets, give them a thorough refurb, convert the DVT. Plus I've been told 10 coaches are nothing for a class 90 so you point about acceleration is a mute one.

I've heard the opposite about 379's actually, that they are very nice to drive, its just when things go wrong on 379's there is rarely anything that can be done on the spot to rectify them.

 

[Dave1987]

I've heard the opposite about 379's actually, that they are very nice to drive, its just when things go wrong on 379's there is rarely anything that can be done on the spot to rectify them.

I've heard some right horror stories about 379's and the problems WA drivers have had with them.

 

[CockneySparrow]

I've heard the opposite about 379's actually, that they are very nice to drive, its just when things go wrong on 379's there is rarely anything that can be done on the spot to rectify them.

I was on one from SED to CBG just before Xmas one broke down at Shepreth Junction but the driver git us going again in 10 minutes
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Noticed a train go past SED today around 11am class 47 with a couple of carriages, odd movement it come from Derby to Norwich, it seems to have lost its way at Ely, surely it should have picked up the Breckland line

 

[jopsuk]

I
Noticed a train go past SED today around 11am class 47 with a couple of carriages, odd movement it come from Derby to Norwich, it seems to have lost its way at Ely, surely it should have picked up the Breckland line

(having looked up SED- Shelford it is then) were the carriages yellow?

 

[CockneySparrow]

(having looked up SED- Shelford it is then) were the carriages yellow?

dont know, only heard the 47 and see the roof of the carriages, why?

 

[jopsuk]

If they were yellow carriages, it could have been a test train, which would explain both it starting at Network Rail in Derby and it taking such a circuitous route to Norwich. There's a "FRGT" service leaving "Norwich Stn C.S.D" (the destination of that train) tomorrow morning that goes to Harwich, reverses, goes to Liverpool Street, reverses, goes to Southend, goes to Liverpool Street, goes to Barking, goes to the Gas Factory Loop, then heads into East Ham depot for the night. Very much test-train routing! Looks like it spends Wednesday on the LTS, then heads to Peterborough on Wednesday night- via Clapham, Barking, Gospel Oak and then the ECML.

 

[TheEdge]

Well I've just got to Norwich and there is (well, 30m ago) a 37 plus an NR test train (not sure what was at the other end) sat in the low level.

 

[eastdyke]

If they were yellow carriages, it could have been a test train, which would explain both it starting at Network Rail in Derby and it taking such a circuitous route to Norwich. There's a "FRGT" service leaving "Norwich Stn C.S.D" (the destination of that train) tomorrow morning that goes to Harwich, reverses, goes to Liverpool Street, reverses, goes to Southend, goes to Liverpool Street, goes to Barking, goes to the Gas Factory Loop, then heads into East Ham depot for the night. Very much test-train routing! Looks like it spends Wednesday on the LTS, then heads to Peterborough on Wednesday night- via Clapham, Barking, Gospel Oak and then the ECML.

Sitting at Norwich when I passed earlier this evening were:

3 Network Rail yellow carriages sandwiched between 2 DRS Cl 37's.

 

[CockneySparrow]

Sitting at Norwich when I passed earlier this evening were:

3 Network Rail yellow carriages sandwiched between 2 DRS Cl 37's.

That will be what it was then, thought it was 47s on it by the noise, as said only see the carriage roof and the noise

 

[Railengineer]

I cant account for the GE side but on the west anglia we have had dozens of failures recently related to GSMR radio. Basically there has been a software upgrade accross alot of the fleet and according to our fitters there were still bugs in the update which causes a GSMR failure code to arise which in turn makes the unit unfit for service. Ive had more train failures recentley due to GSMR problems than I have in past 5 years with other problems combined. 2 weeks ago there were four in one day on the 315s.

from what i hear other operators are not having the same level of problems with the radio, so sounds like bad management. That seems to be the Greater Anglia theme these days doesn't it?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Sitting at Norwich when I passed earlier this evening were:

3 Network Rail yellow carriages sandwiched between 2 DRS Cl 37's.

That might be the GSMR network test train, that has 3 coaches and diesels each end.

 

[Dave1987]

from what i hear other operators are not having the same level of problems with the radio, so sounds like bad management. That seems to be the Greater Anglia theme these days doesn't it?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


That might be the GSMR network test train, that has 3 coaches and diesels each end.

I don't see how it the companies fault for the GSMR faults?

 

[87015]

I don't see how it the companies fault for the GSMR faults?

Because the majority are unit faults rather than system faults? Magic box delay codes suggest. Perhaps the fleet being thrashed to death by GAs decision to increase unit diagram availability requirement and reduce fleet has caught up with them yet again? EMU MTIN down on NXEA days all round at last period figures...

 

[Dave1987]

Because the majority are unit faults rather than system faults? Magic box delay codes suggest. Perhaps the fleet being thrashed to death by GAs decision to increase unit diagram availability requirement and reduce fleet has caught up with them yet again? EMU MTIN down on NXEA days all round at last period figures...

What? A lot of unit failures recently have been caused by GSMR radio problems. What unit faults are you referring to?

 

[badassunicorn]

Btw has anyone noticed the little shark fin on the roof of 315's that have been modded to GSMR?

 

[Railengineer]

Btw has anyone noticed the little shark fin on the roof of 315's that have been modded to GSMR?

Well spotted, thats the antenna for the radio. Look a bit closer and you will see half the countries rolling stock has one now!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I don't see how it the companies fault for the GSMR faults?

The generic problems with the radios are well known. Other operators take action to ensure that there staff understand how to avoid breaking them or work around the problem areas. Greater Anglia cant be a**sed (bothered)

 

[dk1]

What? A lot of unit failures recently have been caused by GSMR radio problems. What unit faults are you referring to?

I've only once had a GSMR problem & that was well over a year ago. Portable loaded on & away we go.

 

[CockneySparrow]

That might be the GSMR network test train, that has 3 coaches and diesels each end.

Its been out and about today, Cambridge to Norwich, Norwich to Ely and Ely to Middleton Towers

 

[dk1]

Its been out and about today, Cambridge to Norwich, Norwich to Ely and Ely to Middleton Towers

Was choking Trowse out when I passed it at 17.39.

 

[northernrailer]

Greater Anglia really are the feeling the strain units wise, at present:

156407 - away at Wolverton.

153314 - away at works, ie flood damage caused at Lowestoft.

156417 - out of service, waiting new wheelsets and will be the next unit to go to Wolverton now because of this.

 

[43074]

Looks as though there's a 321 vice 90+Mark 3 on the Norwich run today:

10:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich due 12:31
Will be formed of 8 coaches. First class reduced. Disabled toilets are not available.
Additional Facilities Information:
No Wi-Fi or wheelchair space available.

13:00 Norwich to London Liverpool Street due 15:03
Will be formed of 8 coaches. First class reduced. Disabled toilets are not available.
Additional Facilities Information:
No Wi-Fi or wheelchair space available.

15:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich due 17:31
Will be formed of 8 coaches. First class reduced. Disabled toilets are not available.
Additional Facilities Information:
No Wi-Fi or wheelchair space available.

18:00 Norwich to London Liverpool Street due 20:03
Will be formed of 8 coaches. First class reduced. Disabled toilets are not available.
Additional Facilities Information:
No Wi-Fi or wheelchair space available.

20:30 London Liverpool Street to Norwich due 22:31
Will be formed of 8 coaches. First class reduced. Disabled toilets are not available.
Additional Facilities Information:
No Wi-Fi or wheelchair space available.

23:05 Norwich to Ipswich due 23:50
Will be formed of 8 coaches. First class reduced. Disabled toilets are not available.
Additional Facilities Information:
No Wi-Fi or wheelchair space available.

The situation must be dire if EMUs are being used on Sundays between Liv St and Norwich, when only an hourly service is booked anyway.

 

[eastdyke]

Looks as though there's a 321 vice 90+Mark 3 on the Norwich run today:



The situation must be dire if EMUs are being used on Sundays between Liv St and Norwich, when only an hourly service is booked anyway.

According to the Class 90 Electric Loco Group website that diagram was being covered today by 90005. Has 90005 failed?

Or has the AJ1G-RFM simply been removed from the usual formation?

 

[43074]

According to the Class 90 Electric Loco Group website that diagram was being covered today by 90005. Has 90005 failed?

Or has the AJ1G-RFM simply been removed from the usual formation?

Presumably so, otherwise it wouldn't have been listed as having no WiFi, limited First Class and no disabled toilets on journey check.