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Post by ServerKing on May 7, 2011 6:40:39 GMT
Seeing as i live on Metro, i rarely get the opportunity to ride the 321's; although 321's sometimes operate a service or two to Gidea Park in which a guard is stationed in the middle of the 8 car operation as the 321's cab layout prevents a head out what the 315's are capable of. The 321's motors sound decent when they're thrashed but as i've stated my rides on the 321 come few and far between. As for the propsed bidders, Go Ahead/ GoVia do a good job on the WCML with London Midland, South Eastern's reputation has increased following from predecessor Connex who where absolutely sh*te in terms of reliability, albeit i'd love to see something like Network South East NSE to return; I miss them old Bing bong announcements, The old livery in and around the stations and the toothpaste liveries on the trains. Abellio, seeing as they currently hold MerseyRail and Northern Rail 50% Shared with Serco, i don't know what to make of them seeing as them two TOC's i've never ridden or experienced; in terms of refurbishment will it be similar to the Abellio Buses seen in london? Stagecoach do a great job with South West Trains, during the snow there was very little, if any disruption to most of their services, IMO they are quite good at responding to events which are out of their control, for example when there was an attempted suicide at Waterloo Station earlier in the year, where 8 platforms had to be closed in the morning peak, some services were altered to terminate short at Clapham Junction which meant that disruption wasn't as bad as it could have been. As for Go Ahead, Southeastern are OK but from using their North Kent Line services alot IMO theres plenty of room for improvement, the ticket office at Belvedere station is rarely open at it's advertised opening time, when the service is disrupted it usually takes many hours for it to get back to schedule and the tatty trains (the 'refreshment' of the class 465's only appears to involve the replacement of the cushion covers and the update of the DVA's, when is the last time these had a decent deep clean ) As for NXEA, I've used them a couple of times, one earlier this year from Walthamstow Central to Liv St which I think was a 315 or a 317, and the carriage which I sat on had one of the inter-carriage doors missing which meant it was quite a noisy ride, and I certainly wouldn't pay extra to sit in the first class area!! The 321's are quite nice and fast though Don't worry, Steve, none of us from Haringey pay when we use the 'First Class' on a 317 ;D I do like the sheer luxury - it's like a chav version of Virgin Upper Class, lol - once you've forced open the rusting sliding door that needs oiling, fancy white pieces of fabric on the headrests tell you you're in First Class, and a sign advising you that you shouldn't be sitting there without a First Class ticket... (yet to see any member of NXEA staff even check tickets in First Class - by which time, I've gotten off at Tottenham Hale ;D )
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Post by snowman on Jun 15, 2011 15:50:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2011 22:34:40 GMT
Looks like its a DIY Door operate which I'm pleased about. I hadn't riden on a Class 90 yet, off all my time traveling on the NXEA, but planning to do so in the mere feature before they get withdrawn.
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Post by john on Jun 20, 2011 11:46:41 GMT
Well I just saw the ultimate oddity, a 317 operating the Upminster branch!!
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Post by RM5chris on Jun 20, 2011 17:21:56 GMT
I dont think it will be that uncommon....
From another forum (Anglia-gen, 26th May 2011)....
The GE only has one diagram for 317s and that's the RMF-UPM shuttle. Eventually the 317/7s will go across to the GEML and be on duties like the Stowmarket starters (to London), the 1702 LST-NRW and 1930 return, and also the Harwich Boat trains. The reason for the 317/7s is because of the luggage space. But this is more than likely to start at the December timetable. The RMF-UPM is diagrammed for a 317/5. Failing that a 317/6. Should then be a 315 or 321. So the sight of a 317/8 yesterday was a bonus.
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Post by john on Jun 20, 2011 18:59:17 GMT
I dont think it will be that uncommon.... From another forum (Anglia-gen, 26th May 2011).... The GE only has one diagram for 317s and that's the RMF-UPM shuttle. Eventually the 317/7s will go across to the GEML and be on duties like the Stowmarket starters (to London), the 1702 LST-NRW and 1930 return, and also the Harwich Boat trains. The reason for the 317/7s is because of the luggage space. But this is more than likely to start at the December timetable. The RMF-UPM is diagrammed for a 317/5. Failing that a 317/6. Should then be a 315 or 321. So the sight of a 317/8 yesterday was a bonus. Chers for the info on that. Think it was a 317/8 I saw today though I couldn't get the number as I was on a 294 going over Brentwood Road at the time. It is odd though how they've moved the 315's off the diagram though. I know until recently it has been a 321. In all reality, the line very rarely needs a 4 car unit operating on it. Could quite easily cope with a 3 or even 2 car unit
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Post by VPL630 on Sept 5, 2011 18:13:42 GMT
Well my mate works at Ilford Depot and he has told me that they have been told to remove all National Expree Branding From trains and stations ASAP so look like a deal has been done Also most of the newly refurbed trains are just plain white with Blue doors and No branding anywhere
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Post by john on Sept 5, 2011 18:25:48 GMT
Well my mate works at Ilford Depot and he has told me that they have been told to remove all National Expree Branding From trains and stations ASAP so look like a deal has been done Also most of the newly refurbed trains are just plain white with Blue doors and No branding anywhere I had noticed something was happening. Saw a 321 fresh from the shop with no branding earlier at Ilford while all the ex-Stansted units have only got East Anglia left on them. Not seen anything happen to other units yet though. Sounds like a pass over of contracts should be soon though as this exact thing happened when First passed the franchise over
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Post by john on Sept 6, 2011 23:20:28 GMT
Ok, something is about to happen. Noticed a 315 in Ilford yard with National Express branding now removed. Don't think any announcement is due before the end of the month but knowing how all this works with TfL, the DfT may have informed companies already. Anyone know anything on the grapevine at all?
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Post by ServerKing on Sept 9, 2011 13:25:46 GMT
Ok, something is about to happen. Noticed a 315 in Ilford yard with National Express branding now removed. Don't think any announcement is due before the end of the month but knowing how all this works with TfL, the DfT may have informed companies already. Anyone know anything on the grapevine at all? Well, according to Wikipedia (we know how reliable that is ;D) it says the bidders for the Greater Anglia franchise are Go-Ahead, Stagecoach and Abellio, so perhaps they've brought the franchise end date forward (though it should be 5/2/12 when it officially ends) I'll scour the rail forums to see what's going down This is an excerpt of a letter sent to a forum member of RailUK who wrote to NXEA asking what was going on.. "We are obligated by the train lease company to remove the branding prior to returning the vehicles at the end of the franchise. We have commenced this now due to the size of the fleets concerned. I am afraid that fleets will not be returned to prior 'one' livery.
I am sorry that I'm unable to provide a more favourable response on this occasion and I thank you once again for taking the time and toruble to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
Victoria Lamb
Customer Relations Advisor
National Express East Anglia "So it's also their spell-checker that is on the blink as well as the traction motors on their Class 317's... and the 321's look dreadful... I rode one from Colchester to Hythe, it was in such a tatty condition So basically NXEA have lost the contract, and have been told to paint the trains white and remove their branding within a 6 month window for when a new operator comes in. I guess its like when you rent a flat and you paint the walls back into Magnolia for the Lettings Agent just before you leave ;D
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2011 15:04:30 GMT
I can confirm that some trains are already plain white. Spotted a Class 317 on the Romford-Upminster shuttle today in plain white.
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Post by romfordbuses on Sept 9, 2011 15:22:58 GMT
I can confirm that some trains are already plain white. Spotted a Class 317 on the Romford-Upminster shuttle today in plain white. You sure it was a 317?
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Post by VPL630 on Sept 9, 2011 20:06:05 GMT
I can confirm that some trains are already plain white. Spotted a Class 317 on the Romford-Upminster shuttle today in plain white. You sure it was a 317? Yes there are a few plain white ones i think, will have a check on sunday
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Post by TA1 on Sept 9, 2011 20:07:48 GMT
I can confirm that some trains are already plain white. Spotted a Class 317 on the Romford-Upminster shuttle today in plain white. You sure it was a 317? The most recent 317's repainted have been devoided of the NX connection lines and been painted in plain white with simple National Express Branding. Until further notice, The Upminster-Romford shuttle is operated by a 317 so alex observed rightly.
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Post by romfordbuses on Sept 9, 2011 21:33:21 GMT
No worries, Just wondered Would just be my luck that I've used the branch twice in the last couple of months and its been a 315 Will have to try 'bash' that then, Got a soft spot for them and the branch after getting a cab ride on a 321 on it ;D
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