Siggie in the east

That's a fantastic group of photos!! Hopefully when the units come to colchester, i can get some from the box or from the roof, can get great shots from there without the OHLE getting in the way.

Believe me, we were scratching our heads as well. There are hot axle box detectors all over the place before colchester which could have stopped it. There's a YouTube video of it passing manningtree, i think, and you could hear a strange noise coming from it, bit like flat spots and squeaking, which led us to believe that the handbrake may have been on for only some of the journey, say ripple lane to crown point. So when I previously mentioned that Stadler and DBC are in discussions over whos to blame, is because it was a DBC loco and driver that moved it from Dagenham to norwich and neither know how the damage has been done. This info came from a GA driver during a cab ride I took before Xmas.

There's a few siggies who don't like change and prefer the 90s and mk3s and the 37set.

You say that, the second new unit delivered (which hasn't run since its arrival), had it's handbrake on all the way from Stadler in Europe, hence why we haven't seen it again. DBC and Stadler are arguing over whos to blame and whos going to pay for repairs.

Doesnt really matter what the rolling stock is when it goes up the swanny for us really. Though, if they don't sort the routing issues out, yes it could become a massive headache for us.

Just to advise you all, test trains running to/from diss and norwich between 09:00 and 15:00 tomorrow, between existing services. At the moment, under diesel power only.

Apologies, good point!!

S-ARS is it's more 'polite' name which has the timetable uploaded to the computer system and regulates the trains as per the timetable. If one or another train is running late, it calculates (or should do) which will impact less on the services and then give a proceed aspect to the favourable train. Once the train has cleared the track circuit and the 'route' has died out behind it, within seconds the computer pulls off for the next one. The compiter can pull off automatically quicker than the signaller can manually clicking the entry and exit signals. Clever system when it works correctly.

The issue with the tunnel isn't the centre power car it's the overall length of the carriages. The maximum length is the equivalent to a mk3 so that they can pass without contact. The 745/755 vehicles are alot longer so the overhang on the inside of the radius will cause contact with the walls and/or other units. This is why the class 360s are the length they are. The designers took this feedback when they were under construction and made them the maximum permitted length so that they could get through the tunnel but also get around the triangle at colchester town, which is another area the 745/755s will be barred from.

The route restrictions, apart from the tunnel also include points such as 1326s and 1327s, country end of platforms 2and3 at ipswich, which will greatly reduce the flexibility of the running potential on the panel. This is due to the nose of the 745s and 755s overhanging so far from the bogie and catching on the platform. The delays this will cause, especially during 'autumn working' will be pretty high and will tie the siggies in knots. Looks like there could be issues at colchester and norwich also with the same problem. Sorry to sound like I'm a doom munger but thought this things might be interesting to the guys on here.

Ah but when it comes to the 10car intercity 755s, they have 2 pairs of doors per car, the 745 3car and 4car only have 1. I'm more worried about how badly they have been route restricted at the moment. E.g. 2 Stadler trains of any formation aren't to pass in ipswich tunnel due to gauging and they can only travel over the up line in either direction, so door configurations may not matter at the moment

The doors are wider than that of the ones on the 321's, 360's and 170's which also have double doors. These new units have doors that are big enough so that entering and alighting passengers can both move on and off at the same time, thus making things faster and reducing dwell times.Cheers

At the moment, the first official test is scheduled for Saturday night between diss and lakenham crossover.

On the subject of limited edition locos...... We had this little beauty today on 4L02 sat in our down goods loop. First time I've seen it 'in the flesh' and not on a screen of some sort. Cheers

Those paths are for transit moves not for testing. Testing will take place between diss and lakenham crossover/Victoria sidings overnight, no daytime testing due to needing a signal protection zone.

Sorry, i meant if you get to drive 66701 "colchester PSB". Its allocated up noth all the time and never comes past our box.

Its a regular round our way, does a week of duties on 4LO2 and then disappears for a few months. If you get to drive Colchester PSB can you get a photo of it, weve never seen it here!

A little taster of things to come....4L02 Hams Hall-Felixstowe

Found this outside my window when i arrived for my shift. 3q71 colchester to norwich ready to leave on the reception line. Good luck for your final week Jim, all the best for the next adventure.

1Q99 at Chippenham Jn has caused a bit if an issue this morning.Cat A spad at around 05:30 but cannot be moved until the supervisor arrives from Worcester.

I saw a photo today of the 08s in the depot with the hst, with large flames pouring out of the exhaust of the yellow 08. Not sure how it is now but looked quite bad Regards

Ah right, might miss you tomorrow then. I didnt think you signed anglia, after your last visit to Norwich.

Which routes are you doing Jim? Im on colchester w/s thursday and Norwich panel Friday.

37057 came past us at colchester last night with quite a big group of guys with tripods on the end of platform 3, even at half 11 in the evening

Your 1Q96 from last night just passed us in colchester as 1Q97. Heading down to sunny Clacton-liverpool st - Cambridge Regards