Just been watching the BBC News regarding new franchises coming in, and saw this the Class 755. Sometimes referred to as the East Anglia Main Line.
The Great Eastern Main Line has been suggested several times. I think the question relates to DTG's plea that any suggestions made go into detail about the line, why it would be good for TSW and what game-play would be involved. Imagine someone has never heard of the line, has no idea what it's all about and therefore needs a full introduction to it. That's basically what DTG want from suggestions. However, I should caution that this has been suggested a few times (I think I was one of them), it's a popular choice already and therefore it may be easier to add your voice to the existing threads on it rather than make a big presentation for it. I should also make a polite point that the train you've shown is a Class 745 (they are excellent trains, I was on one last weekend) the Class 755 are the shorter bi-mode units that are mostly found away from the mainline up in rural East Anglia. The other regularly diagrammed train on the GEML is the Aventra Class 720 (see photo below) which provides the stopping services. They're like the 710s but the coaches are longer at 23m (a 5 car Class 720 unit is approximately the same length as 6 standard 20m carriages) and they have a totally different interior. Hope that helps.
I wasn't sure where to put this news but seeing as it's a thread regarding the GEML I thought I'd add it here. A friend (hello Mark, if you're reading this) has said that Ipswich Transport Society are reporting that 12 Class 720s are getting a refit with 2+2 seating and luggage racks and will be used on the Stansted Express. This means that most (if not all) of the 745/1s (the ones without a buffet or 1st class) will be moved to London - Ipswich - Norwich services, which also means the end of the occasional 755 turns to the Capital so catch them while you can! I'm also hoping this means the aborted plan from about 5 years ago to put 5 x 745/1 s on some of the Clacton - London services has been reignited.
It should really be in Off Topic as prototype talk, or if making a suggestion in the Suggestions forum, along with a proposal for the route it could run on. I think a Flirt unit has more chance of coming to TSW as a Class 231 for CCN, maybe with a bit more route to go along with it.
"prototype"? But yes to it being in Suggestions Forum, I hadn't noticed that it wasn't, perhaps the mods can kindly move it for the OP. I think the Anglia Flirts are more likely given that we're the other region of the UK that's had a long wait for some TSW content. Also, I can see Wherry Lines making it to TSW given its popularity in TSC and that it's a relatively small network that would be ideal for one of the TP route builders to make. Though whether it would be modern, recent transition or retro will depend on which route builder makes it I guess.
tootyhoot I agree, hence my much longer, more constructive post. I think it really is important that more experienced users guide the newer ones rather than typing something that could be interpreted as surly or snarky with them. My advice to everyone is......re-read what you've typed before you post. Ask yourself, would you like to be treated in the manner in which you're behaving to others?
Alternatively. "I realise someone's already said this, but if one of the mods can move this to the right section, I'd really appreciate it".
I think the 745s/755s look ugly tbh. But if it means a route in a region not yet seen in TSW, I'll take it. Haven't Greater Anglia just been renationalised?
Agreed, but I guess they grow on you over time. I didn't like the class 710 at first, then ended-up doing back-to-back runs with it on WCMLS.
The 745s/755s aren't an aesthetically clean design but the ride quality, good seats and high performance won me over. The TSC ones are nice to drive, the controls are very different from UK trains and the diesel engines on the 755s sound great. I also love a nice view from the cab with that central driving position and big windscreen. First low-floor trains in the UK too which for disabled old duffers like me, is a good thing. They feel so much more refined than the IETs.
I would actually take Wherry Lines with a Basil to get that pleasant sounding diesel engine (with a caveat we later on get a Diesel Legends of East Anglia to add a Cravens DMU and a 1970’s summer Saturday timetable to Yarmouth!).
I'd love a GEML route but for me it'd be quite wasted if it was set post-Covid. Nowadays all services apart from the 2tph Liv St. to Norwich are all Aventras, which (no disrespect to anyone that likes them) I find to be one of the most boring trains I've known. Before the "Aventra invasion", you had 315s on the Shenfield stoppers which could be built off the existing 314, 360s which is a 350 without a gangway, and 321s, which would be the first Mk3 based EMU in the game.
The Aventras are pretty good from a passenger point of view, especially as the 720s are now having some of their seats taken out to aid access. 2+2 seating would far better but other than that they do a good job for what they are, commuter trains. There are certainly worse newish trains out there (sitting on the 700s for over an hour is unpleasant, to put it politely). But I totally agree from an enthusiasts point of view. The GEML had 309s, 312s, 315s, 321s and 86s (with the occasional 317/6) when I first started using it, not to mention the Saturday night special, a 2-car 150/2 last train up to Liverpool Street. The West Anglia line was even better with 302s,305s,310s,315s,317s,321s and 322s back then in 1992. The hoards of enthusiasts that used to stand at Bethnal Green says it all, it's rare to see them there now when you have only Aventras and Flirts to watch.
I've only been on a 720 once, and I usually don't mind 3+2 seating but you can barely walk through the aisle, it's like they've tried to cram in as many seats as possible. Fantastic news that they're having seats taken out.
