The Stadler trains in greater Anglia , are by far superior to many of the current crop of new trains, especially the IET where other forums and magazines covering stories on them , make for a very dim view, with issues of poor interior build quality, over bright lighting
compared for example to the mark 4 grand central coaches used in Wales on their Intercity , having not long been upgraded , and of course a big upgrade during the GNER era , and additional work when Virgin took them , they look fresh and modern to this day.
The IET's by comparison, are wearing badly , one article in a magazine , explained the seat covers had to be totally replaced on GWR sets , the other fixtures and fittings coming loose , squeaking annoyingly for passengers , often power outlets out of use , a real mish mash if issued , they actually did a photo of how a few small changes could really improve them, but that doesn't cover the seat issue, with the cushions in some cases already collapsing , not to mention, GWR sets run even further on some services than the LNER sets.
Add this to the cracks in the underneath it's fairbto say they have not been the best choice . Only EMT are fixing this with very pleasing interiors, far better seats , but inexplicably they are shorter , and at only 5 cars long , means reduced capacity over the excellent 5 and 7 car meridian 222's.
But they did at least listen to the passenger focus groups and the train operator. With lighting similar to the afore mentioned, ex grand central mark4's .
Now I mentioned this as there have been. Onsuch complaints with the greater Anglia stock ( however it says above that Anglia only operates diesel, when in fact they have run with class 86nor 87's( can't remember which ) but later the class 90's and a refurb of the mark3's gave rise to the advert that said Norwich in 90 ( the pledge to run electric trains to Norwich and I guess Stansted and kings Lynn etc in much faster times ) however much ilas the mark3 coaches where nice and smooth, they were not a patch on these ' new ' trains .
Although one thing I don't understand, is why the doors on the intercity versions are not at the inter city positions, and are pretty much identical to the 755 regional units. That said again the interior design is very impressive indeed.
For example TPE spent fortunes buying CAF units that will now transfer ( as has been officially said ) to Chiltern . But again poor build quality , and oddly the same cracking issues as the Hitachi units . And after that experience, the notion that Lner is buying CAF 397's or a variety of that unit to replace the still impressive 91's/mark4 sets, which still look fresh today .
But they would have been far better to use the stadler designs , perhaps moving the doors to the Intercity locations, to separate the passenger areas , sealed off from the cold , when the doors are open at a station .
That aside , they would have made fantastic replacements for TPE, LNER and upcoming open access operators , like the reborn (again) Wrexham /Shropshire services .
And also for Scotrail , for it's Intercity and regional fleet's.
Even the upcoming stalker (!class 99 is it ?) Locos are a fine design . I'd wager Stadler would have also produced superior ' mark 5 coaches for the new locos .
I know that GA are operating the sometimes troubled, Aventura units, which SWT I believe still have not used them in revenue service .
But that aside and even they are a big improvement over the terrible class 156 units etc that ran regional services .
I believe that in order to standardise and lower costs , of quality train fleet's, for other UK operators, Scotrail, more for Wales , TPE and Northern .
They would make for a fantastic long distance and regional fleet .
Recently I saw photos of the 755's running multiple from Liverpool Street to Norwich, showing how flexible these units are .
Yes there were teething issues at first , like the level crossings not detecting the trains , but those were rare .
Every other new fleet , made by Hitachi and CAF seems blighted with issues , poor ride , awful interiors , and lack of catering on GWR for which there is no good excuse for that .
The odd looking mark5's
I would love to see Stadler produce , mark 6 loco hauled stock as an option .
The very fact the TFW followed GA shows how well received the Stadler units are .
Perhaps in time GA might offer new routes to the north , or when the new Reinstated varsity line links up to the GA lines , that could open up to allow GA to link Anglia with the rest of the country.
Sorry for the long post but I'm a real fan of the type , and am impressed by this story of being able to switch while travelling between power sources .
Plus as I say if other operators buy them , then it would standardise UK fleet's , which surely would bring down costs .
I hope to see more of them especially in the north .