… but snow and ice forces Greater Anglia to sideline Class 745s
Class 745 electric multiple units were removed from traffic by Greater Anglia for two days in early February, due to problems encountered with the wintery conditions.
The operator’s 20 12-car electric multiple units, built by Stadler in Switzerland, were initially restricted to slower running on the Great Eastern Main Line and Stansted Express routes before they were then removed from traffic.
Ice had been accumulating at high speed on the vehicles, with debris flung up as a result. This was caused through a combination of snow, ice, strong winds and sub-zero conditions. Windows, lights and bodywork on other GA trains were damaged by the debris from the ‘745s’.
As a result, bi-mode Class 755s were deployed on the GEML route, running as far as Colchester. These were also limited to 60mph rather than their usual 100mph, which meant they could not serve the capital.
The bi-mode units were also operating at reduced speeds on the rural routes where they usually run, although with limited impact on services. The ‘755s’ were available because of GA’s reduction in the number of trains it is currently running due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Although built in Switzerland, the ‘745s’ are specified for the UK weather, rather than Swiss. The British-built Class 90s they replaced last year also suffered problems with snow ingress when they first transferred to Great Eastern Main Line passenger duties in 2004-06.