GREATER ANGLIA - CLASS 745 REVIEW

The first time I travelled on the brand-new intercity train was during February 2020, from Colchester to Ipswich, just a random day and thought it was a great opportunity to try a new intercity product. 

I boarded the cutting-edge Class 745 and first impressions were outstanding already even before I sat down, it ticked all boxes from door operation controls to instant acceleration and braking. First impression was the layout of the intercity train which was massive indeed with walk-through interiors which is splendid for lots of customers without touching buttons or those sensitive versions you'd find on the foregoing MK3's. 

Perhaps I have my personal opinion on contrasted things in trains nowadays - like other rail enthusiasts - the cafe bar area was a bit too small for my liking whereas the foregoing MK3's were picture-perfect for room and space for cafe bar employees serving drinks, confectionery to customers. 

A very long train which means lots more seats for customers, walk-through train and a new train. 

GOOD:

1. Spacious train
2. More seats
3. Decent toilet space. 
4. Adequate legroom.
5. Automated capacity screens and destination screens on interior. 
6. Instant acceleration and braking. 
7. Easy walk-through
8. Free WiFi - USB Sockets. 
9. Decent sized luggage racks

BAD

1. You tall enough to hit your head on overhead racks.
2. Cafe bar is rather small. 
3. If one of cars in faulty, whole train needs to be taken out. 
4. Seats are a tiny bit firm, but not too bad.
5. Bike space. 

Overall score: 8.3/10

Greater Anglia, very impressive!

MORE CITAROS FOR IPSWICH BUSES

It seems to be somewhat true that municipal and Suffolk-based bus company Ipswich Buses have recently acquired Mercedes-Benz Citaro's which are going to postdate existing DAF Lowlander DB250LF's 
Myself personally when I first heard of this in February I immediately thought the Versas would be vanishing from Ipswich Buses, yet in April, a wonderful person who lives in Buckinghamshire who knows a few drivers in Ipswich; has said it's DB250's (Lowlanders) and according to another wonderful bloke who lives in Ipswich put a small post confirming this which is was from General Manager of Ipswich Buses.

Looking at this information, it seems that Optare Tempo SR buses 94 - 99 will be vanishing from the 13 routes and exchanging onto 8 routes, whilst these second-hand Citaro's could be employed on 13 routes. 
Now Trentbarton & Knichbus (Sister company) are part of the Wellglade which is a transport group based in Heanor, Derbyshire. 

CREDITS: Chiltern Transport Productions & Jezza (HonestIpswich) who are great people. 

Please stay safe out there!

Local Bus News in Ipswich

Welcome to a blog, as I start with Ipswich Buses with murmurs. This is recent and these could be happening, more Mercedes-Benz Citaro could be arriving to the Ipswich Buses fleet to replace either of the following: Optare Versas or Daf Lowlanders/Scania OmniDekka buses. The news doesn’t stop there, also being recently said that Optare Olympus 68 could be leaving and it’s replacement might be a E400 MMC diesel. This could happen around May 2020 when it’s the corporations' 70th birthday of their first motor bus which is located at the Ipswich Transport Museum (ADX1 - 1950). Could these rumours be genuine as two people have said this, well, three to be speaking truthfully. 6 or even 9 Citaro buses from Knichbus, part of Trent.

More of these types!

Also, with more Ipswich Buses news is that no more repaints haven’t been happening freshly, due to lack of monies in their finances as a few buses require fresh new livery like the E200’s for example as they have mixed colors along the skirts, it needs to be freshened like 81 and 82. 

Plaxton President 25 has been sold at long last, which the duties has passed to Scania 60 for the morning/late-afternoon 914 and mid-morning/afternoon 15’s. Also trainer bus 85 has also left the fleet, with sisters 84/86. But Scottish Dart 137 still rides on the 97/111/116 services. 

For Eastern Counties, accident damage victim 32494 is in Great Yarmouth for stripping before scrapyard, whilst replacement bus 32475 has received 32494’s engine and gearbox which is apparently new; the bus will make an appearance in Ipswich in the coming weeks but in brand-new Ipswich Red’s scheme.