In August 2016, Greater Anglia was awarded the East Anglia franchise with a commitment to replace all of the existing fleet with modern trains. As part of this an order was placed with Stadler Rail for 38 bi-mode multiple units that would join the FLIRT family. These new trains were classified as Class 755s with the order composing of 14 three-car 755/3 sets and 24 four-car 755/4 sets with intention to replace the diesel Class 153, 156 and 170 fleets. Alongside the related electric multiple units of Class 745, the units will be maintained at Crown Point TMD. The plan was for the units to be assigned to Greater Anglia's more local and regional routes throughout in Norfolk and Suffolk, which include the Wherry Lines and the Bittern Line to Sheringham. The units would also be assigned to services on the Breckland Line and on the Ipswich–Ely line, as well as the Felixstowe and Sudburybranch lines. Compared to the diesel multiple unit they replace, the 755s have more seats, plug and USB sockets, faster Wi-Fi, air conditioning and improved passenger information systems. Given the trains have power-packs to contain the diesel generators, the floor is lower than usual, providing better accessibility to wheelchair and pushchair users.
Operation
The first unit was delivered to the UK in November 2018 which gave an initial entry into service date planned for May 2019. By May 2019, the trains had not been authorised to enter service yet and instead were given a service date for the end of June or beginning of July. Following this, the trains were authorised to enter service on 30 May 2019 by the ORR and the trains finally entered service on 29 July 2019. As more units have gradually entered service, it has allowed Greater Anglia to withdraw all of their diesel multiple units in favour of the 755s, with all of the units nearly in service having been delayed from the end of 2019. The delay in all units entering service has been caused by multiple faults on the units, which have earned the units the nickname of "Basils" after Basil Fawlty by staff at Crown Point TMD.
Technical details
The Class 755 has three or four passenger vehicles, along with a separate power pack vehicle containing two or four Deutz V8 16 litre diesel engines and generators. All vehicles are linked by Jacobs bogies, with the end bogies being motored. The unusual layout for a British train allows a lower than normal floor level, this allows step free boarding at standard height platforms. Pantographs are mounted on the intermediate cars.
Accidents and incidents
On 24 November 2019, a unit of the class was approaching a level crossing at Thorpe End, Norfolk at when the barriers lifted as the train was from the crossing and cars started crossing in front of the train. Despite emergency braking, the train was unable to stop before the crossing. A collision was avoided by a quarter of a second. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has opened an investigation into the incident. In response, Greater Anglia has imposed a speed restriction over six level crossings on the Bittern Line. The cause of the incident is thought to be contamination of the wheelsets interfering with detection by track circuits. As a result of the incident, flange lubricators were removed from the class.
