(31 Jul 2025, 9:32 pm)Storx wrote Must admit I've noticed this, with 3051 in particular, as it's been pulled pretty much daily
But is it better to have no service, at all, or attempt to get something running? I know which camp I'd be in. I've noticed 7625 was at Ashington today, bailing them out though. Not sure it's fair to blame Ashington when they've inherited a fleet of 10+ reject Pulsar's from other depots considering they had none in frontline service until recently. All down to lack of investment really, and is it really surprise it's starting to catch up now?
Arriva comes across as a shambles across the board dealing with Chiltern Trains last night after Wembley which could be best described as chaos. Whichever clown thought it was a good idea to have a queue which was 15 people wide, merging into 2 people wide with no form of control resulting into a scrum since if you didn't get through you were waiting for the next train, you really have to question. Topped up by numerous people struggling to get out the barriers at Marylebone while all 3 staff on were totally ignoring them and having a nice chat at the entry gateline where no-one was anywhere near...
Total contrast to TFL who had 2 people on the Underground gateline who were actually doing their job and from stuff online a very organised system at Wembley Park aswell.
It seems to be the standard for many companies nowadays, just a series of quick fixes to get things back out on the road ASAP. Much of Arriva’s fleet are really starting to show their age now, whilst some have been given a spruce up in appearance, you can't help but feel how tired much of the fleet is now.
I found much of the Chiltern fleet I saw at Marylebone yesterday looking rather shabby, including the Class 165 I got to Wembley Stadium, so pleased I didn't have to attempt to use the transport network there last night, didn't look too bad to me but I only saw from the outside looking in really which was mostly just stopping people from walking over the bridge at Wembley Stadium Station.