The first of 111 Class 720 Aventra electric multiple units was unveiled at Bombardier’s Derby Litchurch Lane facility on September 13.
Three vehicles from sets 720501 and 720502 were displayed, as testing of the vehicles begins on site.
Testing on the main line begins next spring, ahead of their introduction next autumn. They will be used on suburban services from London Liverpool Street, as well as running to Southend, Clacton, Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge and King’s Lynn.
The five-car trains (720501-720589) will have 495 Standard Class seats, including 57 tip-up seats and four wheelchair tip-up seats. The ‘720/5s’ will have one universal access toilet and one standard toilet.
On the ten-car sets (720101-720122) there will be 1,046 Standard Class seatsm including 107 tip-up seats and six wheelchair tip-up seats. There will be one universal access toilet and two standard toilets.
Bombardier told RAIL that 18 vehicles are in various stages of construction, with vehicles from 720501-720503 in various stages of testing.
Alan Fravolini, Bombardier portfolio director for Aventra projects, said: “The first set begins testing in the autumn, and the end of the programme is summer 2020.”
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For the FULL story on Greater Anglia's new trains, read RAIL 862, published on September 26, and available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle on September 22.
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AndrewJG8918 - 15/09/2018 11:55
I actually like the Class 720 Aventra. Looking forward to seeing them and to ride on them next year. Can’t wait.
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AndrewJG8918 - 16/09/2018 20:57
Shame that some of the newish electric units used on Greater Anglia such as Class 360 Desiro and Class 379 Electrostar may not be as lucky to be transferred to other operators. But I think that Heathrow Express should inherit the Class 379 Electrostar instead of modifying the GWR Class 387. Plus inherit the 6 Class 387/3 hired on c2c to be used on GWR or cascade the Class 379 to West Midlands Trains or Transport for Wales. And Ex GA Class 360 & Heathrow Connect/HX/TfL Rail Class 360/2 Desiros to be cascaded to Northern, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales or ScotRail. Or cascade the Class 360s to West Midlands Trains.
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