rdlover777
Member
Do we know how long the 720 will be at the test track until its shipped down to GA for tests?
Source: TwitterThe first @greateranglia '720/5' at Old Dalby has reached 110mph in testing. However, the TOC states the @BombardierR_UK units are: "expected to come into service at the end of this year." That's a delay. The franchise agreement states acceptance between 30/1/19 and 4/3/20.
"...will provide joys for between eight and 12 maintenance engineers."https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/new-depot-for-new-trains-at-harwich-1-6144951
Rail depot gets green signal as new trains are on their way to the east
I'm going to take a guess at the Cambridge lineUnsure where they'll start to appear first, my money is Southend
Makes sense given the GEML focus on Stadler training initially.I'm going to take a guess at the Cambridge line
Bombardier have recently taken on an extra 300 staff for final assembly work on the Aventras.
I understand driver training will start at Ilford depot first before spreading out. So could be on any diagrams from there.Makes sense given the GEML focus on Stadler training initially.
It already is. Class 321 cover the service today.so, since these will be covering to the route to Harwich Town via Harwich International, i assume the line will be completely electrified?
It already is. Class 321 cover the service today.
Same answer though. 321 today, 720 tomorrow!i discovered that, thats why i edited my post
I understand driver training will start at Ilford depot first before spreading out. So could be on any diagrams from there.
I'm going to take a guess at the Cambridge line
Unsure where they'll start to appear first, my money is Southend
Would the lack of any platform extension work not affect the latter?Around a year ago GA announced that the first 720/5 units will enter service on East side duties (Understood to mean the Southend Vic line) in March 2019 and the 720/1s would enter service the following month on Cambridge diagrams. Obviously there are a few "subtle" changes to that plan bit does show that GA are keen to get some in service asap over there as well as on the GEML.
Looks like the 720s could be 12 months late .. cue March 2020.Around a year ago GA announced that the first 720/5 units will enter service on East side duties (Understood to mean the Southend Vic line) in March 2019 and the 720/1s would enter service the following month on Cambridge diagrams. Obviously there are a few "subtle" changes to that plan bit does show that GA are keen to get some in service asap over there as well as on the GEML.
I think it'll be ASDO everywhere but there's still plenty of infrastructure works to be done such as at HFE and moving signals at other locations.Would the lack of any platform extension work not affect the latter?
I don't know the infrastructure up that side, but I assume they were going to operate the West Side 12 car workings, so lengths would not be an issue.Would the lack of any platform extension work not affect the latter?
I'd hazard a guess that the Bishop's Stortford - Stratford services would be the first WA services to be 720 operated, as they seem the most "self contained", and they are the first services to be chopped in the event of disruption/failure.
Not possible as fast Cambridge services interwork with stopping services with only 8 car platforms. They'll figure it out.Unlikely. More likely to be the fast Cambridge services as they are 12 car already. Stratford Platforms 11 and 12 are also not 12 carriage length.
I think we can be pretty certain they are going to be using ASDO from day1.Not possible as fast Cambridge services interwork with stopping services with only 8 car platforms. They'll figure it out.
Like I said, I think there's only 2 in each peak that are 12 car Cambridges., during the day they're 4/8 car 317 mostly. I'd put money on 5 car 720's operating on the Stratford-Bishop's Stortford route first on the WAML. In much the same way as 317 722 was when that was knocking about. Trundled up and down on that all day, and if it failed (which new trains are likely to do to begin with), then hey ho never mind, chuck it in the back at Harlow/Broxbourne, or in the yard at Stortford.Unlikely. More likely to be the fast Cambridge services as they are 12 car already. Stratford Platforms 11 and 12 are also not 12 carriage length.
I think we can be pretty certain they are going to be using ASDO from day1.