-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Greater Anglia Bombardier Aventras (Class 720): Technical discussion and introduction
- Thread starter absolutelymilk
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
D365
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 29 Jun 2012
- Messages
- 12,258
I take it that the Facebook post quoted above is a misunderstanding as I’m not aware that Greater Anglia owns any of their new fleet.
The quotes come from the Greater Anglia Acceptance Engineer.
He, in all his posts regarding accepting new units has referred to them as ‘purchased by GA’.
Tuesday 4th March: 720104 was visible at Willesden TMD at about 1050 today with the shed doors open. Along at Wembley wheel lathe shed - 720120 was present being hauled through the lathe by 08611 - I was getting excited as I thought it might be 505, but not so. However, when looking back towards Wembley Central from a passing train, "something" light coloured could just be made out inside the building through the open doors on the siding furthest from the main line. The sight was only a glimpse for a second but I suspect what it was ! The view was not possible from Stonebridge Park station due to a Bakerloo line train standing on the LT Depot access line, but it just might be possible from the access roadway alongside as long as there is no Bakerloo line train standing in the way (which unfortuneatly seems to be most of the time).
Over at LIverpool Street, there were TWO lots of 720s in use on Stanstead Express services: 720503+720518 and 720116+720133: Also, interestingly there were TWO Norwich Express 745/0s on Stanstead Express, so what has happened to all the 745/1s !!
.
Regarding my comment yesterday regarding the photos of 505 and my suggestion about the seats, it is now clear from enlarging the photos that the seats ARE complete and NOT just frames, also my suggestion that some underfloor equipment seemed to be missing is also wide of the mark, as examining 720s in service today proves that the two driving cars are completely differently equipped with one having far less equipent that the other.
Over at LIverpool Street, there were TWO lots of 720s in use on Stanstead Express services: 720503+720518 and 720116+720133: Also, interestingly there were TWO Norwich Express 745/0s on Stanstead Express, so what has happened to all the 745/1s !!
.
Regarding my comment yesterday regarding the photos of 505 and my suggestion about the seats, it is now clear from enlarging the photos that the seats ARE complete and NOT just frames, also my suggestion that some underfloor equipment seemed to be missing is also wide of the mark, as examining 720s in service today proves that the two driving cars are completely differently equipped with one having far less equipent that the other.
Also 720141+589 will be on the 21:25 to Stansted Airport.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
I had a protracted walk around on Monday evening.
The LU trains do not hang around in the way for long. I think the entrance to Stonebridge Park LU depot is used as a reversing siding for Bakerloo Line trains that have terminated at Stonebridge Park station.
I walked up the driveway from the station, under the LU lines and up to the Alstom shed on the East side of the DC lines. Within that shed there seems to be one through road nearest the DC lines. On the furthest side there are two dead end roads within the shed probably about five cars long. When I was there the class 08 was lurking just inside there. I have seen in the past a 390 sticking out of both ends of the shed with an 08 on it - possibly being fed over the wheel lathe ?.
I did see a 720 (or at least 60% of one coach) sticking out the Wembley end of the shed on Monday.
Class455
Established Member
- Joined
- 19 May 2016
- Messages
- 1,454
Just saw a Class 720 pass me at Bushey whilst working this. Any idea which one was on it?
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 5Q28 1353 Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot | 07/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 5Q28 1353 departure from Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Should be 720104...Just saw a Class 720 pass me at Bushey whilst working this. Any idea which one was on it?
Realtime Trains | 5Q28 1353 Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot | 07/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 5Q28 1353 departure from Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
720104 as of now, all of the recent 720s have now entered service.Just saw a Class 720 pass me at Bushey whilst working this. Any idea which one was on it?
Realtime Trains | 5Q28 1353 Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot | 07/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 5Q28 1353 departure from Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
720505 at wembley isn’t going to likely be ready for a while.
3973EXL
Established Member
- Joined
- 2 Feb 2017
- Messages
- 2,741
11/03
5Q64 1243 Derby Lit - Willesden TMD
"As required"
5Q64 1243 Derby Lit - Willesden TMD
"As required"
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Thanks for the alert, I was not expecting another delivery so soon after the last delivery.
I assume its actually 5Q68
Realtime Trains | Departures from Derby Litchurch Lane all day on 11/03/2025
Train information at Derby Litchurch Lane all day on 11/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Fed by the light loco on 0D20 from Leicester
Realtime Trains | 0D20 0926 Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane | 11/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 0D20 0926 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane on 11/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
3973EXL
Established Member
- Joined
- 2 Feb 2017
- Messages
- 2,741
Yep, poor memory at that time of day.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
On the face of it a 50% chance it is 720504 delivered to Willesden on 11/03/2025. Only alternative is 720534.
Looking like 720505 could be the last in service.
So near yet so far !.
This will definitely be 720504 next week & then finally 720534.
Last edited:
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Not forgetting 720505 - or is commissioning of that imminent (fingers crossed)
43096
On Moderation
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2015
- Messages
- 16,933
“Successful” is relative. Delivery the final sets five years late does not constitute success.
Class15
Established Member
And almost two years since the bitter end of their predecessors (April 2023)
Russel
Established Member
"Successful" and "Delivery", are two words that I don't think we'll ever see in the same sentence again, while discussing new train deliveries.
43096
On Moderation
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2015
- Messages
- 16,933
It depends which trains you are talking about!
Siemens routinely hits contracted delivery dates for its European Vectron locos (indeed, sometimes delivers early) - but that is the benefit of a standardised design, produced on a production line over many years.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Looks like the delivery of a 720(504) to Willesden is is not happening.Thanks for the alert, I was not expecting another delivery so soon after the last delivery.
I assume its actually 5Q68
Realtime Trains | Departures from Derby Litchurch Lane all day on 11/03/2025
Train information at Derby Litchurch Lane all day on 11/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
Fed by the light loco on 0D20 from Leicester
Realtime Trains | 0D20 0926 Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane | 11/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 0D20 0926 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane on 11/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
Furthermore a delivery of a 730/2 from Gascoigne Wood arriving the same time at Willesden TMD has
Realtime Trains | 5Q72 1030 Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Willesden T.M.D | 11/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 5Q72 1030 departure from Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Willesden T.M.D on 11/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Last edited:
I'm sorry if this has been mentioned but I've had a look through and can't see an answer; When all trains are accepted will every service in the peaks from Liverpool Street and Stratford be 10-car?
Some are still 5-car and at times have been absolutely packed for me. It's worse when West Ham or Tottenham are playing an evening game or an event at Stratford (and one of those three happens a fair amount!)
Some are still 5-car and at times have been absolutely packed for me. It's worse when West Ham or Tottenham are playing an evening game or an event at Stratford (and one of those three happens a fair amount!)
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
They need more 10 car off peak as well... I was out on Thursday last week at the 15.13 Liverpool Street - Southend Victoria was only 5 cars ( 720 533 ) and was full and standing off Stratford... and that wasn't people avoiding the 2 + 3 seating either; it was genuinely packed.
That's a weekday, midweek, off peak - not a peak service by any definition.
Was a fair bit of that demand for the Romford stop?
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
No, only about two dozen - including myself - got off at Romford.
Yep more off-peak could certainly do with 10-car trains.
Greater Anglia appear to have bounced back very well from covid. They also serve many growing towns as well as Stansted which just had its busiest ever month. Stratford and Tottenham are massive growth areas as are quite a few market towns they serve and I've seen large developments near some relatively sleepy stations like Elsenham. I think I recall some saying they ordered too many 720s after covid hit. Not sure that stacks up anymore.
Yes 505 will definitely be the last one to enter service.
3973EXL
Established Member
- Joined
- 2 Feb 2017
- Messages
- 2,741
14/03 Runs as required "Q" paths
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 0D20 0926 Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane | 14/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 0D20 0926 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane on 14/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1243 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 14/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1243 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 14/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Thanks for finding. Fingers crossed. Certainly getting imminent.14/03 Runs as required "Q" paths
Realtime Trains | 0D20 0926 Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane | 14/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 0D20 0926 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane on 14/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1243 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 14/03/2025
Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1243 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 14/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.