Greater Anglia Bombardier Aventras (Class 720): Technical discussion and introduction

[The_Train]

Departed Derby at 12:53.

Has it gone to Wembley or Willesden?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Has it gone to Wembley or Willesden?

5Q68 is heading to Willesden.

57 310 showing as being the traction. Unit doesn't show but obviously will be 720 504 as stated earlier.

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1245 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1245 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[The_Train]

5Q68 is heading to Willesden.

57 310 showing as being the traction. Unit doesn't show but obviously will be 720 504 as stated earlier.

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1245 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1245 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thanks Peter

 

[wickham]

For those interested, there is a photo of 720505 inside the Alstom Depot at Wembley 15.05.25: This proves which track it is standing on but at the time the shed door in front of it is closed. Photo linked here:

08611 & 720505 Wembley Alstom Depot 15.03.2025

Explore Cowboy on Rail's 13474 photos on Flickr!

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== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Mar 2025 ==

Appologies, I typed the wrong date - it should be 15.03.25:

Of note the unit still has no numbers.

 

[720144]

5Q68 is heading to Willesden.

57 310 showing as being the traction. Unit doesn't show but obviously will be 720 504 as stated earlier.

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1245 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1245 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Ah brilliant. That now finally leaves us with 720505 to get commissioned & on the way soon.

 

[alm37]

Reported elsewhere that 720505 moved from Wembley to Ilford this morning as 5Q30.

 

[wickham]

This is VERY interesting: 5Q30 0848 Wembley to Ilford did indeed run per RTT. I walked right up to the gate into Alstom "Stonebridge Park Repair Shops" (official name on the sign at the end of the road) at about 1130 today (20/03) and indeed the road that 720505 WAS on, was emply and the 08 was outside. 505 has not done any WCML mileage runs so perhaps the story some day ago that Ilford were to finish it off might be correct.

 

[BigB]

Can anyone please advise which 720 is currently doing mileage runs to Southend?
Thanks

 

[Peter Sarf]

Reported elsewhere that 720505 moved from Wembley to Ilford this morning as 5Q30.

Dang, That was my theory which I really had no faith in.

Any idea if it has gained numbers ?.

This is VERY interesting: 5Q30 0848 Wembley to Ilford did indeed run per RTT. I walked right up to the gate into Alstom "Stonebridge Park Repair Shops" (official name on the sign at the end of the road) at about 1130 today (20/03) and indeed the road that 720505 WAS on, was emply and the 08 was outside. 505 has not done any WCML mileage runs so perhaps the story some day ago that Ilford were to finish it off might be correct.

It is interesting. I wonder how long it will stay at Ilford.

One to watch.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Can anyone please advise which 720 is currently doing mileage runs to Southend?
Thanks

Should be 720 104 - based on reports from earlier this week.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Reported elsewhere that 720505 moved from Wembley to Ilford this morning as 5Q30.

Further to that I notice 720505 was pathed as Electric Multiple Unit. Does that mean it is a completed unit ?.

Realtime Trains | 5Q30 0848 Wembley Inter City Depot to Ilford E.M.U.D. | 20/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q30 0848 departure from Wembley Inter City Depot to Ilford E.M.U.D. on 20/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[BigB]

Should be 720 104 - based on reports from earlier this week.

Thanks, I'll check it out if I get a chance today

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

There was also a 5Q31 to Willesden yesterday afternoon, pathed as a 720

Realtime Trains | 5Q31 1528 Ilford E.M.U.D. to Willesden T.M.D | 20/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q31 1528 departure from Ilford E.M.U.D. to Willesden T.M.D on 20/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[720144]

Can anyone please advise which 720 is currently doing mileage runs to Southend?
Thanks

Either 104 or 534.

Reported elsewhere that 720505 moved from Wembley to Ilford this morning as 5Q30.

What a surprise. Not even anywhere near finished or numbered, & it was delivered to Ilford. Therefore only 504 to be the last ever one into Ilford.

 

[AC47461]

534 was at Southend Vic yesterday evening around 6pm.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Someone's just posted this on se-gen implying that 720 534 is still at Willesden... or has it gone back overnight?

Note - it's an e-mail group so I can't provide a link, can only copy and paste the quote.

Found it...

It's inside Willesden TMD on road 1

Currently with front nose enclosure open at the north end

Seen when passing at 09.45

 

[Bobcp]

Someone's just posted this on se-gen implying that 720 534 is still at Willesden... or has it gone back overnight?

Note - it's an e-mail group so I can't provide a link, can only copy and paste the quote.

Or getting it confused with 720 504.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Or getting it confused with 720 504.

That's possible. I've just replied asking for clarification.

 

[720144]

Someone's just posted this on se-gen implying that 720 534 is still at Willesden... or has it gone back overnight?

Note - it's an e-mail group so I can't provide a link, can only copy and paste the quote.

Should only be 720504 at Willesden now.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Should only be 720504 at Willesden now.

Someone just replied on se-gen saying they took a photograph of 720 505 at Willesden this morning...

...and they saw 504 at around 08.50 running through Harrow and Wealdstone, so it looks like there's two on that side at the moment?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Someone just replied on se-gen saying they took a photograph of 720 505 at Willesden this morning...

...and they saw 504 at around 08.50 running through Harrow and Wealdstone, so it looks like there's two on that side at the moment?

Thats interesting. Makes more sense 720505 not yet getting to Ilford yet (maybe).
But I wonder what was on 5Q30 yesterday then or did 5Q31 bring it back !.
Something does not add up (do I go to Ilford or Willesden I ask myself).

Afterthought question.
Does 720505 photographed at Willesden have numbers on it or is there an assumption being made ?.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Does 720505 photographed at Willesden have numbers on it or is there an assumption being made ?.

That wasn't reported, but as it was seen at around the same time as 720 504 was out on the main line it can't really be anything else - can it...?

 

[720144]

But I wonder what was on 5Q30 yesterday then or did 5Q31 bring it back !.
Something does not add up (do I go to Ilford or Willesden I ask myself).

If I’m right, last week 720120 went to Wembley for Wheel Lathe, so that probably worked 5Q30.

 

[Peter Sarf]

That wasn't reported, but as it was seen at around the same time as 720 504 was out on the main line it can't really be anything else - can it...?

Thanks.

If I’m right, last week 720120 went to Wembley for Wheel Lathe, so that probably worked 5Q30.

Thanks. Perhaps 720120 sneaked inside under my radar (quite possible) !.

EDIT

I suppose I should wonder what 5Q31 might have brought into the equation ?.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2025 ==


EDIT (16:08) :-

2025.03.21
Willesden (15:55)
720505 in shed road nearest WCML.
Can see all five cars from platform 5.
Has proper/standard "505" on the front, possibly too long to close doors. London end also sticking out I think.
Using my Mk1 eyeballs.

730230 also there outside near WCML. Possibly blocking view of 505 from passing WCML !.

No sign of other 720s there.

Thanks to previous posters.

 

[wickham]

Very interesting development above ! Of note there is a 5Q29 1900 Willesden TMD to Wembley IC Depot tonight, I wonder what this might be (505 again ??).
5Q27 0845 Wembley IC to Rugby and 5Q28 1353 Rugby to Wembley IC (mileage runs) HAVE run today with 720504. I suspect 505 went from Wembley to Ilford yesterday morning and returned to Willesden TMD later, but why ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2025 ==

As of 1950, the 5Q29 1900 Willesden TMD to Wembley has not run, but on reflection perhaps this was intended for 730230 and not 720505 ??
Further to post 3383 above, the mention of 720120 visiting Wembley wheel lathe "last week" - it was there on 4th March (saw it myself): Anglia units visiting the lathe do not hang around and usually go back home within 48 hours, so this would rule it out for 5Q30 yesterday (20th March).

 

[Covshire1]

Very interesting development above ! Of note there is a 5Q29 1900 Willesden TMD to Wembley IC Depot tonight, I wonder what this might be (505 again ??).
5Q27 0845 Wembley IC to Rugby and 5Q28 1353 Rugby to Wembley IC (mileage runs) HAVE run today with 720504. I suspect 505 went from Wembley to Ilford yesterday morning and returned to Willesden TMD later, but why ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2025 ==

As of 1950, the 5Q29 1900 Willesden TMD to Wembley has not run, but on reflection perhaps this was intended for 730230 and not 720505 ??
Further to post 3383 above, the mention of 720120 visiting Wembley wheel lathe "last week" - it was there on 4th March (saw it myself): Anglia units visiting the lathe do not hang around and usually go back home within 48 hours, so this would rule it out for 5Q30 yesterday (20th March).

5Q29 departed 3 mins after you posted...

 

[Peter Sarf]

5Q29 departed 3 mins after you posted...

If 720505 has gone back to Wembley then I wonder what Willesden could do that needed a visit there. But it could be 730230 as it was at the country end of its siding.

Incidentally there were orange vested staff giving 720505 attention at Willesden.

 

[Bobcp]

If 720505 has gone back to Wembley then I wonder what Willesden could do that needed a visit there. But it could be 730230 as it was at the country end of its siding.

Incidentally there were orange vested staff giving 720505 attention at Willesden.

If it was 730230 then I would have thought it would have been ROG operated and not GB Railfreight ?

Additionally I note the following showing for tomorrow 22nd. March.
5Q20 - 08.45 Wembley ICD - 10.43 Rugby (VSTP)
5Q21 - 11.20 Rugby - 13.16 Wembley ICD (VSTP)
5Q22 - 15.01 Wembley ICD - 16.36 Ilford EMUD (STP)

 

[Peter Sarf]

If it was 730230 then I would have thought it would have been ROG operated and not GB Railfreight ?

Additionally I note the following showing for tomorrow 22nd. March.
5Q20 - 08.45 Wembley ICD - 10.43 Rugby (VSTP)
5Q21 - 11.20 Rugby - 13.16 Wembley ICD (VSTP)
5Q22 - 15.01 Wembley ICD - 16.36 Ilford EMUD (STP)

On the face of it a test outing for 720505 up the WCML, followed by a path to Ilford - if it passes the tests.

But istr 720504 was out on test today so maybe it is just that continuing.

Lets face it the progress of getting the last of the 720s commissioned and into service has gone quicker than we perhaps expected.

 

[wickham]

5Q20 confirmed as running on RTT: I suspect that this might actually be 720504 as that finished yesterdays runs at Wembley. Hope someone sees it and confirms which unit involved !