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

[720144]

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.

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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

If this does happen this time, it’ll be 720504.

 

[3973EXL]

720104/579

Realtime Trains | 5G33 0815 Ilford E.M.U.D. to Southend Victoria | 12/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5G33 0815 departure from Ilford E.M.U.D. to Southend Victoria on 12/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

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== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Mar 2025 ==

0D20 Leicester LIP - Derby Lit dep RT 57303 Arrived Lit Lane 0957

0925
5Q68 still showing "as required"
IE not called yet.

0936 - 5Q68 now "called" activated.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Mar 2025 ==

5Q68 57303 720534

 

[800001]

720534 to Willesden.

 

[720144]

0936 - 5Q68 now "called" activated.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Mar 2025 ==

5Q68 57303 720534

Very big surprise 534 is going down south in which we all thought it would be 504.

 

[3973EXL]

5Q68 dep 1250 - delay late running 1M60

Very big surprise 534 is going down south in which we all thought it would be 504.

I wouldn't say it was a surprise.
The only post I've seen just listed the last four in Numeric order not order of delivery.

According to one of my contacts, next units for delivery are expected to be 720141, 720143, 720516 (the former test bed which even reached Norwich), 720510 and 720503 in that order.

In numerical order, that will leave 720104 (the PMS of which is reportedly still numbered 451583 after a swap with problematical 720583 by road from Ilford to Derby/vv in early 2023), 720504, 720505 and 720534 (part of which went to Vienna for climate testing). Anticipated that 720505 will be the very last to be delivered.

 

[87electric]

Very big surprise 534 is going down south in which we all thought it would be 504.

I thought it would be 534. I win this time.

 

[Peter Sarf]

5Q68 dep 1250 - delay late running 1M60


I wouldn't say it was a surprise.
The only post I've seen just listed the last four in Numeric order not order of delivery.

Indeed 720505 might still be the last to be delivered even if it is almost at Willesden !. It might still go back to Derby LL from Wembley (Stonbridge Park) in any case still looks to not be near ready for service.

Delivery of 720534 5Q68 is currently on time.

 

[720144]

I wouldn't say it was a surprise.
The only post I've seen just listed the last four in Numeric order not order of delivery.

Many thanks. That leaves us with 504 to be the very last one leaving Derby.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Many thanks. That leaves us with 504 to be the very last one leaving Derby.

Well 720505 might be the last to "arrive". I reckon it could still end up back at Derby.

I did a flypast of Stonebridge Park and no sign of a 720. It (720505) could well be in one of the further roads of the shed as a 390(151 iirc) was in the through road of the shed. So far from what bits I have seen it may well still have no numbers on it.

Anyone else know where 720505 is ?.
(in case it has moved).

I saw 720534 arrive at Willesden. Coaches 1, 3, 4 & 5 had "534" on them but I overlooked the second coach .

 

[3973EXL]

Realtime Trains | 0D68 0947 Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 0D68 0947 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

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

Realtime Trains | 0F68 1817 Willesden T.M.D to Leicester L.I.P. | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 0F68 1817 departure from Willesden T.M.D to Leicester L.I.P. on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Peter Sarf]

Realtime Trains | 0D68 0947 Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 0D68 0947 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

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

Realtime Trains | 0F68 1817 Willesden T.M.D to Leicester L.I.P. | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 0F68 1817 departure from Willesden T.M.D to Leicester L.I.P. on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Here comes the last one then (ignoring 505). Tuesday.

 

[720144]

Realtime Trains | 0D68 0947 Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 0D68 0947 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Derby Litchurch Lane on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

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

Realtime Trains | 0F68 1817 Willesden T.M.D to Leicester L.I.P. | 18/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 0F68 1817 departure from Willesden T.M.D to Leicester L.I.P. on 18/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

720504 it is. happy days.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2025 ==

Well 720505 might be the last to "arrive". I reckon it could still end up back at Derby.

I’ve got a funny feeling that 505 will briefly go back to derby for completion. It’s just nowhere near as finished yet.

 

[wickham]

At 1000 today (Sunday 16.03.25) 720534 was outside at Willesden TMD at the "London end" of the siding next to the WCML with 730213 (possibly coupled up to it?) at the "Country end" of it. It is noted that 5Q27 0832 Willesden-Rugby mileage running is booked to run on Monday 17.03.25 and Thursday 20.03.25: Presumably on 17/03 this could be 720534, but at present 730213 is in front of it. The Thursday booking could possibly be for 720504 IF it arrives ??

 

[Peter Sarf]

At 1000 today (Sunday 16.03.25) 720534 was outside at Willesden TMD at the "London end" of the siding next to the WCML with 730213 (possibly coupled up to it?) at the "Country end" of it. It is noted that 5Q27 0832 Willesden-Rugby mileage running is booked to run on Monday 17.03.25 and Thursday 20.03.25: Presumably on 17/03 this could be 720534, but at present 730213 is in front of it. The Thursday booking could possibly be for 720504 IF it arrives ??

When 720534 was delivered on Friday 14/03/2025 it was deposited right next to the WCML Up Slow at the London end, I saw it there after the loco bringing it had left. From your description it is possible it has not moved !.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2025 ==

EDIT 14:35

Conjecture Alert :-

720503 is being displayed at Derby for Railway 200. Mentioned on the Alstom website 30 January.

Seeing as 720503 is delivered and now in service it might be less likely.

The unit to be displayed at the Greatest gathering has been announced as likely to be 720 506.

Not heard anymore about the above possibility.

Now I am wondering if 720505 will be the 720 displayed at the Railway 200 celebrations at Derby ?.
It is after all looking likely to be the last in service and possibly heading back to Derby next anyway.

 

[Geml246]

Unless it was a typo the organisers already posted this -
News from The Greatest Gathering!

We’re thrilled to announce our next exhibit as a Class 720 courtesy of @greaterangliauk will be on display at our three day event, subject to operational availability. This is expected to be 720506.

 

[wickham]

Ref post 3332: Anyone know why 720579 went with 720104 on the Ilford-Southend mileage runs on 12.03.25?
720579 has been in service since February 2022, did 104 need some "insurance" for some reason??

 

[720144]

Thursday 20.03.25: Presumably on 17/03 this could be 720534, but at present 730213 is in front of it. The Thursday booking could possibly be for 720504 IF it arrives ??

As of now, 504 is the only 720 left at Derby.

720104 should be the next one to enter service.

 

[87electric]

Conjecture Alert
Not heard anymore about the above possibility.

Now I am wondering if 720505 will be the 720 displayed at the Railway 200 celebrations at Derby ?.
It is after all looking likely to be the last in service and possibly heading back to Derby next anyway.

As stated on the current Alstom website, 506 is now the candidate.

 

[720144]

As stated on the current Alstom website, 506 is now the candidate.

Is that 720503 is in the picture on the website listed to where it says 506 will be the candidate ?

 

[wickham]

Monday 17.03.25: RTT shows 5Q27 0832 Willesden TMD to Rugby mileage runs cancelled and replaced by 5Q29 1005 Willesden TMD to Rugby, which left at 1126 !
Anyone know if this was 720534 or 730213 ? The late start might indicate that the intended unit was not ready.

 

[3973EXL]

Monday 17.03.25: RTT shows 5Q27 0832 Willesden TMD to Rugby mileage runs cancelled and replaced by 5Q29 1005 Willesden TMD to Rugby, which left at 1126 !
Anyone know if this was 720534 or 730213 ? The late start might indicate that the intended unit was not ready.

720 runs are operated by GBRf
730 by ROG

Following GBRF operated

Realtime Trains | 5Q29 1005 Willesden T.M.D to Rugby | 17/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q29 1005 departure from Willesden T.M.D to Rugby on 17/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q28 1353 Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot | 17/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q28 1353 departure from Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot on 17/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[87electric]

Is that 720503 is in the picture on the website listed to where it says 506 will be the candidate ?

I have no idea of the actual number of the unit in the photo. I don't think it matters and is probably just a stock photo.

 

[60159]

720 runs are operated by GBRf
730 by ROG

Following GBRF operated

Realtime Trains | 5Q29 1005 Willesden T.M.D to Rugby | 17/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q29 1005 departure from Willesden T.M.D to Rugby on 17/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q28 1353 Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot | 17/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q28 1353 departure from Rugby Signal Rn4179 to Wembley Inter City Depot on 17/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Why is one pathed as an 80 on electric at 125 and the other as a 350 at 100 (not 110)? It does say “changes on route”.
Could this be 807005? Who operates them on mileage accumulation?
If so why from Willesden and not Wembley?
Why does the later train have the lower number (28)?
Sorry, lots of questions.

 

[800001]

Why is one pathed as an 80 on electric at 125 and the other as a 350 at 100 (not 110)? It does say “changes on route”.
Could this be 807005? Who operates them on mileage accumulation?
If so why from Willesden and not Wembley?
Why does the later train have the lower number (28)?
Sorry, lots of questions.

It will not be 807005, and don’t read too much into what they are pathed at.

 

[3973EXL]

0D68 0947 Leicester - Derby Lit
57310

 

[800001]

0D68 0947 Leicester - Derby Lit
57310

720504 is making the move, the last of the 720s to leave Derby,

 

[60159]

It will not be 807005, and don’t read too much into what they are pathed at.

Thanks.

 

[kennythelad]

720534 is out this morning on the WCML, doing the usual mileage accumulation runs

 

[1D54]

720504 is making the move, the last of the 720s to leave Derby,

Departed Derby at 12:53.

 

[wickham]

There is a 5Q22 Wembley to Ilford booked to run today - possibly 720534 ending up at Ilford after its WCML mileage runs ??

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

There is a 5Q22 Wembley to Ilford booked to run today - possibly 720534 ending up at Ilford after its WCML mileage runs ??

5Q27 Wembley to Rugby (mileage) ran todayu with 720534, then formed 5Q31 Rugby to Wembley and 5Q22 Wembley to Ilford: So it has gone to Ilford today (18/03):
Makes space for the next one !