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

[Domk]

Just saw a 720 pull in with the door open indicator on the middle carriage flashing as it pulled up. What does this mean?

 

[357]

Just saw a 720 pull in with the door open indicator on the middle carriage flashing as it pulled up. What does this mean?

Passenger emergency alarm activated in that coach

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I've seen a few 10 car empty workings where one unit has the indicator lights on ( all five carriages ) but the other hasn't; I am guessing those are units that have suffered door or interlock failures being removed to the depot...?

 

[317 forever]

The lease is due to expire on the 31 May 2022 all remaining 321‘s and 322’s operated by GA. So they better get there finger out and get more 720’s in service

If this deadline is still in place, the last 317s could be in service briefly after the last 321s and 322s have been withdrawn.

 

[St. Paddy]

Have any more come south from Derby recently

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Hello, I wondered if anyone had read the recent Modern Railways (June) and was able to give information on the recent accepted into service 720s please? They usually give an update with each edition.

I have these down as not in service yet:
501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 512, 513, 514, 516, 518, 519, 520, 523, 526, 528, 533, 534, 541, 544, 555, 582, 583

Plus all /1 units with the exception of 105.

 

[JonathanH]

I think the only extra one for your list is 528 in service this week (Sunday) following 524 at the start of May.

 

[hexagon789]

Hello, I wondered if anyone had read the recent Modern Railways (May) and was able to give information on the recent accepted into service 720s please? They usually give an update with each edition.

I have these down as not in service yet:
501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 512, 513, 514, 516, 518, 519, 520, 523, 526, 528, 533, 534, 541, 544, 555, 582, 583

Plus all /1 units with the exception of 105.

The June issue (out today) simply says 63 of 133 units in traffic, including the first of the /1s - 720105, as you have. No other unit numbers listed I'm afraid.

 

[JonathanH]

720526 reported elsewhere to be the next one added to the 'in service list' this morning.

 

[mtmikethom]

555 was at Shenfield earlier with the test barriers in the doorways.

 

[The_Train]

720526 reported elsewhere to be the next one added to the 'in service list' this morning.

Did this happen, does anyone know?

 

[JonathanH]

Did this happen, does anyone know?

Yes, reported on 'ukmodernemu' to have worked this afternoon as well.

 

[The_Train]

Yes, reported on 'ukmodernemu' to have worked this afternoon as well.

Thank you

 

[59CosG95]

Have any more come south from Derby recently

Yes, 720514 came down to Wembley (and thence Ilford, presumably) on the 28th of May.

 

[JonathanH]

720523 and 720555 are reported on the 'ukmodernemu' group to have entered service.

 

[St. Paddy]

Yes, 720514 came down to Wembley (and thence Ilford, presumably) on the 28th of May.

Thanks

 

[The_Train]

720523 and 720555 are reported on the 'ukmodernemu' group to have entered service.

Photo evidence backs that up for 523 but last photo I can find of 555 was a test run between Wembley-Rugby on 01/06/22

 

[VicH]

At Shenfield last Friday on test with 523

 

[Jturner98]

Looks like the 09:10 Liverpool Street - Stansted Airport is going to be a 720. Usually I thought a pair of 317s would stand in. Interesting to see how cramped it is

 

[Kite159]

Looks like the 09:10 Liverpool Street - Stansted Airport is going to be a 720. Usually I thought a pair of 317s would stand in. Interesting to see how cramped it is

And how badly it copes with airport luggage

 

[Bikeman78]

And how badly it copes with airport luggage

They've started using a pair on Stansted Express now. 745104 has had a row with a buffer stop so they could be short for a while.

 

[Bletchleyite]

To be fair the overheads are if I recall a decent size, and airline cabin bags fit there well enough.

 

[306024]

They've started using a pair on Stansted Express now. 745104 has had a row with a buffer stop so they could be short for a while.

Shouldn’t be short, there are four fewer diagrams than there should be as the airport service is only half hourly.

 

[Bikeman78]

Shouldn’t be short, there are four fewer diagrams than there should be as the airport service is only half hourly.

You would think so but substitutions aren't that rare. There was a pair of 317s on the 24th and I think we are now on day four of a pair of 720s on there.

 

[306024]

You would think so but substitutions aren't that rare. There was a pair of 317s on the 24th and I think we are now on day four of a pair of 720s on there.

Indeed, shows how foolish it was to think the service could be run by units maintained 115 miles off route. Good job the service is only half hourly. And while 720s get used here, they aren’t on the GEML or elsewhere on WA where some 5 car trains should be 10 cars.

 

[robert west]

Photo evidence backs that up for 523 but last photo I can find of 555 was a test run between Wembley-Rugby on 01/06/22

720555 was on 5v39 2052 ipswich to ilford depot tonight with 1 other

 

[Railperf]

720s 523 and 536 on Stansted services today. I am informed that two 745s are out of service. 104 as described elewhere and another unit with electrical issues. Could it be 001 parked up at Orient Way?

 

[rcsn319]

Could it be 001 parked up at Orient Way?

There’s also 1 or 2 parked up in wembley yard.

And how badly it copes with airport luggage

Currently on 523+536 back from STN and the luggage situation isn’t great.

 

[jopsuk]

cycling over the Carter bridge at Cambridge this evening there was a 720 parked next to coupled pair of 317s. Really brought home how much longer the coaches are, demonstrated that they really are effectively "six cars" long compared to the old stock

 

[Bikeman78]

There’s also 1 or 2 parked up in wembley yard.

Currently on 523+536 back from STN and the luggage situation isn’t great.

On the 317s people tend to pile up the luggage but at least it's in the same seating bay. I've no idea where passengers sitting on airline seats on a 720 put their luggage.