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

[Astro_Orbiter]

I'm pretty sure it was last year that Rail Magazine said the last 20 x 720s would have a different internal layout with extra provision for luggage.
However, I say that with caution given the number of changes we've seen since the original plan.

That was what I'd heard too, but the latest rumour mill is that it would be too costly to modify the 745/1 with buffets and all that so they're staying as intended on stansteds

 

[Milo T.K]

47727 is (as we speak) bringing in 720527 to Oxley for testing. 5Q12 headcode. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:08015/2022-02-09/detailed#allox_id=0

720586 and 720579 are at Oxley as well at the moment for testing.

Funny enough 579 is in front of me right now. When is this consist estimated to enter service?

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Funny enough 579 is in front of me right now. When is this consist estimated to enter service?

Not sure sorry.

 

[APT618S]

Meanwhile, for the number crunchers…
501-510, 512-514, 516, 518-520, 523-530, 532-534, 541, 544, 555, 572, 579, 582-589 are what I have down as not entered service yet from this first batch of 720s. If anyone knows of some listed here that have been accepted into service and are now operating passenger workings, putting so in the chat would be greatly appreciated.

720532 is currently working 2F71 1735 Colchester Town to Liverpool St (with 578).

 

[theblackwatch]

720532 is currently working 2F71 1735 Colchester Town to Liverpool St (with 578).

Into service on the 14th.

 

[robert west]

720532 is currently working 2F71 1735 Colchester Town to Liverpool St (with 578).

was on 1202 Liverpool street to Ipswich earlier

 

[Railperf]

Do we have any indication on just how many units are entering service each week?

IIRC the plan was to introduce 2 units per week ..but i'm hearing that it is not the case.

 

[dk1]

Do we have any indication on just how many units are entering service each week?

IIRC the plan was to introduce 2 units per week ..but i'm hearing that it is not the case.

It’s rather a shame as we have stopped getting any internal NEAT updates. During the initial 720 introduction & throughout the Stadler 745/755 programme we where getting an almost monthly online newsletter updating us on exactly where we where & what units where in traffic. The novelty seems to have worn off now.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

720 584 is now 100% definitely in service; I'm sitting on it with the 11.00 Liverpool Street to Ipswich. It's the country end unit and is paired with 720 574.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

720 584 is now 100% definitely in service; I'm sitting on it with the 11.00 Liverpool Street to Ipswich. It's the country end unit and is paired with 720 574.

Wonderful, thanks.

Anyone got updates on any of these entering service?

501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509,
510, 512, 513, 514, 516, 518, 519,
520, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529,
530, 533, 534,
541, 544,
555,
56x are all in service
572, 579,
582, 583, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589

 

[Shwam3]

Wonderful, thanks.

Anyone got updates on any of these entering service?

501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509,
510, 512, 513, 514, 516, 518, 519,
520, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529,
530, 533, 534,
541, 544,
555,
56x are all in service
572, 579,
582, 583, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589

All correct bar 720530, entered service on 04/02/2022. 51 in service in total currently according to an internal list.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Many thanks

 

[Railperf]

All correct bar 720530, entered service on 04/02/2022. 51 in service in total currently according to an internal list.

How many diagrammed today?

 

[JonathanH]

720572 in service this morning, had it on its first trip working 0647 Liverpool Street to Braintree.

720579 and 720586 also reported elsewhere doing first day working on the West Anglia side.

 

[theblackwatch]

720572 in service this morning, had it on its first trip working 0647 Liverpool Street to Braintree.

720579 and 720586 also reported elsewhere doing first day working on the West Anglia side.

Can confirm 579 and 586 both in service (and had for haulage, along with 572, but cannot claim to have been on any first trips!).

 

[Spirit555]

720525 in service. Pic taken by a friend on Friday.

Mark

 

[Kite159]

720525 in service. Pic taken by a friend on Friday.

Mark

Was on Southend services this morning (attached to 551)

Although I noticed there was a fault with the loading screen as it suggested all 5 coaches were "Full", whereas when it departed Shenfield it was lightly loaded. Similar to 517 on a Harwich service, the screen suggested all 5 coaches were Full, but again it was lightly loaded (at least in coach 3 after Colchester)

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Here’s another update then, and it looks like we’re waiting on these now:

501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509,
510, 512, 513, 514, 516, 518, 519,
520, 523, 524, 526, 527, 528, 529,
533, 534,
541, 544,
555,
582, 583, 585, 587, 588, 589

 

[Railperf]

Here’s another update then, and it looks like we’re waiting on these now:

501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509,
510, 512, 513, 514, 516, 518, 519,
520, 523, 524, 526, 527, 528, 529,
533, 534,
541, 544,
555,
582, 583, 585, 587, 588, 589

527 and 585 on Test arrived Shenfield on 5G40

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

527 and 585 on Test arrived Shenfield on 5G40

Cheers, have they entered passenger service?

 

[Railperf]

Cheers, have they entered passenger service?

They were on test runs with signage behind the doors stating they are on test.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

They were on test runs with signage behind the doors stating they are on test.

Hopefully not too long then.

Do you know, I’m starting to think Greater Anglia are going to cancel the second batch of 44? There hasn’t been many updates on them at all, if any, and they seem to be coping alright with the units they have. There are still 317s and 321s to replace, yes, but there are thirty-ish remaining 720/5s of the first batch to be accepted that can do that.

Not that I advocate it, because it means a wholly 5 carriage West Anglia and a few 5 carriage formations on the East side too. But I wonder if it’s what they’ll do.

 

[Alfie1014]

Hopefully not too long then.

Do you know, I’m starting to think Greater Anglia are going to cancel the second batch of 44? There hasn’t been many updates on them at all, if any, and they seem to be coping alright with the units they have. There are still 317s and 321s to replace, yes, but there are thirty-ish remaining 720/5s of the first batch to be accepted that can do that.

Not that I advocate it, because it means a wholly 5 carriage West Anglia and a few 5 carriage formations on the East side too. But I wonder if it’s what they’ll do.

Highly unlikely it would cost them dear especially so soon after the variation from 10 cars to 5. That said I’m not sure what they’ll do with a total of 133 of them, at least in the short term.

They’re not coping you only have to watch their twitter feed, 5 or 8 cars on peak services leaving passengers behind with daily clamours for more and longer trains.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Some passengers don't help themselves though by refusing to walk down the platform to use the length of the train even when longer trains are provided though. It's still commonplace in peak times to see rear coaches full and standing out of Liverpool Street with front coaches with a fair bit of fresh air.

This is also a serious problem on Stansted Express 745s (where tonight the back 5 carriages were full and standing and I had the front coach to myself) and the Norwich 745 services as well though, not just the 720s.

 

[Alfie1014]

Some passengers don't help themselves though by refusing to walk down the platform to use the length of the train even when longer trains are provided though. It's still commonplace in peak times to see rear coaches full and standing out of Liverpool Street with front coaches with a fair bit of fresh air.

This is also a serious problem on Stansted Express 745s (where tonight the back 5 carriages were full and standing and I had the front coach to myself) and the Norwich 745 services as well though, not just the 720s.

It was ever thus even with the MKIIIs could be much quieter in the leading coach on down peak services, “can’t you put more carriages on the back” was the call from the punters!

 

[F Great Eastern]

It was ever thus even with the MKIIIs could be much quieter in the leading coach on down peak services, “can’t you put more carriages on the back” was the call from the punters!

People have even less excuse now though, as the actual screens literally tell them where the spaces are, the carriages are now walk through and there is no First Class on anything but the Norwich services!

 

[Railperf]

Is it me..or does there seem to be less 720s out on GE services with more 321s in use?

 

[43096]

Highly unlikely it would cost them dear especially so soon after the variation from 10 cars to 5. That said I’m not sure what they’ll do with a total of 133 of them, at least in the short term.

They’re not coping you only have to watch their twitter feed, 5 or 8 cars on peak services leaving passengers behind with daily clamours for more and longer trains.

Given the massively late delivery, GA may well have a case for cancellation of some units for breach of contract.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Is it me..or does there seem to be less 720s out on GE services with more 321s in use?

I thought the exact same when I was out yesterday.

 

[F Great Eastern]

I thought the exact same when I was out yesterday.

Noticed more yesterday than for quite a while also.

Managed to get from Ipswich to Stansted and back without seeing a single one apart from a fair few parked up out of use close to Colchester.

Plenty of letterbox windowed 317s and various spec 321s mind.