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

[Mikey C]

I guess that would mean more 2+2 seating near the vestibules then? Assuming this is the case, the areas will look the closest row in the photo below, I assume...

View attachment 130450

Which is what was done with the Networkers 30 years ago near the doors to improve passenger flow, while keeping 3+2 away from the doors. Poor design to not do something similar from the start.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Which is what was done with the Networkers 30 years ago near the doors to improve passenger flow, while keeping 3+2 away from the doors. Poor design to not do something similar from the start.

I suspect the prime directive was to get as many seats in as possible no arguments. Since Covid I suspect DfT are a bit more lenient.

 

[47584Suffolk]

I had 720541 for haulage on 16/01/23. Working was 1N44 1712 LST CLT. (Liverpool St - Clacton) it was paired with 720562.

For the (delayed!) record, 541 was accepted on 23/12/22 but - thanks to a combination of Xmas/New Year line closures and strikes - it didn't work its first train until 10/1 (05:20 Clacton to Liv St). HTH.

Thanks for the clarification gdj - very helpful.


Many thanks GeoffS. It would appear that no-one has recorded 541 being in service before this date, and, with quite a few people keeping an eye on the 720 situation, it doesn't seem unreasonable to think that it wasn't in service before this date, rather than the date GA signed the lease (23rd Dec '22). Unless anyone knows to the contrary? .......

As I have just recorded elsewhere on this thread, 541's first day in service was 10/1.

Can anyone confirm when 122 entered service (approx) please?

122 accepted on 1/3. First train worked was the next day's 16:42 Liv St - Clacton.

 

[The_Train]

122 accepted on 1/3. First train worked was the next day's 16:42 Liv St - Clacton.

That's great, thanks very much

 

[TheHSRailFan]

Unit 720124 was brought tonight by GA, bringing the current number of 720s to 99! 1 more till 100 720s.

 

[St. Paddy]

Unit 720124 was brought tonight by GA, bringing the current number of 720s to 99! 1 more till 100 720s.

You mean taken on lease?

 

[Milo T.K]

You mean taken on lease?

Brought by the leasing company

 

[St. Paddy]

Brought by the leasing company

Ah, I see

 

[travelworld2]

Bought even

 

[robert west]

Bought even

720508 in service tonight on 2000 wtham to liverpool street (1935 ex colchester town?)
not sure if been reported yet

 

[Peter Mugridge]

720508 in service tonight on 2000 wtham to liverpool street (1935 ex colchester town?)
not sure if been reported yet

I had that one on 6th March:

2023 New Haulages

03/03/23 465189 700138 801210 Last 9-car 801 on a work commute. Also pleased to get a 465 as I've had the vast majority of the /0s and /1s...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Eillo78]

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 0846 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 15/03/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 0846 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 15/03/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Just left Derby with 720518

 

[meld3]

720508 in service tonight on 2000 wtham to liverpool street (1935 ex colchester town?)
not sure if been reported yet

I had it from LST-Stratford on 15th Feb (sorry, didn't note which service).

 

[Wivenswold]

I've only been on a few of GA's Aventras and I won't be going out for a few weeks on trains so with that in mind...

Are all of the 720/5s showing "Bombardier" manufacturer or was there a cut off when they started to show Alstom as the builder. Do they even have that information within them? If they do I assume all the /1s are Alstom.

 

[delticdave]

I was surprised today (Thursday 16.02.'23) to see two 10 car 720's at South Woodham (down & up of course, both sets cross each other at the North Fambridge loop). Since the bay platforms at Wickford can't cope with 10-car trains, where were they originating from?

Any info would be welcome.....

 

[Sleepy]

I was surprised today (Thursday 16.02.'23) to see two 10 car 720's at South Woodham (down & up of course, both sets cross each other at the North Fambridge loop). Since the bay platforms at Wickford can't cope with 10-car trains, where were they originating from?

Any info would be welcome.....

Strike timetable, services operating to/from Liverpool St.

 

[delticdave]

Strike timetable, services operating to/from Liverpool St.

Thanks, makes sense........

 

[3973EXL]

50049/007 720126

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 0829 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 17/03/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 0829 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 17/03/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[The_Train]

I'm told that 720103 / 114 / 116 / 118 have all now entered service - can anyone confirm any of these having entered service please and roughly when if possible please?

 

[JonathanH]

I'm told that 720103 / 114 / 116 / 118 have all now entered service - can anyone confirm any of these having entered service please and roughly when if possible please?

This list will give you a very good idea https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-and-introduction.158396/page-77#post-6079843

114, 116 and 118 all in December 2022 103 in January 2023

 

[Peter Mugridge]

720 122 is in service on the Lea Valley today 20th.

...and to answer the questions about the revised seating layout, this is the interior of 720 118.

 

[The_Train]

This list will give you a very good idea https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-and-introduction.158396/page-77#post-6079843

114, 116 and 118 all in December 2022 103 in January 2023

I saw that but my uneducated brain told me that information would not be the same as entry into actual service - am I mistaken there and those dates are dates entered service?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

So I personally have
502, 503, 504, 505, 509, 510, 516, 518, 519, 534 from Batch 1 and
101, 102, 104, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144
from Batch 2 down as not having entered service yet?

 

[JonathanH]

109, 115

Both of these in service - otherwise agree the list

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Both of these in service - otherwise agree the list

Ah okay thanks I’ll edit as such

 

[JonathanH]

I saw that but my uneducated brain told me that information would not be the same as entry into actual service - am I mistaken there and those dates are dates entered service?

There isn't usually a long gap between that date and entry into service.

720103 is reported here https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/new-units-in-service-in-2023.242087/#post-6044813 as in service by 28 January 2023.

720114 is reported here https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/2022-new-haulages.226603/page-17#post-5991681 as in service by 23 December 2022

There don't appear to be reports of the actual in service dates for 720116 and 720118 as they seem to have joined the fleet in very late December 2022. However, I note the posting above of the interior of the latter unit.

 

[Ex31Rigger]

720124 noted in service on Saturday. Currently working services between LST and Southend Victoria today.

 

[The_Train]

So I personally have
502, 503, 504, 505, 509, 510, 516, 518, 519, 534 from Batch 1 and
101, 102, 104, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144
from Batch 2 down as not having entered service yet?

There isn't usually a long gap between that date and entry into service.

720103 is reported here https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/new-units-in-service-in-2023.242087/#post-6044813 as in service by 28 January 2023.

720114 is reported here https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/2022-new-haulages.226603/page-17#post-5991681 as in service by 23 December 2022

There don't appear to be reports of the actual in service dates for 720116 and 720118 as they seem to have joined the fleet in very late December 2022. However, I note the posting above of the interior of the latter unit.

Really appreciate both of your help with this guys

 

[Jammy Dodger]

...and to answer the questions about the revised seating layout, this is the interior of 720 118.

Thank you, that looks far better! Could we please get that the whole length of each coach...?

 

[3973EXL]

50s & 720125

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1022 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 21/03/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1022 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 21/03/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

50s & 720123

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1022 Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D | 22/03/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1022 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Willesden T.M.D on 22/03/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk