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

[ScottGallagher]

On this one:

...what's that big chunk of something on the back of the seat exactly where your knees go?

I know its the same moquette as the Flirts but this really does look up top in design terms. Makes me wonder what Abellio would have done for Northern had they retained it . Essex and Anglia folk are hopefully very lucky to have these!!

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's a shame the seats don't have the leather headrests they were originally going to get - that really looked classy.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

It's a shame the seats don't have the leather headrests they were originally going to get - that really looked classy.

I completely agree

 

[samuelmorris]

Quite a good video here:

(No affiliation with this channel)

 

[37424]

They look very nice for an outer suburban config, the seats look better than the usual Ironing Boards, number of seats with no window is somewhat disappointing given the electrostars are fairly good in that respect.

 

[EssexGonzo]

Very classy. As a Shenfield resident, a 321 user for 20+ years - I'm almost looking forward to be able to commute again. Almost. Especially in the summer.

And for a commute, the whole window-lining-up-with-seats thing really isn't a thing. Never once have I worried about it - these are commuter devices, not for "proper" long distance journeys. Those with the longer commute getting on a Southend will be able to choose their seat carefully, if a window is their priority. Most of us getting on later are grateful for any seat and an extra 20 mins snoozing.

 

[37424]

Very classy. As a Shenfield resident, a 321 user for 20+ years - I'm almost looking forward to be able to commute again. Almost. Especially in the summer.

And for a commute, the whole window-lining-up-with-seats thing really isn't a thing. Never once have I worried about it - these are commuter devices, not for "proper" long distance journeys. Those with the longer commute getting on a Southend will be able to choose their seat carefully, if a window is their priority. Most of us getting on later are grateful for any seat and an extra 20 mins snoozing.

For you maybe not but they will be working some significantly longer routes.

 

[Pumbaa]

Those vestibule draught screens look very out of place, especially when you consider the market and environment when they were specced. Goes against pretty much every other industry attempt to improve circulation, permeability through the train etc.

 

[jopsuk]

A reminder that the #1 item on the specification was "More seats. No, that's not enough, more"

 

[samuelmorris]

There is a certain irony in seeing all the questionable tip-up seats covered in 'not in use' stickers due to social distancing.

 

[hwl]

There is a certain irony in seeing all the questionable tip-up seats covered in 'not in use' stickers due to social distancing.

Hopefully they will remain out of use!

 

[EssexGonzo]

For you maybe not but they will be working some significantly longer routes.

Many of which will also be covered by the Stadler units. If the view is important, choose your train carefully. This really is a train enthusiasts problem rather than a real-world problem.

And - as I said - those passengers joining the train at those far flung outposts that are, ooh, an hour's journey away will be able to choose a seat with a view as the train will not be rammed that far out.

This is all about moving as many people as possible. I can't imagine that the view out of the window trumped squeezing in more seats. Those of us that rarely have seen a seat in the peak - and who will not have a choice of seat - really do not care about the view. There's not really much to see between Shenfield and Liverpool Street anyway.

Which leads us to........

A reminder that the #1 item on the specification was "More seats. No, that's not enough, more"

They're for commuting not sightseeing. And 90% + of people will be able to see out of the window anyway. And have you been on a commuter train recently? The view that most people seem to want is that of their phone or tablet's screen.

 

[Dave1987]

No journey on the entire GE network is truly long distance. Everything is sub 2hrs. With lots and lots of people only commuting one or two days a week into their offices and the investment many companies have made into people‘s WFH capabilities, it remains to be seen if the numbers of commuters these trains were designed to accommodate actually return to commuting 5 days a week.

 

[RealTrains07]

Iam surprised that the 720s are still missing close door buttons?

also surprised that the grab poles being white are acceptable under the PRM regulations considering they dont seem to contrast well compared to its surroundings?

 

[Shunter_69]

Doors auto close after a period of inactivity so they aren’t really needed.

 

[samuelmorris]

I did think the grabrails looked odd, that explains it! I wonder why they weren't required to be painted red? I don't think that would necessarily look out of place with the rest of the interior.

 

[306024]

Doors auto close after a period of inactivity so they aren’t really needed.

With 710s, 745s, 720s and 345s all chirping away when the doors open and close Liverpool St will soon sound like an aviary.

 

[dk1]

Doors auto close after a period of inactivity so they aren’t really needed.

Beat me to it. Just the same as the 745/755s & the 170s before them.

With 710s, 745s, 720s and 345s all chirping away when the doors open and close Liverpool St will soon sound like an aviary.

Gets so annoying. I tend to release & keep all doors open at Liverpool St. Stops all the racket& constant open/closing. Might not so much if it gets really chilly.

 

[samuelmorris]

Beat me to it. Just the same as the 745/755s & the 170s before them.


Gets so annoying. I tend to release & keep all doors open at Liverpool St. Stops all the racket& constant open/closing. Might not so much if it gets really chilly.

I'm not usually anti-PRM legislation but I feel the explicit rules about this for sound are way over the top. Something like that used on the original Desiro UK, or better yet the tube, would be perfectly adequate if standardised as people would know what to listen for. Requirements that the tone span a full 5 seconds and be those two shrill tones are completely unnecessary, especially when no stock in the UK uses positional sounders when the doors are open like on ICE stock, for example. We have less accessibility functionality, yet it's far more annoying (and potentially, if you're sat in an unfortunate place, headache inducing) for regular passengers.

 

[norbitonflyer]

No new classes in service since the first week in January (745), and now two in ten days(769, 720). Any likelihood of more before the year is out?

 

[Wivenswold]

Many of which will also be covered by the Stadler units. If the view is important, choose your train carefully. This really is a train enthusiasts problem rather than a real-world problem.

And - as I said - those passengers joining the train at those far flung outposts that are, ooh, an hour's journey away will be able to choose a seat with a view as the train will not be rammed that far out.

This is all about moving as many people as possible. I can't imagine that the view out of the window trumped squeezing in more seats. Those of us that rarely have seen a seat in the peak - and who will not have a choice of seat - really do not care about the view. There's not really much to see between Shenfield and Liverpool Street anyway.

Which leads us to........


They're for commuting not sightseeing. And 90% + of people will be able to see out of the window anyway. And have you been on a commuter train recently? The view that most people seem to want is that of their phone or tablet's screen.

Totally agree, for half the year my commute to London was in the dark anyway and due to the lack of air con, I slept most of the way home in the summer too.

 

[samuelmorris]

No new classes in service since the first week in January (745), and now two in ten days(769, 720). Any likelihood of more before the year is out?

None that I can think of unless 701s arrive miraculously early. 777s are still a way off, as are 803s. Not sure how long the 196s have to go.

 

[37424]

Many of which will also be covered by the Stadler units. If the view is important, choose your train carefully. This really is a train enthusiasts problem rather than a real-world problem.

And - as I said - those passengers joining the train at those far flung outposts that are, ooh, an hour's journey away will be able to choose a seat with a view as the train will not be rammed that far out.

This is all about moving as many people as possible. I can't imagine that the view out of the window trumped squeezing in more seats. Those of us that rarely have seen a seat in the peak - and who will not have a choice of seat - really do not care about the view. There's not really much to see between Shenfield and Liverpool Street anyway.

Which leads us to........


They're for commuting not sightseeing. And 90% + of people will be able to see out of the window anyway. And have you been on a commuter train recently? The view that most people seem to want is that of their phone or tablet's screen.

I would disagree I like a window seat even when I'm traveling not as an enthusiast especially for a journey of an hour or more, yes I'm sure there are many commuters/customers who are not bothered as you say but others may be, it seems to be an increasing trait on modern trains, I was little surprised by the lack of window seats at the carriage ends because the 345 dont really suffer from that although obviously you are sitting longitudinal, but having looked at a 345 now I now see why a combination of a different window arrangement with having 2 doors per side on the 720 and a distinct lack of a protruding cabinet from the end of the carriage that you get on the 345.

 

[Milo T.K]

I went on the day it entered service and it's pretty nice it's a definite upgrade from the likes of the 321s and 317s. I also got cab shots too

 

[Railperf]

It appears the initial diagrams are peak only diagrams keeping the unit captive on the Southend route. The normal diagrams usually end up with the xx;10 from Southend to Liverpool Street forming the xx;48 Liverpool Street to Braintree.

Only 1 working this morning - 07:55 Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria and then ECS to Ilford. Tiger showing all remaining services being 4-car or 8-car.

So clearly - either:

1. a 2 x 5-car is too long for the Braintree branch,
2. there aren't enough drivers signed for 720's to Braintree
3. keeping the 720's limited to the 4-track section of GEML due to reliability issues and the risk of breakdown.

 

[Shunter_69]

Southend and Ilford drivers all sign Braintree so isn’t that.

 

[Class 466]

Two different 720s (511/536) should enter service this afternoon on the following:

5K98 13+50 Ilford EMUD - Southend Victoria
1K77 1450 SOV - LST
2K66 1613 LST - SOV
1K95 1730 SOV - LST
1K98 1853 LST - SOV
2K37 2010 SOV - LST
1K14 2135 LST - SOV
1K55 2300 SOV - LST
2K26 0015 LST - SOV

 

[Class 170101]

Two different 720s (511/536) should enter service this afternoon on the following:

5K98 13+50 Ilford EMUD - Southend Victoria
1K77 1450 SOV - LST
2K66 1613 LST - SOV
1K95 1730 SOV - LST
1K98 1853 LST - SOV
2K37 2010 SOV - LST
1K14 2135 LST - SOV
1K55 2300 SOV - LST
2K26 0015 LST - SOV

Don't suppose it will end up in one piece by the time it finishes at 01:25 at Southedn Victoria.

 

[physics34]

A few units sitting at Wembley yard this morning

 

[superalbs]

Had my first ride on both sets yesterday, and I have to admit that I am very impressed.

Whilst my full review will be out soon, if anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them based on my experience!
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On this one:

...what's that big chunk of something on the back of the seat exactly where your knees go?

I have no idea what this is for, but it's definitely intentional, as it is on many of the seats. It's very hard too, so not like it's extra padding for your knees.