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

[ls2270]

I see that a 5Q12 1424 Worksop to Derby Lit has also run powered by 69008 - something going back to Derby ?

5Q12 was 720102.

 

[wickham]

Thanks for that, 720102 didn't stay at Worksop for long, it only went there on 18th January !

 

[47584Suffolk]

Thanks for that, 720102 didn't stay at Worksop for long, it only went there on 18th January !

Recent 720 moves from Derby to Worksop are for mechanical and electrical modifications to be carried out, not for storage. And before you ask, I have absolutely no idea why this work cannot be carried out at Derby. Moves must costing a small fortune but I doubt that GBRf will be complaining!

 

[The_Train]

Recent 720 moves from Derby to Worksop are for mechanical and electrical modifications to be carried out, not for storage. And before you ask, I have absolutely no idea why this work cannot be carried out at Derby. Moves must costing a small fortune but I doubt that GBRf will be complaining!

That's interesting! Who conducts the work at Worksop then - isn't that facility entirely owned by Harry Needle now, so is it his workforce conducting it?

 

[wickham]

RE: above two posts, I do wonder if Derby Works might be short of staff now - with the threat of job losses, have people left of their own accord while the going is good ?

 

[Peter Sarf]

RE: above two posts, I do wonder if Derby Works might be short of staff now - with the threat of job losses, have people left of their own accord while the going is good ?

A lesson I have seen learnt in the past (non-rail) is that the best/most-indispensable staff at a company might leave first as they have a better chance of an alternative job. Seen it on the back of just rumours. Including myself when I postponed resignation to the theoretical day of redundancies - I was not on the list so resigned anyway !.

I just recalled - in fact was it the design team leaving Metro Cammell that finished Metro Cammell off ?.

 

[Josh8761]

Just curious if 720144 entered service yet or not?

 

[Covshire1]

Just curious if 720144 entered service yet or not?

You can check Greater Anglia unit allocations on RealtimeTrains now...

You can check Greater Anglia unit allocations on RealtimeTrains now...

But I think it was 509 which was the last to enter service (for the second time). 137 still on test. 138 onwards haven't been delivered to GA yet.

 

[JonathanH]

Just curious if 720144 entered service yet or not?

No - 720138 to 720144 aren't even in the area, I think it is 720101/02/04/38-44/502-05/10/16/19/34 that aren't with Greater Anglia

 

[Josh8761]

No - 720138 to 720144 aren't even in the area, I think it is 720101/02/04/38-44/502-05/10/16/19/34 that aren't with Greater Anglia

Alright thanks

 

[3973EXL]

720519/143

Realtime Trains | 5Q52 0909 Derby Litchurch Lane to Worksop Down Yard | 15/02/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q52 0909 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Worksop Down Yard on 15/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

720138

Realtime Trains | 5Q12 1429 Worksop Down Yard to Derby Litchurch Lane | 15/02/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q12 1429 departure from Worksop Down Yard to Derby Litchurch Lane on 15/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[47584Suffolk]

No - 720138 to 720144 aren't even in the area, I think it is 720101/02/04/38-44/502-05/10/16/19/34 that aren't with Greater Anglia

Correct according to my records, but 137 (delivered to Ilford on 25/9/23) still not accepted by GA. Means that 114 of the 133 ordered are in service with GA.

 

[Andy1673]

Sorry but how many 720s diagrammed weekdays? About 98-100? It seems that 133 units too many for weekdays required working

 

[Peter Sarf]

Sorry but how many 720s diagrammed weekdays? About 98-100? It seems that 133 units too many for weekdays required working

A long time ago it was reckoned on this thread that there would be about 20 surplus 720s since Covid. So currently using 100 out of 113 looks about right - roughly 90% availability. GA could do with some more 745s so there has been conjecture that a number of 720s would go onto Stanstead Express duties and might even get altered to suit (luggage racks).

 

[Alfie1014]

Since the December timetable change and the restoration of the all day 15 minute service 2 Stansted diagrams have been operated by pairs of (unmodified) 720s.

 

[Adrian1980uk]

A long time ago it was reckoned on this thread that there would be about 20 surplus 720s since Covid. So currently using 100 out of 113 looks about right - roughly 90% availability. GA could do with some more 745s so there has been conjecture that a number of 720s would go onto Stanstead Express duties and might even get altered to suit (luggage racks).

Initially yes, but assuming passenger numbers continue to grow over the next few years there will be services that need strengthening across Anglia. The 755s used on InterCity may well be required on strengthening regional which may mean another 2 or 4 more 720s required on Stansted express so the 745s can be moved to InterCity plus we're still a peak service missing there. On the face of it seems an excess but those 20 spare units could very quickly becomes 10.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Initially yes, but assuming passenger numbers continue to grow over the next few years there will be services that need strengthening across Anglia. The 755s used on InterCity may well be required on strengthening regional which may mean another 2 or 4 more 720s required on Stansted express so the 745s can be moved to InterCity plus we're still a peak service missing there. On the face of it seems an excess but those 20 spare units could very quickly becomes 10.

I agree the surplus GA 720s will become necessary. Its only a matter of time.

 

[Andy1673]

I agree the surplus GA 720s will become necessary. Its only a matter of time.

A long time ago it was reckoned on this thread that there would be about 20 surplus 720s since Covid. So currently using 100 out of 113 looks about right - roughly 90% availability. GA could do with some more 745s so there has been conjecture that a number of 720s would go onto Stanstead Express duties and might even get altered to suit (luggage racks).

Thanks.

 

[Railperf]

I note so far only 5-car 720's on stratford services in spite of longthened platforms at Stratford. Any idea what's preventing them being lengthened to 10-cars at the moment?

 

[JonathanH]

I note so far only 5-car 720's on stratford services in spite of longthened platforms at Stratford. Any idea what's preventing them being lengthened to 10-cars at the moment?

A 160m platform at Meridian Water on the Lea Valley Reversible doesn't help. Platform 11 at Stratford is 264m, but platform 12 is 182m, so any 10-car trains would have to be on workings which don't use the Lea Valley Reversible and also use platform 11 at Stratford.

There are some early morning reversals of empty stock on platform 11 at Stratford which involve 10-car (and 12-car) trains, but, as you say, no passenger services.

 

[Bikeman78]

A 160m platform at Meridian Water on the Lea Valley Reversible doesn't help. Platform 11 at Stratford is 264m, but platform 12 is 182m, so any 10-car trains would have to be on workings which don't use the Lea Valley Reversible and also use platform 11 at Stratford.

There are some early morning reversals of empty stock on platform 11 at Stratford which involve 10-car (and 12-car) trains, but, as you say, no passenger services.

The reversible platform at Tottenham Hale is only 160m as well. I think the 720s were already in the pipeline when those platforms were constructed so it seems that five cars is the planned maximum for the foreseeable future.

 

[Kite159]

The reversible platform at Tottenham Hale is only 160m as well. I think the 720s were already in the pipeline when those platforms were constructed so it seems that five cars is the planned maximum for the foreseeable future.

I guess a pair of 720s couldn't use the reversal line due to the signalling? (Using SDO to close the doors which won't get released)

 

[3973EXL]

720142

Realtime Trains | 5Q52 0909 Derby Litchurch Lane to Worksop Down Yard | 21/02/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q52 0909 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Worksop Down Yard on 21/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

720502

Realtime Trains | 5Q12 1417 Worksop Down Yard to Derby Litchurch Lane | 21/02/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q12 1417 departure from Worksop Down Yard to Derby Litchurch Lane on 21/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[wickham]

Thanks for the above info, is it known what went back from Worksop to Derby ? Apparently 69010 provided the power.

 

[3973EXL]

Thanks for the above info, is it known what went back from Worksop to Derby ? Apparently 69010 provided the power.

Reported elsewhere as 720502

Loco shown in RTT link

 

[wickham]

Is 720516 still at Longsight - it went there 21.11.23 - have there been any sightings ?

 

[3973EXL]

720101

Realtime Trains | 5Q13 1101 Worksop Down Yard to Derby Litchurch Lane | 23/02/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q13 1101 departure from Worksop Down Yard to Derby Litchurch Lane on 23/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Liam L]

Is 720516 still at Longsight - it went there 21.11.23 - have there been any sightings ?

https://twitter.com/Martin_H_1986/status/1761055118407909632?t=hz5QePtkF2Os1EART9Ke2w&s=19

Just saw this tweet and came searching to find out why it there, any ideas?

 

[wickham]

A 5Q12 1404 Worksop to Derby Lit has run today (Wed 28/02) powered by 69010: One presumes it was probably a 720 returning to Derby, can anyone say if that is so, and if so, which one please ?

 

[Covshire1]

A 5Q12 1404 Worksop to Derby Lit has run today (Wed 28/02) powered by 69010: One presumes it was probably a 720 returning to Derby, can anyone say if that is so, and if so, which one please ?

720503