Looking at the photos shared by Modern Railways magazine; I have to say, what a rather boring interior. Not that I was expecting much in the first place though but at least they have less 3+2 than their Greater Anglian counterparts.
Looks far nicer to my eye than the pink purple overload of the very, VERY commercialised 357 interior, which could be mistaken for a Wizz Air cabin.
Still less narrow than full 3+2 on the GA units at least!
I think that was the press launch train?
Good to see. The 2+2 at the ends and light coloured flooring makes it look less cramped than the GA 720s. I prefer carpet though c2c don't seem to have the best interior upkeep so style they've gone for will probably look better over time.
There was definitely one in Wembley yard last Saturday (24th June). Not sure which one though.
The 720s were ordered at a time when c2c was suffering from chronic overcrowding - with the reduced timetable now in place because of “low passenger numbers”, the 357s more than cover the amount of diagrams. c2c are also contractually obliged to take on the 720s, so there’s not really much they can do without facing issues with Porterbrook.
Very true. In the 60's and 70's four car class 302s comfortably handled the off-peak traffic that was on offer while the peaks required 12 car trains on the 'main' line via Upminster and 8 cars on the Tilbury loop. Nowadays there is much greater off-peak traffic on the line.
OK fair point although it does reinforce the need for their to be a national rolling stock strategy as DfT or us taxpayers will have to fund the leases until they lapse. With GA's having surplus units as well going to be quite a few under utilised Aventras floating around soon if ridership doesn't pick up.
No 720s currently in or around East Ham depot.
Was it 720611, out of interest? I noticed that at the back of Ilford around a month ago.
604 and 608 were both at Ilford yesterday morning. 602, 610 and 611 were all at Wembley, plus one UID behind 602.
I remember in the NSE days of 302s, 310s and 312s, off peak there was a service from Fenchurch st every 15 mins or so... but the peak service seemed to quadrupled at least!
Now built?
all assembled just parked up in-between the building facing London Road mate
