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

[robert west]

so what's the current fleet status? How many used in service, how close to all drivers being trained?

720545 and 546 arrived from wembley on 5q30 test train to witham this morning (arrived1038)
then forms 1040 test 5q32 to thorpe le soken

 

[The_Train]

It appears that these units have now made it to Harwich, operating the "boat trains" over the weekend

 

[StephenHunter]

The Stadler's invasion of Essex continues apace. Clacton awaits its Pullman only 745/2s. Unless they're thinking of fitting pantos on 442s now. Who knows anything these days? I don't, probably.

Having seen the surviving 309s at the old Electric Railway Museum, I can see why they were popular.

Rode a couple last week on a trip to the Crouch Valley Line. Very smart looking inside.

 

[Railperf]

Took a trip to Southend yesterday. The service still mainly run by 321's. I did not check the unit pairing of my train but all doors in the rearmost car were apparently locked out of use due to a mechanical issue. Driver was warning passengers at each station.
Mixed views from drivers at the moment. Some love em. some hate em.

 

[Alfie1014]

Seem to be short of 720s today journey check showing 3 diagrams 5 vice 10.

 

[47421]

Per other threads various TOCs have today published May 2022 timetable consultations re East Coast recast, including TL/GN. But nothing from GA. We were told West Anglia would be recast same time as TL/GN as affects Cambridge. But presumably the delays to 720s mean they are going to have to assume 317/379 timings in May 2022?

 

[Bald Rick]

Per other threads various TOCs have today published May 2022 timetable consultations re East Coast recast, including TL/GN. But nothing from GA. We were told West Anglia would be recast same time as TL/GN as affects Cambridge. But presumably the delays to 720s mean they are going to have to assume 317/379 timings in May 2022?

... or that the service specification isn’t changing.

 

[47421]

... or that the service specification isn’t changing.

well perhaps, but for example you can see that the 3 peak Kings Lynn - LivSt and return are going to have to be retimed (if they are re-instated post covid that is)

 

[Bald Rick]

well perhaps, but for example you can see that the 3 peak Kings Lynn - LivSt and return are going to have to be retimed (if they are re-instated post covid that is)

Retiming is not something that needs consultation, unless it is outside the spec set in the franchise agreement. If the services are not to return, that needs consultation. But is subject to a different decision, I suspect.

 

[47421]

Retiming is not something that needs consultation, unless it is outside the spec set in the franchise agreement. If the services are not to return, that needs consultation. But is subject to a different decision, I suspect.

Noted, but I thought it was impolite to mention the GA Franchise Agreement

 

[Roger B]

There seems to have been a slow-down in the acceptance of new units into service - the last one was while ago. I'd have thought that 720 usage, including FFR, would be increasing , but numbers in service seem to have been pretty static - or even dropped a little - over recent weeks. Is it problems with the units and/or with driver training that's the main issue - or my imagination? Anyone in the know?

 

[Shunter_69]

I think GE driver training is going pretty well. I’m sure at my depot more people sign 720’s than Stadler’s now. It’s pretty close if not.

 

[greaterangrier]

I've now had a good few rides on the 720. The acceleration is fantastic, seats are fine for a modern train and the information displays are fantastic however I can't fit through the aisles easily! The thing I'd like to ask though is different - the ride quality is although usually smooth, loud and often shudders from side to side while you feel every jolt. In addition you can hear the body panels creaking as we accelerate and decelerate. This is noticably different from what the common opinion is and I'm wondering whether it's just me.

 

[Fincra5]

I've now had a good few rides on the 720. The acceleration is fantastic, seats are fine for a modern train and the information displays are fantastic however I can't fit through the aisles easily! The thing I'd like to ask though is different - the ride quality is although usually smooth, loud and often shudders from side to side while you feel every jolt. In addition you can hear the body panels creaking as we accelerate and decelerate. This is noticably different from what the common opinion is and I'm wondering whether it's just me.

Seems to be common with all trains that are lighter! Especially the ride over "Light-Weight" Bogies... The Cally Sleeper, for example, is awful!

 

[Wivenswold]

The second batch, I've seen them referred to both as 720/0 and 720/1, which is correct? I assume there are currently no actual differences between the batches.

I wonder which unit was the first released as an Alstom Aventra in February 2021, if they're still under construction of course, there's not been an update from GA for some time.

By my calculations,104 x 5 car units still to arrive at Ilford Depot. 123 "Legacy" 4 car units remain in service, including 28 non-PRM Class 321s.

Finally, has anyone heard anything concrete about "Airport 720s"? I can imagine Alstom telling GA where to go if another specification revision is requested.

 

[43096]

Finally, has anyone heard anything concrete about "Airport 720s"? I can imagine Alstom telling GA where to go if another specification revision is requested.

Why would Alstom do that? Variation orders are where money is made.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The second batch, I've seen them referred to both as 720/0 and 720/1, which is correct? I assume there are currently no actual differences between the batches.

I wonder which unit was the first released as an Alstom Aventra in February 2021, if they're still under construction of course, there's not been an update from GA for some time.

By my calculations,104 x 5 car units still to arrive at Ilford Depot. 123 "Legacy" 4 car units remain in service, including 28 non-PRM Class 321s.

Finally, has anyone heard anything concrete about "Airport 720s"? I can imagine Alstom telling GA where to go if another specification revision is requested.

Airport 720s? That’s a new one… can’t say I’ve heard of that before?

 

[Roger B]

The second batch, I've seen them referred to both as 720/0 and 720/1, which is correct? I assume there are currently no actual differences between the batches.

I wonder which unit was the first released as an Alstom Aventra in February 2021, if they're still under construction of course, there's not been an update from GA for some time.

By my calculations,104 x 5 car units still to arrive at Ilford Depot. 123 "Legacy" 4 car units remain in service, including 28 non-PRM Class 321s.

Finally, has anyone heard anything concrete about "Airport 720s"? I can imagine Alstom telling GA where to go if another specification revision is requested.

I doubt it, but it won't be cheap - changes to spec are usually way more profitable that initial contracts - customer has little choice but to pay if they want their way!

 

[RailWonderer]

Airport 720s? That’s a new one… can’t say I’ve heard of that before?

Inside rumour, not confirmed. 745s make no sense on the WA, since all maintenance is done at Crown Point, that's all we know for certain.

 

[MatthewRead]

Inside rumour, not confirmed. 745s make no sense on the WA, since all maintenance is done at Crown Point, that's all we know for certain.

And all Norwich service would become entirely run by 745's then?

 

[Wivenswold]

The rumour was that only 5 Stadlers would be kept on the airport runs which would then be shared with 720s. The rest would bolster IC Norwich services and 3 long-distance GA commuter services from and to Ipswich and Clacton. The guys at Crown Point may know more as they'll probably not be signing 720s if this happens.

GA did actually mention back in 2018 that the Aventras would run on the Stansted Express too, but a lot has happened since then. The appearance of a bi-mode Stadler on the Manningtree/Harwich branch may point towards NE Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk seeing fewer Aventra diagrams than originally planned.

If there was a plan.

 

[StephenHunter]

Aren't they all 720/5s now for GA? The 720/1 was for the 10-car units; an order that has now been converted into more 5-car ones.

 

[Shunter_69]

The Stadler on the Harwich’s is more to do with a lack of stock rather than anything else as only Colchester sign the traction and the route and are having to cover the other depots diagrams when one is used.

 

[Alfie1014]

Has 560 been noted accepted in traffic yet? It was with another on the 15:15 Liv St to Southend Vic this afternoon.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Hiya

As far as I’m aware, these are in passenger service:

720511, 515, 517, 522, 536-540, 542-543, 547, 548, 550, 552-553, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564

Have any more started doing passenger services yet?

 

[Railperf]

Aren't they all 720/5s now for GA? The 720/1 was for the 10-car units; an order that has now been converted into more 5-car ones.

yes 720/5 on GA.

Still appears to be no more than 6 M-F 720 diagrams. 3 x Ipswich/Colchester Town/ Clacton, and three Southend/Braintree.
Do we know how many units are accepted?

 

[StephenHunter]

They seem to be running in pairs, FWIW.

 

[The_Train]

Has 560 been noted accepted in traffic yet? It was with another on the 15:15 Liv St to Southend Vic this afternoon.

I certainly didn't have it down as having entered service so thanks for sharing this info

 

[Wivenswold]

Aren't they all 720/5s now for GA? The 720/1 was for the 10-car units; an order that has now been converted into more 5-car ones.

In theory yes they are all 720/5s because, as far as we know, they are all the same. The different subclass is just admin because they'll be numbered either 001-044 or 101-144 depending on your source. I think 101-144 is favourite.

 

[Taylorgb19]

Once 720s start going’s was into service on the WAML will it be 10 car services or 5 cars