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

[JonathanH]

My list is probably out of date but I make it 514, 106, 108, 109 now on GA metals but not in service yet. Happy to be corrected as always.

514 was apparently in service this week.

 

[Razor1967]

I saw 720514 (with 720537) in service at Stratford on Wednesday 15th.

In addition saw 720520 heading east under its own power at Dalston on the North London line on the 14th presumably heading from Wembley to Ilford.

 

[Wivenswold]

Excellent thanks for the info.

 

[JonathanH]

However 720s are and should be used instead on the Cambridge's and other services on the route as 10 cars as a priority also.

One set of workings yesterday (Saturday) was 10-car on the Cambridge line including the 1728 / 2058 from Liverpool Street. The other six were single units.

 

[Bikeman78]

Indeed was surprised amount of people boarding at Tottenham Hale early afternoon last Thursday with platform announcer constantly asking people to keep moving towards the north end of the platform to give them ease of boarding and finding a seat.

You should see them in the peaks when you have commuters in the mix as well. It's unfortunate that the Hertford line can still only support five cars. Another point is that the loops at Broxbourne can only accommodate five cars. 10 car 720s are not allowed to release the doors there. So any diagram that includes the peak time Broxbourne trains can only be a single set.

 

[robert west]

I saw 720514 (with 720537) in service at Stratford on Wednesday 15th.

In addition saw 720520 heading east under its own power at Dalston on the North London line on the 14th presumably heading from Wembley to Ilford.

720106 in service yesterday with 589

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Pleased to confirm latest accepted 720520 is on 1055 LST to Southend Victoria today, at the country end of a ten carriage consist. I saw it from 514 on the Braintree and hope to get on it later. Another one entered service.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Pleased to confirm latest accepted 720520 is on 1055 LST to Southend Victoria today, at the country end of a ten carriage consist. I saw it from 514 on the Braintree and hope to get on it later. Another one entered service.

Does this mean some more 321's can be stood down?

 

[JonathanH]

Does this mean some more 321's can be stood down?

Seems more likely that the remaining 317s are going first, then, at a guess, the Northern units.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Does this mean some more 321's can be stood down?

Hopefully. The epidemic of five carriage formations on the East has dramatically subsided too, thankfully.

 

[warwickshire]

Seems more likely that the remaining 317s are going first, then, at a guess, the Northern units.

Yes that's correct. It appears today none are out. However was originally told via both sources that this week was the last of the 317s.. back in May. However due to ongoing 745 and 720 ablight coverage for a 745. 317 will become for a little time emergency standby. Don't expect one. Yes next in line August time after Hertford east ie east side ramp up the 5 car 720 to 10 car 720.
Also heard same time come September finish off 321 East side. 720 in action to replace the northern ones ie on the diagrams that can be ie late Witham and Braintree example. Then as we head into December on the 8/12 swap over 321 clacton diagrams example being replaced by a 10 car 720 as well.
Ie gradual process 321 replacement by 720 September to December.
However what is going on. Is correct so far. We shall see as 720 finallisation continues.

 

[JonathanH]

However due to ongoing 745 and 720 ablight coverage for a 745. 317 will become for a little time emergency standby. Don't expect one.

720s have covered Stansted 745s already. Just a case of having a spare one I guess rather than relying on continued use of 317s.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Pleased to confirm latest accepted 720520 is on 1055 LST to Southend Victoria today, at the country end of a ten carriage consist. I saw it from 514 on the Braintree and hope to get on it later. Another one entered service.

I had 720 520 for haulage yesterday ( paired with 720 526 ); just haven't had time to update the haulage threads etc yet... apologies...

 

[Wivenswold]

506 arrived at Wembley on 24th June.

 

[Fat Gaz]

One of our Norwich correspondents may be able to assist, but I wonder whether the 745/1s have all gone up to Crown Point for the Strike week for exams, repairs and fixes. Maybe they can swap out a few cars to see whether it's the inclusion of a buffet car that's making the /0s more reliable.
I jest, but at the same time, I'm sure stranger things have been found to be the cause of common faults.

I think they've gone up for repairs. I don't think they like our electricity.

Stansted runs are extremely full and have been for ages, it takes ages to exit the station now if you’re sitting among the masses.
Passengers always crowd round the rear of the train so if you want a seat these days you have to go right to the front, regardless of direction of travel.

This really doesn’t help with keeping people moving. It’s been months now. Even the ones down to the ticket office aren’t in use anymore.

Yep, they crowd in the nearest carriage to where they can get on. LST last carriage and TOM last two carriages where the entrance from the tube is.

For reference, try carriages F & G or 6th & 7th. On P3 at SSD you will be right next to the exit and the queue won't be long. On P1 it's E & F or 5th & 6th. You'll be ahead of the crush to get out.

 

[CR165022]

720108 is on its way to Wembley, hauled by 47727

 

[St. Paddy]

720108 is on its way to Wembley, hauled by 47727

According to post #1948, it was already on test. Maybe it had to go back for something

 

[60159]

According to post #1948, it was already on test. Maybe it had to go back for something

Saw 555 in service today.
On Sun went round Bethnal Green on a 720 rather than thru’ platforms.
Is this common?
There was engineering work outside Liv St.

 

[Fat Gaz]

Saw 555 in service today.
On Sun went round Bethnal Green on a 720 rather than thru’ platforms.
Is this common?
There was engineering work outside Liv St.

On Sunday the up and down Suburban were closed from hackney downs for engineering works as well as platform work around platforms 1-4 so the up and down main were used.

 

[60159]

On Sunday the up and down Suburban were closed from hackney downs for engineering works as well as platform work around platforms 1-4 so the up and down main were used.

Thanks.

 

[dk1]

We took two to Norwich Low Level sidings on Tuesday but I didn’t note what numbers we where on.

 

[Mowgli]

We took two to Norwich Low Level sidings on Tuesday but I didn’t note what numbers we where on.

Any particular reason for the 720s to venture as far as Norwich?

 

[dk1]

Any particular reason for the 720s to venture as far as Norwich?

Just testing PIS amongst other onboard stuff so had to call Stowmarket & Diss in both directions.

 

[Wivenswold]

Strategic testing. You never know if a sudden, maybe temporary change to allocated units is needed. A Class 745 went to Southend Victoria in January to test out OHL (I believe), unless there's been a huge volte-face by GA, they're very unlikely to run in service to Southend other than for a somewhat underwhelming, if comfortable railtour.

 

[Kite159]

Makes sense to clear the 720s to Norwich as a just in case they need to get used that way (i.e. a shortage of 745s) or even getting booked work (similar to the old 17:0X London - Norwich service formed of a triple 321)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Not sure if I've missed it up thread but 720 514 is in service... just seen it at Tottenham Hale on the 14.43 to Bishop's Stortford.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Not sure if I've missed it up thread but 720 514 is in service... just seen it at Tottenham Hale on the 14.43 to Bishop's Stortford.

Yes, this one's been around for a fair few weeks

Got this down as the 720s still to enter passenger service:

501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 512, 513, 516, 518, 519, 533, 534, 541, 544, 582, 583

101, 102, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144

 

[St. Paddy]

Yes, this one's been around for a fair few weeks

Got this down as the 720s still to enter passenger service:

501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 512, 513, 516, 518, 519, 533, 534, 541, 544, 582, 583

101, 102, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144

506 entered service yesterday apparently

 

[Peter Mugridge]

720 528 + 720 573 just hit a calf between Thorpe le Soken and Clacton while working the 10.18 from Liverpool Street.

Don't think we're actually off the line as it wasn't that rough but there was a lot of ballast flying...

Update it was four cows and we are in fact off the road one axle...

 

[fat_boy_pete]

720 528 + 720 573 just hit a calf between Thorpe le Soken and Clacton while working the 10.18 from Liverpool Street.

Don't think we're actually off the line as it wasn't that rough but there was a lot of ballast flying...

Update it was four cows and we are in fact off the road one axle...

Sigh! Perhaps Alstom will offer cow catchers as an optional extra for the Aventra platform