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

[Peter Mugridge]

720 528 is back in service; currently paired with 720 572 on the 14.53 Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Quick question: What is the difference between a 720/5 and a 720/1?

I noticed a couple of '1s in service recently but could not see any obvious differences

 

[43096]

Quick question: What is the difference between a 720/5 and a 720/1?

Nothing! The /1 fleet was originally ordered as 22 x 10 car sets but has been changed to 44 x 5 car. The c2c sets are 720601 upwards, so it’s been decided to use 720101-144 rather than the more obvious 720590-633.

 

[Trainbike46]

Quick question: What is the difference between a 720/5 and a 720/1?

I noticed a couple of '1s in service recently but could not see any obvious differences

They're the same. Originally the /1s were supposed to be 10 cars, but the plan got changed to make them identical to the (5-car) /5s

 

[Islineclear3_1]

They're the same. Originally the /1s were supposed to be 10 cars, but the plan got changed to make them identical to the (5-car) /5s

Okay thanks. Maybe they'll be renumbered in the '5 range eventually (?)

 

[Trainbike46]

Okay thanks. Maybe they'll be renumbered in the '5 range eventually (?)

no, there are too many 5-cars to fit in the /5 range, so some had to be in another one. /6 was already taken ( i think by C2C?), so just continuing on with the numbers was not possible, so it was decided to keep some in the /1 range

 

[ashkeba]

no, there are too many 5-cars to fit in the /5 range, so some had to be in another one. /6 was already taken ( i think by C2C?), so just continuing on with the numbers was not possible, so it was decided to keep some in the /1 range

Are TOPS numbers allocated by people who never learned to leave spare line numbers in BASIC programs?

 

[AlexNL]

One could argue that there's no reason why the c2c units have different subclasses to begin with, aren't they the exact same train as the GA version?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

One could argue that there's no reason why the c2c units have different subclasses to begin with, aren't they the exact same train as the GA version?

They were set to be a different class entirely originally!

 

[Roger B]

New 720s have been being delivered and entering service pretty frequently for most of the year until fairly recently . Looking back through the thread, it appears the most recent unit to enter service was 720506 - reported in service on 8th August - was over three weeks ago. Similarly the pace of new deliveries seems to have dropped.

Is this this solely down to fewer staff being available for commissioning, FFR, training, etc during the holiday season, or is there some other reason? Whilst off-peak passenger numbers have recovered to (and in several cases exceeded) pre-pandemic levels in many parts of the country, it seems that for most TOCs rush hour commuting numbers lag pre-pandemic levels, and it's widely suggested that pre-pandemic levels are unlikely to be regained any time soon, due to changed working practices (also leading to significant off-loading of non-prime office accommodation), and the economic downturn. Bearing this in mind, perhaps DfT is reassessing whether GA will need the full complement of 720s, and considering alternative homes for some? Or perhaps the 720s configuration / seating, etc means that they can't easily be redirected to other TOCs?

 

[gdj]

New 720s have been being delivered and entering service pretty frequently for most of the year until fairly recently . Looking back through the thread, it appears the most recent unit to enter service was 720506 - reported in service on 8th August - was over three weeks ago. Similarly the pace of new deliveries seems to have dropped.

Is this this solely down to fewer staff being available for commissioning, FFR, training, etc during the holiday season, or is there some other reason? Whilst off-peak passenger numbers have recovered to (and in several cases exceeded) pre-pandemic levels in many parts of the country, it seems that for most TOCs rush hour commuting numbers lag pre-pandemic levels, and it's widely suggested that pre-pandemic levels are unlikely to be regained any time soon, due to changed working practices (also leading to significant off-loading of non-prime office accommodation), and the economic downturn. Bearing this in mind, perhaps DfT is reassessing whether GA will need the full complement of 720s, and considering alternative homes for some? Or perhaps the 720s configuration / seating, etc means that they can't easily be redirected to other TOCs?

Since 506 entered service on 14/07 there has been 501&108 on 23/07, 533&107 on 30/07 and 512&110 were purchased 31/08, don't know if they have been used for service yet.

 

[Roger B]

Since 506 entered service on 14/07 there has been 501&108 on 23/07, 533&107 on 30/07 and 512&110 were purchased 31/08, don't know if they have been used for service yet.

Many thanks gdj.

I was aware of 501, 108, 533 & 107 - but they were back in July.

Just seemed a bit odd to me that deliveries / getting units into service had dried up on August. Perhaps is was just the holiday sseason .....

Thanks for the gen on 512 & 110 - good to know things have started up again. Anyone know when 110 was delivered - and dates into service for them?

Cheers

 

[robert west]

Many thanks gdj.

I was aware of 501, 108, 533 & 107 - but they were back in July.

Just seemed a bit odd to me that deliveries / getting units into service had dried up on August. Perhaps is was just the holiday sseason .....

Thanks for the gen on 512 & 110 - good to know things have started up again. Anyone know when 110 was delivered - and dates into service for them?

Cheers

720110 on london end of 2102 liv street to ipswich today
front unit was 720560

 

[55002]

When do they start 10 cars on the Hertford?

 

[Shwam3]

When do they start 10 cars on the Hertford?

Tomorrow 5th September, on the following diagram:

2O01 0525 Hertford East to Liverpool Street
2O06 0642 Liverpool Street to Hertford East
2D57 0757 Hertford East to Liverpool Street (via Seven Sisters)
2O16 0912 Liverpool Street to Hertford East
2O19 1009 Hertford East to Liverpool Street
2O24 1112 Liverpool Street to Hertford East

Which then splits into two 5 cars.

 

[Roger B]

720110 on london end of 2102 liv street to ipswich today
front unit was 720560

Thaks Robert

 

[Peter Mugridge]

720110 on london end of 2102 liv street to ipswich today
front unit was 720560

720 110 apparently was on the 11.33 Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria this morning; I should be able to confirm when the diagram returns in 90 minutes.


Edited: It is on that diagram and is still with 720 560.

 

[47421]

Tomorrow 5th September, on the following diagram:

2O01 0525 Hertford East to Liverpool Street
2O06 0642 Liverpool Street to Hertford East
2D57 0757 Hertford East to Liverpool Street (via Seven Sisters)
2O16 0912 Liverpool Street to Hertford East
2O19 1009 Hertford East to Liverpool Street
2O24 1112 Liverpool Street to Hertford East

Which then splits into two 5 cars.

thanks, any evening jobs booked 10car?

 

[Shwam3]

thanks, any evening jobs booked 10car?

That is the only diagram currently, I would expect more in the coming weeks as more units are accepted.

 

[robert west]

That is the only diagram currently, I would expect more in the coming weeks as more units are accepted.

720533 in use today on 1348 london to braintree

 

[DJS76]

That is the only diagram currently, I would expect more in the coming weeks as more units are accepted.

Have the platform works at Enfield Lock been completed?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

720533 in use today on 1348 london to braintree

That’s been around a while

 

[Shwam3]

Have the platform works at Enfield Lock been completed?

No works to the platform were planned here, but the signal on the up road was moved here (and at Brimsdown) back in July to allow 10 car operation.

 

[DJS76]

No works to the platform were planned here, but the signal on the up road was moved here (and at Brimsdown) back in July to allow 10 car operation.

So is SDO used at these stations?. From memory they are only long enough for 8 coaches.

 

[Class 170101]

So is SDO used at these stations?. From memory they are only long enough for 8 coaches.

Yes.

Only some 10/12 carriage platforms on West Anglia

Liverpool Street, Stratford, Tottenham Hale, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Ware, Hertford East, Harlow Town, Sawbridgeworth, Bishops Stortford, Stansted Airport, Audley End, Whittlesford, Cambridge, Cambridge North and Ely. Have I missed any?

 

[47421]

Yes.

Only some 10/12 carriage platforms on West Anglia

Liverpool Street, Stratford, Tottenham Hale, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Ware, Hertford East, Harlow Town, Sawbridgeworth, Bishops Stortford, Stansted Airport, Audley End, Whittlesford, Cambridge, Cambridge North and Ely. Have I missed any?

and Stansted Mountfitchet

 

[43102EMR]

Yes.

Only some 10/12 carriage platforms on West Anglia

Liverpool Street, Stratford, Tottenham Hale, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Ware, Hertford East, Harlow Town, Sawbridgeworth, Bishops Stortford, Stansted Airport, Audley End, Whittlesford, Cambridge, Cambridge North and Ely. Have I missed any?

Worth nothing the West Anglia platforms at Stratford can’t handle more than a 5 coach 720 and an 8 coach 317/379, so will need platform lengthening works at some point (not sure if plans have begun for this?)

 

[Bikeman78]

Yes.

Only some 10/12 carriage platforms on West Anglia

Liverpool Street, Stratford, Tottenham Hale, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Ware, Hertford East, Harlow Town, Sawbridgeworth, Bishops Stortford, Stansted Airport, Audley End, Whittlesford, Cambridge, Cambridge North and Ely. Have I missed any?

Broxbourne is only 12 car on the main lines. The loops are 8 car/160m. As I understand it, 10 car 720s cannot use the loops.

 

[Shwam3]

Worth nothing the West Anglia platforms at Stratford can’t handle more than a 5 coach 720 and an 8 coach 317/379, so will need platform lengthening works at some point (not sure if plans have begun for this?)

Stratford platform 11 has just been extended to 10/12 car length, opened this morning.

Broxbourne is only 12 car on the main lines. The loops are 8 car/160m. As I understand it, 10 car 720s cannot use the loops.

Broxbourne is now all 10/12 cars, lengthened platforms 1 & 4 opened last Monday.

 

[AS43]

Yes.

Only some 10/12 carriage platforms on West Anglia

Liverpool Street, Stratford, Tottenham Hale, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Ware, Hertford East, Harlow Town, Sawbridgeworth, Bishops Stortford, Stansted Airport, Audley End, Whittlesford, Cambridge, Cambridge North and Ely. Have I missed any?

Stansted Mountfitchet!