British Rail Class 720

British Rail Class 720 Aventra
Greater Anglia Class 720 at Great Bentley
The interior of a Greater Anglia Class 720 Aventra
In service	26 November 2020–present
Manufacturer	Bombardier Transportation Alstom
Built at	Derby Litchurch Lane Works
Family name	Aventra
Replaced	Class 315 (Greater Anglia) Class 317 (Greater Anglia) Class 321 (Greater Anglia) Class 322 (Greater Anglia) Class 360 (Greater Anglia) Class 379 (Greater Anglia) [1]
Constructed	2018–2024[2]
Number built	145
Number in service	107[3]
Formation	5 cars per unit: DMS-PMSL-MS2-MS3-DTSLW
Diagram	DMS vehs.: EL237 PMSL vehs.: ER221 MS2 vehs.: ER222 MS3 vehs.: ER223 DTSLW vehs.: EQ205[4]
Fleet numbers	720101–720144[5] 720501–720589 720601–720612
Capacity	490 seats (Greater Anglia sets)[6] plus 145 standees 443 seats (c2c sets)[7] plus 236 standees[8]
Owners	Angel Trains[9]
Operators	Greater Anglia c2c
Depots	East Ham (London)[10] Ilford (London)
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium
Train length	122 m (400 ft 3 in)
Car length	24.2 m (79 ft 5 in)
Width	2.77 m (9 ft 1 in)
Doors	Double-leaf sliding plug (2 per side per car)
Maximum speed	100 mph (161 km/h)
Weight	193.1 tonnes (190.1 long tons; 212.9 short tons)
Power output	2,300 kW (3,100 hp)
Acceleration	0.8 m/s^2 (1.8 mph/s)
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Bogies	Bombardier Flexx-Eco[11]
Safety system(s)	AWS TPWS
Coupling system	Dellner
Multiple working	Within class
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
Sourced from [12][13] unless otherwise noted.

The British Rail Class 720 Aventra is a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train designed and produced by the rolling stock manufacturer Bombardier Transportation and its acquirer Alstom. The Class 720 is operated by both Greater Anglia and c2c.

145 Class 720 units were ordered in the five car configuration only; these are to be operated across multiple suburban lines leading out of both London Liverpool Street (Greater Anglia and c2c) and London Fenchurch Street (c2c).^[14] Originally intended to be introduced during 2019, delays were encountered during development that minorly impacted this timetable. On 26 November 2020, Greater Anglia commenced the Class 720's introduction. Its initial operations were centred on the London Liverpool Street to Southend Line.^[14] All Greater Anglia units were intended to be in service by the summer of 2020.^[13] c2c's fleet entered service on 27 September 2023.^[15]

Cab interior of a Class 720

Description

The Class 720 is a member of rolling stock manufacturer Bombardier's Aventra family of multiple units, having been developed from the company's successful line of Electrostar electric multiple units (EMUs).^[13] In comparison to the preceding Electrostar, with which it shares numerous elements, the Class 720 is a considerably lighter vehicle, and features longer carriages: a ten-car Class 720 train is approximately the same length as a 12-car Class 360 train, the ten-car Class 720 has a tare weight of 386 tonnes in contrast to the 516 tonnes of the 12-car Class 360 train, while providing considerably more seating.^[13]

Each car has a length of 24 m (79 ft), the bodyshell of which is composed of aluminium, the assembly of which using both welding and bolting techniques.^[13] The Class 720 has a maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h), possessing a starting tractive effort per motor of 21.6 kN (4,900 lbf) and a peak traction power at the wheel of 2,300 kW (3,100 hp) per unit to achieve its maximum rate of acceleration of 0.8 m/s² (1.8 mph/s). The driver is seated in a central position within the forward cab; a second seat is provided for an observer/instructor.^[13]

All Class 720 orders as at October 2022 have been delivered in five-car configuration. The units have a length of 122 m (400 ft) and accommodate up to 540 seated passengers in a standard-class seating configuration. As of October 2022, no operator has chosen to configure their Class 720 fleets with first class accommodation.^[16]

The interior of Class 720 features a 3+2 seating arrangement. These seats are intentionally cantilevered above the floor to provide greater under-seat space for storing personal luggage as well as to ease cleaning.^[17] Furthermore, various amenities are present for the convenience and comfort of the travelling public. Each car benefits from air conditioning throughout, while numerous passenger information systems, displaying passenger loading indicators among other information, are present across each carriage's interior.^[14] Every seat is provided with its own seat-back table and power sockets, while on-train Wi-Fi enables online connectivity throughout the journey. Onboard toilet facilities are also present.^[14] Akin to trains operated by the London Overground, the Class 720s have through gangways to encourage passengers to spread out across the train.^[14] The interior is also fully compliant with the Technical Specification for Interoperability for Persons of Reduced Mobility, featuring dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, as well as spaces for bicycles. One of the two toilets present in a five-car formation is also outfitted for greater accessibility.^[13]

In September 2017, Greater Anglia unveiled an early mockup of the interior intended to be fitted to the Class 720 fleet. This was used as part of a consultation that solicited 1,000 responses from members of the public. Numerous changes were subsequently made to the interior. Alterations included the replacement of the originally intended Fainsa seating with softer seating supplied by Kiel, as well as the addition of seat back tables.^[14] The units also featured underfloor heating, eliminating the need for the bodyside heaters and thus increasing floorspace for more passengers.^[13] This heating arrangement was allegedly the first use amongst any train on the British railway system.^{[citation needed]}

History

Greater Anglia

In August 2016, Greater Anglia was awarded the East Anglia franchise with a commitment to replace all of the existing fleet. As part of this, an order was placed with Bombardier for 111 electric multiple units that were members of the recently launched Aventra family.^[18][19] These new trains were designated as the Class 720 and were originally planned to be divided into two sub-classes; 89 five-carriage 720/5 units and 22 ten-carriage 720/1 units.^[20] However, during October 2020, Greater Anglia amended its order to convert all 22 ten-car units into a further 44 five-car units, stating that this delivered increased flexibility within the originally-ordered total of 665 vehicles.^[21]

The Class 720 is a replacement for a diverse range of units, including the Class 317 and Class 321 units, together with the more modern Class 360 and Class 379 fleets that has been long used on outer-suburban services on the West Anglia and Great Eastern Main Lines.^[20] The Class 720s are constructed at Bombardier's Derby Litchurch Lane Works.^[22] The order has been financed by the rolling stock company Angel Trains.^[23][24] The introduction of the fleet has been accompanied by a roughly £300 million investment in new and refurbished infrastructure, affecting depots, sidings, and stations, to best accommodate the new trains.^[13]

c2c

Class 720 c2c being tested at Crewe

In December 2017, c2c announced it had reached an agreement with rolling stock financiers Porterbrook and manufacturer Bombardier to procure 60 vehicles of the latter's Aventra family—formed into six 10-car trains—with the intention that they would enter service in 2021.^[25] The order was subsequently amended to comprise twelve 5-car trains.^[26] These will be numbered in subclass 720/6, following an earlier expectation that they would be designated Class 711.^[27][28][29]

Operation

Greater Anglia

Production of the first unit for Greater Anglia began in February 2018 and was completed in September 2018.^[30][31]

Early on, it had been intended for the type to enter service during 2019, but the fleet's introduction had to postponed into the following year due to software issues with the onboard Train Control Management System (TCMS).^[13][32] Testing of the first unit commenced on 17 March 2020, on the London Liverpool Street to Southend line.^[33]

Both the testing and production programmes were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic that took hold during 2020. On 8 June 2020, operational use of the Class 720 was formally authorised by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).^[13]

On 26 November 2020, the first two units started passenger service on the London Liverpool Street to Southend line.^[34]

On 16 December 2020, they started service on the Braintree branch,^[35] and on 23 December 2020, the Class 720s were rolled out on Southminster services.^[36]

In February 2021, it was reported that driver training had begun for their introduction to the Cambridge route.^[37] That same month, Ian McConnell, Greater Anglia's franchise and programmes director, noted that the Class 720 was already running relatively well and free of any meaningful technical issues, with challenges with the onboard software issues being the chief concern with the type's deployment at that point.^[13]

According to railway industry periodical Rail Engineer, Greater Anglia intend to gradually extend the new fleet's usage to eventually cover all of the Great Eastern routes in Essex and through to Ipswich during the first half of 2021, while the Class 720 would be introduced to the west Anglia route between Liverpool Street and Cambridge in the second half of the year.^[13]

On 23 March 2021, the 720s were introduced on the Liverpool Street to Clacton, Colchester Town and Ipswich services.^[38]

On 25 August 2021, Class 720s entered service on the West Anglia mainline and Hertford East branch.^[39] On 13 September 2021, the 720s started services to Harwich Town and Walton-on-the-Naze.^[40]

c2c

In December 2017, c2c announced an order with Porterbrook for six ten-car Class 720/6 Aventra electric multiple units. The new units are scheduled for delivery between mid and late 2021, meaning they will all be in service three years earlier than the initial planned phased introduction period.^[41] The first 720/6 was delivered to c2c on 19 April 2022, and the fleet was due to enter service in 2022.^{[42][non-primary source needed]}

The order was later changed to 12 5-car units. These new units were planned to replace the allocation of six four-car Class 387 units, which c2c was operating on a short-term lease.

On 6 October 2022, the Southend Echo newspaper quoted a c2c spokesperson as saying that "Our 720 class trains are currently undergoing rigorous testing. We will update our customers as soon as we have more information as to when they will be entering passenger service on the c2c route”.^[43] In March 2023, c2c's managing director confirmed in an interview that it was planned that the Class 720s would enter service later that year.^[44]

On 2 June 2023, it was reported that the new trains would come into passenger service in September.^[45] The first c2c 720s duly entered service on 27 September 2023.^[15]

Fleet details

The units resemble the Class 345 and Class 710 built for Crossrail and London Overground respectively. However, owing to the services that they operate, the Class 720s have a higher top speed of 100 mph (161 km/h), and have significantly more seats per carriage (and less standing space).

Subclass	Operator	Qty.	Year built	Cars per unit	Unit nos.
720/1	Greater Anglia	44	2018–2024	5	720101–720144[46]
720/5		89			720501–720589[46]
720/6	c2c	12	2022[47]		720601–720612

Named units

The following units have received special liveries or names.

Greater Anglia Class 720 units with special names or liveries

Unit number	Name	Notes
Named trains
Special liveries
720110		Celebrating Black History[48]
720506		Pride Livery[49]

C2C Class 720 units with special names or liveries

Unit number	Name	Notes
Named trains
720601	Julian Drury c2c Managing Director 2008-2020	[50]

References

1. Dunn, Pip (24 January 2024). "Adventure on a GA Class 720 Aventra". Feature Train Test. Rail Magazine. No. 1001. pp. 48–53.
2. "Greater Anglia yet to finalise Class 720 fleet plan". Headline news. Rail Express. No. 336. May 2024. p. 9.
3. "The distorted rolling stock market". Modern Railways. No. 900. September 2023. p. 38.
4. Fletcher, Steve (8 June 2020). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended – Authorisation of Class 720/5 – Unit numbers (inclusive) 720501 to 720589" (PDF). Letter to Paul Carter (Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2020/0033. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
5. "Numbers for extra 5 car units confirmed". Today's Railways UK. No. 227. January 2021. p. 69.
6. "Seats to be removed from GA '720s'". Modern Railways. No. 894. Stamford: Key Publishing. 22 March 2023. p. 83.
7. "c2c '720s' sets for autumn debut". Modern Railways. No. 898. July 2023. p. 14.
8. "c2c 720/6 to enter traffic this autumn". Railways Illustrated. No. 246. August 2023. p. 11.
9. Sherratt, Philip, ed. (2023). "ROSCO Fleets". Modern Railways: Review 2023. Stamford: Key Publishing. pp. 18–19. ISBN 978-1-80282-569-5.
10. "New c2c Class 720/6 EMU starts main line testing". Railways Illustrated. No. 233. July 2022. p. 8.
11. Bednall, Joe (June 2010). "A low impact commuter train". Rail Professional. No. 159. p. 27.
12. "Our Fleet - Class 720". Angel Trains. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
13. Dobell, Malcolm (15 February 2021). "New Trains in a Pandemic". Rail Engineer. RailStaff Publications. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
14. "GA shows off Aventra mock-up". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. 21 September 2017.
15. Banks, Ethan (27 September 2023). "c2c new trains enter passenger service this morning". Basildon Canvey Southend Echo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
16. "Greater Anglia reveals interior of Aventra commuter train fleet". Railway Gazette International. DVV Media International. 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
17. "On board a Greater Anglia Aventra". RailStaff. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
18. "Stadler and Bombardier to supply trains for Abellio East Anglia franchise". Railway Gazette International. DVV Media International. 10 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
19. Venna, Srivani (3 October 2016). "Bombardier to supply 665 Aventra trains for Abellio". Railway Technology. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
20. Clinnick, Richard (3 April 2017). "Greater Anglia seeks passenger views on new fleet designs". Rail Magazine. Bauer Consumer Media. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
21. Holden, Michael (8 October 2020). "Greater Anglia amends Class 720 order from Bombardier to increase flexibility". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
22. "The New Face of Rail in Anglia". Modern Railways. No. 818. Key Publishing. November 2016. p. 12.
23. "Angel Trains to finance Aventras". Rail Magazine. No. 811. Bauer Consumer Media. October 2016. p. 18.
24. "Angel secures funding to refinance Greater Anglia Aventra rolling stock". Rail Technology Magazine. Cognitive Publishing. 6 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
25. "c2c Signs major deal for brand-new British trains". Trenitalia c2c. 14 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
26. "Five-car Aventras for c2c". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. May 2021. p. 87.
27. Fletcher, Steve (19 October 2022). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended – Authorisation of Class 720/6 – Unit numbers (inclusive) 720601 – 720612" (PDF). Letter to Paul Carter (Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd d.b.a Alstom). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2022/0008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
28. @c2c_Rail (11 July 2019). "The Class 711 carriages are 4 metres longer then either our Class 357 or Class 387 carriages" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
29. @c2c_Rail (5 September 2019). "The 387s will be returned when the [Class 711]s come in to service. The 357s will be staying with us throughout" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
30. Briginshaw, David (21 February 2018). "Bombardier starts assembling Aventra EMUs for Greater Anglia". International Railway Journal. Simmons-Boardman Publishing. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
31. Barrow, Keith (13 September 2018). "Bombardier rolls out first Aventra EMU for Greater Anglia". International Railway Journal. Simmons-Boardman Publishing. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
32. Clinnick, Richard (5 September 2019). "Bombardier Class 720s to enter Greater Anglia service late". Bauer Consumer Media. Archived from the original on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
33. "Greater Anglia's new electric trains complete test run". Rail Technology Magazine. Cognitive Publishing. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
34. "Greater Anglia Class 720 Aventra EMUs enter service". Rail Business UK. DVV Media International. 27 November 2020. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
35. "New trains now in passenger service on Braintree line". London: Abellio Greater Anglia. 16 December 2020. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
36. "New trains now in passenger service on Southminster line". London: Abellio Greater Anglia. 23 December 2020. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
37. "New trains for Cambridge to London route a step closer as driver training starts". ITV News. ITV Consumer Ltd. 25 February 2021.
38. "New Greater Anglia trains on more new routes". London: Abellio Greater Anglia. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
39. "More passengers in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire enjoy new trains". London: Abellio Greater Anglia. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
40. "New Greater Anglia trains on new routes". London: Abellio Greater Anglia. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
41. Briginshaw, David (14 December 2017). "Britain's c2c franchise orders Aventra EMUs". International Rail Journal. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
42. "🎉 Here's a sneaky peak at one of our brand new trains. One has arrived at our depot from the factory today, this 720 will be used for training and will be coming into passenger service later in the year. Keep your eyes peeled, you may just see it out and about!". @c2c_Rail. Retrieved 27 April 2022 – via Twitter.
43. England, Sophie (6 October 2022). "No date in sight for new speedy c2c trains to replace 'outdated' carriages". Southend Echo. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
44. "c2c aims to punch above its weight". Modern Railways. No. 895. March 2023. pp. 59–61.
45. Marius, Callum (2 June 2023). "The brand new c2c trains set to transform travel in East London and Essex that we got a sneak peak of". My London.
46. Clinnick, Richard (January 2024). "Lack of orders puts Litchurch Lane at risk". Rail Express. No. 332. p. 14.
47. "60 Class 720s now accepted". Today's Railways UK. No. 243. May 2022. p. 67.
48. "Greater Anglia celebrates Black History Month". Greater Anglia. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
49. "Greater Anglia unveils special Pride livery train". Greater Anglia. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
50. "Stock Update". The Railway Magazine. No. November 2023. p. 97.

External links

• 360° interior visualisation