Greater Anglia has announced that the first brand new Swiss trains has now arrived in East Anglia.
The four-carriage bi-mode train will run on regional lines across their network. It arrived in the UK this morning and was hauled by Class 66 66002.
The train will now undergo a programme of testing around the network before it is passed as ready to go into service.
All of the trains will have plug and USB sockets, fast free wifi, air conditioning, accessible toilets, wheelchair spaces and bicycle spaces.
All of the new trains should all be in service by the end of 2020.
What did the officials say?
Ian McConnell, Greater Anglia Franchising and Programmes Director said:
“It's so exciting to see one of our new trains here in East Anglia. I'm sure people will be impressed when they see it – it is very different to our existing trains.
“People will be able to see for themselves that we really are transforming the railway in East Anglia.
“Over the next few weeks, we'll be taking delivery of more of these trains so customers will see them around and about our stations. I'm afraid they're not in service yet – we need to carry out lots of tests to make sure they complete all of our standards for safety and performance before passengers can use them.”
Ralf Warwel, UK sales director at Stadler, said:
“The arrival of the first Greater Anglia train on British soil is a highly symbolic moment, both for the project and for the Stadler business. We've made no secret of the fact that we are keen to make headway in the UK market. This order placed two years ago was our first major contract for passenger trains, paving the way for subsequent orders with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Merseytravel, and most recently, for Wales & Borders.
“These new trains, all of which are FLIRTs, one of Stadler's most popular and versatile products. They rely on state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly technology and feature low floor and level boarding, vastly improving the customer experience. We are delighted to have reached this significant point in the project, which brings the trains one step closer to passenger roll-out next year.”
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If only it could run on time and have enough seating so we dont pay to stand
Saw a unit yesterday en route to the UK pass through my hometown of Konstanz. (Germany)
Lovely looking machine
First ever Greater Anglia Class 755 Bi-mode Flirt has arrived in Norwich to do test runs. Amazing.
I live in Essex. And I can’t wait to see these new trains in service. That will replace the older stocks that are due to be replaced. Including the Class 153, Class 156, Class 170, Class 90 Mk3, Class 317, Class 321, Class 360 and Class 379.
Class 745 will be operated on Stansted Express service
I live in Essex. And I can’t wait to see these new trains in service. That will replace the older stocks that are due to be replaced. Including the Class 153, Class 156, Class 170, Class 90 Mk3, Class 317, Class 321, Class 360 and Class 379.
Class 745 Stadler Flirt EMU will be operated on Stansted Express service between London Liverpool Street-Stansted Airport. And London Liverpool Street-Norwich.
Class 755 Stadler Flirt Bi-Mode will be operated on all local rural services in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Including Norwich-Sheringham, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Ely, Cambridge and Peterborough and Ipswich-Felixstowe, Lowestoft, Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket, Ely, Cambridge and Peterborough. As well on the Marks Tey-Sudbury Line in Essex.
Class 720 Bombardier Aventra EMU will be operated on London Liverpool St-Colchester, Ipswich, Clacton-on-Sea, Southend Victoria, Braintree, Witham, Manningtree, Harwich Town, Southminster and Walton-on-the-Naze Great Eastern routes. And London Liverpool St-Cambridge, Cambridge North, Ely, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford East and Stratford-Hertford East & Bishop’s Stortford West Anglia routes.