Features unveiled on Greater Anglia’s new trains

LED lighting, underfloor heating and anti-trap doors are just three features that have been revealed for Greater Anglia’s new commuter trains.

Greater Anglia will be getting 111 Class 720 trains from Bombardier, the first of which is set to enter passenger service in 2020.

The new trains are longer, with more seats than the outgoing trains – the seats of which are designed specifically for Greater Anglia to maximise comfort for passengers.

Many of the train seats are fitted with fold-down tables, with special grooves to make it easier to prop your tablet or phone up – handy for those passengers catching up on TV or films whilst travelling.

The seating design leaves room for luggage or stretched out legs.

Two wheelchair spaces per each five-carriage trains mean plenty of room. Additionally, there are 48 priority seats for less mobile passengers. Each wheelchair space includes a plug, USB socket and a small coffee table.

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Passenger information screens, or ‘PIS’, give clear information in each carriage and provide useful information for passengers, such as onward travel options.

Trains feature no doors between carriages, making it easier for passengers to walk down the train, which also makes some passengers feel safer, says Greater Anglia.

The LED lights and ‘PIS’ dim and brighten depending on outdoor conditions, saving energy and providing ambient lighting for passengers.

These new trains are equipped with air conditioning, and they are the first trains in the UK to be equipped with underfloor heating.

Unlike the trains that they replace, the new trains have four bicycle spaces per train.

Not one, but two toilets feature per five-carriage train, including one accessible toilet. All the waste is then collected via a tank and not released onto the tracks.

Every set of doors has a feature to stop items like bags and straps getting trapped when a door closes. The doors automatically open in order to free the item, but after three attempts, the doors will open completely.

The trains are 40% lighter than previous trains and feature regenerative braking which delivers the energy back into the supply, rather than wasting energy.

Ian McConnell, Greater Anglia franchise and programmes director, said: “It’s been very exciting to see these new trains in action and experience all of the brilliant features which will improve our customers’ journeys. We’re still able to make a few minor tweaks to the design to make them as good as they can be. I’m confident that passengers will find them a big improvement on the old trains they are replacing. We can’t wait to get these new trains into passenger service and complete our transformation of our railway with the wholescale replacement of every single train.”

Will Tanner, Bombardier UK Communications Director, said “Greater Anglia have specified a cutting edge British-designed and built AVENTRA train packed with innovative passenger features. We are all working hard to get them into service as soon as possible.”

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