HS2

Andrew Gwilt   07/06/2017 at 20:43

Class 745 EMU and Class 755 EDMU (Bi-Mode) Stadler Flirts to be built for Greater Anglia. Both of these trains will be 100mph (161km/h) with 60mph (120km/h) on local branch lines. Plus they will have all the features including Wifi, USB plug sockets, toilets, onboard passenger information display, air-conditioning, seats, lights, interiors, flip-up seats and easy access walk-through passageway. The Class 745 EMU Flirts will operate on West Anglia, Great Eastern, Stansted Express and Intercity routes. The Class 755 EDMU Flirts will operate on West Anglia, Great Eastern and Regional routes that are not electrified in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and parts of Essex including the Sudbury-Marks Tey line. With brand new Norwich-Stansted Airport and Lowestoft-Liverpool Street services.

Lutz   07/06/2017 at 21:53

From what is shown, I am actually happily impressed for a change. It is nice to see some Swiss design on the UK railways, but it is a shame the seats do not align with the windows, and that there appears to be a step-up to some of the seats at the end of the carriage.

Andrew JG   08/06/2017 at 08:25

I so cannot wait to see these brand new trains to be used on all lines and services across the Greater Anglia network in the next few years. Class 720 Aventra EMU and Class 745 EMU & Class 755 Bi-Mode Flirt rolling stocks to replace the old rolling stocks. Such as-Class 153's and Class 156's DMU's that could end up going to GWR, EMT or ATW. Class 170's Turbostar DMU's that could be cascaded to London Midland, GWR or Scotrail. Class 317's EMU's to be cascaded to South Wales or possibly scrapped along with the Class 321's (or some of the Class 321's could be transferred to Scotrail (re-classified as Class 320's)). Class 360's Desiro EMU's could be cascaded to South Wales and/or Northern (to operate on Doncaster-Leeds route) or Heathrow Express or to be scrapped and Class 379's Electrostar EMU's that could be cascaded to Great Northern to work alongside the Class 387's or to be used elsewhere.

Jim   08/06/2017 at 08:31

"These new trains will feature seats and interiors" I should hope they do!

King's Lynn   08/06/2017 at 09:31

Yes, they look quite pleasant don't they? Makes a change from hard floors, rock hard seats and stark lighting. I know that might be easier to maintain/clean but... *sigh* Also, is there an echo in here...? ;)

Chris   09/06/2017 at 12:03

With our current political and economic climate, should we not be concentrating on buying British built trains?

David Croydon   09/06/2017 at 14:56

Can you not revise the design so that seats DO align with windows.With so much glass area this should be simple, possibly by changing the of flip-up seats? Also is there ABOVE-SEAT lighting of some kind?

Foaming Stoat   09/06/2017 at 15:36

In response to Andrew J G(wilt) "Class 153's and Class 156's DMU's that could end up going to GWR, EMT or ATW." They could do, but 153s won't be PRM compliant and won't be much use, and as for the 156s, only EMT operates those, but why would they want more when 170s are becoming available. "Class 170's Turbostar DMU's that could be cascaded to London Midland, GWR or Scotrail." Hardly likely, when GWR don't operate any and ScotRail is sending loads of its Turbostars off lease. "Class 317's EMU's to be cascaded to South Wales or possibly scrapped along with the Class 321's (or some of the Class 321's could be transferred to Scotrail (re-classified as Class 320's))." To operate under the well known Welsh OHLE obviously; all ScotRail's 320 needs are being fulfilled by other means. "Class 360's Desiro EMU's could be cascaded to South Wales and/or Northern (to operate on Doncaster-Leeds route) or Heathrow Express or to be scrapped and Class 379's Electrostar EMU's that could be cascaded to Great Northern to work alongside the Class 387's or to be used elsewhere." Northern already has an agreed fleet strategy so none of this will be happening. HEx owns its own fleet so why would it scrap that and lease from someone else, expensively. It won't be happening.

Lewis C   09/06/2017 at 18:14

As other people have said, seat alignment with windows is important. I for one like the design of these new FLIRTs and would love to travel on them when they enter service. Does anybody else think that the nose overhangs the first bogie by quite a lot? Oh and I'm pretty sure this comment section is for comments (surprise surprise) and discussion - not idiotic speculation and quoting facts that are unnecessary to the post - nudge nudge Andrew

GW   09/06/2017 at 20:12

One set of doors per coach is unwise. Just think of the extended dwell times. They wanted to do that on the mark 4's but it was rejected on evacuation times, if I remember correctly. Station dwell times are so much more important now though.

Simon Eames   09/06/2017 at 23:49

Really like the cool designs. The Stadler or Class 745s should have a maximum speed of 110 to 125 mph not 100 mph.

Andrew Gwilt (NOT Andrew JG)   11/06/2017 at 09:16

@Foaming Stoat. You might aswell call me a annoying troll. Idiot.

Roger, Sheffield & Glossop   12/06/2017 at 07:54

Chris, you can't go for a UK manufacturer when both Bombardier, Derby, & Hitachi, Newton Aycliffe, are already running into capacity problems. Hence the Bombardier / Hitachi joint bid for "New Tube for London".

Scottie   12/06/2017 at 11:40

These trains look quite impressive from the mock up. Will they be the first truly Articulated Passenger stock to run on Mainline Services in the UK ? Am not sure why it has taken so long and the reluctance for articulated trains to be ordered for the UK as they have long been well established and running in mainland Europe. I wonder why articulated units were not considered for Crossrail / Elizabeth Line, London Overground or even the recently introduced Gatwick Express. In my humble opinion I question whether on set of centre doors per carriage is suitable for the Stansted Express Service, having recently travelled on both the Heathrow and Gatwick Express's and see how Passengers ( Not Customers ) behave when boarding with luggage !

Pwt   13/06/2017 at 12:12

Scottie, the Class 373 Eurostar trains are articulated being TGV derivatives. I think they count as main line trains and are probably one the best riding trains to operate in the UK.

Keithw   16/06/2017 at 12:57

I remember seeing articulated trains on BR more than 50 years ago. The earliest ones I know of were Gresley's "Quad Art" sets in the 1920s. The APT was also articulated.

Russell   21/06/2017 at 15:12

One entry point per carriage! Dreadful. Looks like less seat and more standing as if we need that!

Duncan Jack   21/06/2017 at 22:04

Are these trains to be made in Poland?

J, Leicester   29/06/2017 at 15:10

Am I the only one that thinks those interiors look really cramped? I'm calling it now - these units will be a step-down in ride quality and comfort from the Mk. 3s.

Nigel Fisher   15/11/2017 at 16:14

I'd say that Greater Anglia has missed an opportunity here to introduce new trains that gave a sense of luxury and comfort. Instead we have a bland interior with little imagination. Seriously mock wood veneer in 2018/2019, how to date an interior before it's even left the factory! These trains are obviously being fitted out on the cheap unlike the cost of my season ticket.