06.06.17
Greater Anglia’s revamped Class 321s set to enter passenger service
Greater Anglia’s newly refurbished Class 321 Renatus rolling stock is being prepared to enter service for passengers very soon, boasting a number of features that make the carriages more modern and energy-efficient than before.
The operator launched the new trains at the end of last year and now the refurbished rolling stock is being phased into service for passengers.
Commuters in Essex and Suffolk will soon enjoy a smarter, greener more comfortable ride once the 321s are rolled out from Greater Anglia’s Ilford Depot where final checks by engineers are taking place.
The new trains use AC motors rather than DC versions, making them more reliable and also adds regenerative braking to the rolling stock, meaning that the motor can work as a generator when the brakes are applied, as its kinetic energy is turned into chemical energy which can be stored in a battery and later used to power the train.
This is an innovation that will cut the train’s energy use by 18%, as well as a further 8% less energy thanks to the more efficient AC drive motor. These efficiencies mean the trains generate more power than the unrefurbished Class 321s, but can be run with less energy.
The Class 321 Renatus is the result of several years’ work between Greater Anglia, the rolling stock operating company Eversholt Rail and the equipment supplier Wabtec Faiveley who partnered up to rework the train.
The interiors are also fitted to have more space for passengers, air conditioning and heating, better lighting, new flooring, as well as ceiling and windows to ensure a more comfortable passenger experience.
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia’s managing director, said: “This upgrade is one of a series of improvements Greater Anglia is introducing over the next three years, and will transform our passengers’ experience and also allow us to reduce our carbon footprint.
“These enhancements will then be followed by the transformation programme to replace our entire train fleet with brand new, state of the art trains during 2019-20.”
Last October, Abellio finalised contracts worth over £600m to procure and finance new Stadler Flirt trains as part of the new East Anglia franchise. It came days after it emerged Angel Trains would be financing the £900m deal to purchase 665 Aventra EMU cars from Bombardier, which will serve mainly suburban routes into London.
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.