24.06.16
First GTR Class 700 enters passenger service
The first new Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Class 700 train has successfully entered passenger service.
Unit 700108, one of 55 12 carriage trains, made its maiden voyage at 10.02am on 20 June and carried out four off-peak trips.
It then made nine trips on Tuesday, helping mitigate the effects of services cancelled due to the Southern conductors’ strikes.
Gerry McFadden, GTR’s engineering director, said: “We are thrilled that our new Thameslink train is performing well. In future, as the train continues to prove itself, we will begin running it across London to Bedford.”
The Class 700s can hold up to 1,754 passengers and will be in operation across GTR’s network by 2018, helping to meet growing passenger demands.
RTM will feature a full profile of the new Class 700 in our latest edition, due to be published in July.
(Image c. GTR)
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