16.04.18
First new Greater Anglia train takes shape
Work is well underway on the first brand new fleet of Greater Anglia trains in production at Bombardier’s Derby factory.
Greater Anglia is replacing all of its trains, with 111 of them being built by UK-based Bombardier.
Two production lines are being set up and carriages from the first Class 720 Aventra train are in various stages of assembly.
The new Bombardier trains will be used for commuter services into London Liverpool Street from Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
Jamie Burles, managing director at Greater Anglia, said: “It’s brilliant to see our brand new trains taking shape. We’re confident that they’ll make a big difference to customers travelling by train in East Anglia.
“These new trains will be more comfortable and reliable, helping us transform the railway in East Anglia.”
Malcolm Brown, chief executive of Angel Trains, the company procuring and financing the vehicles, added: “We are delighted to see this fleet of Class 720 Aventra trains being assembled at Bombardier’s Derby factory.
“The £900m deal we signed in September 2016 to procure these new vehicles, one of the largest private investments into rolling stock in the last 20 years, will greatly increase capacity across East Anglia and significantly improve passenger experience.”
A Bombardier spokesperson said: “The first train for Greater Anglia is shaping up nicely at our Derby facility, and we are proud to be playing our part in helping transform the railway in East Anglia.”
In addition, the current intercity Stansted Express and rural line trains will be replaced with 58 trains being made by Stadler, Switzerland.
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