Latest Rail News

11.08.17

Greater Anglia unveils more images of bi-mode and intercity FLIRT trains

Greater Anglia has today given passengers a glimpse at what the brand new trains that will operate on its intercity, regional and Stansted Express services will look like.

The computer-generated photos show more detail of what the FLIRT trains being delivered by Stadler will look like in action, such as on track and coming into stations.

The operator is looking to replace every train running on its network with brand new trains, which will come into service from 2019.

In particular, one picture (below) shows how the bi-mode regional train, which can operate using diesel of electricity power, will look like next to an intercity train at Ipswich station.

FlirtUK EA Integration Ipswich sttation 4k sRGB

These will be used for branch lines services from Marks Tey to Sudbury, Norwich to Sheringham, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Cambridge, Ipswich to Felixstowe, Lowestoft, Cambridge and Peterborough, and the direct service from Lowestoft to London.

It also follows a public consultation into the design of the plans, which asked passengers to give their views and priorities for the design of the new trains.

The huge overhaul will cost £1.6bn for 169 new trains – a total of 1,043 new carriages, with 58 of these being made by Stadler and the rest being constructed by Bombardier in its Derby plant.

FlirtUK EA  four car bimode BMU 3k sRGB

Mock-up of the four car bi-mode rolling stock

Greater Anglia’s managing director, Jamie Burles, said: “We’re very excited about our new trains. They’re part of our transformation of the railway in East Anglia. They will enable us to provide a nicer travelling environment and more seats, as well as faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys.

"By introducing high-quality new trains and better journeys, we hope to make our customers’ lives a little easier.”

Top Image: Intercity FLIRT train. All images courtesy of Greater Anglia. 

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Comments

Andrew Gwilt   11/08/2017 at 10:19

But why one door both sides on each carriage. That's not going to ease the flow of passengers alighting and boarding the train at each station. At least they will replace the older rolling stocks used on the regional services, Great Eastern services and West Anglia services. Plus a new Norwich-Stansted Airport service that will soon begin (possibly operated by Stansted Express) once the Class 745's EMU and Class 755's Bi-Mode Stadler Flirts have been delivered. Along with the Class 720 Bombardier Aventra EMU's.

J, Leicester   11/08/2017 at 10:53

The one door design will probably be sufficient out in Anglia, but the closer a stopping service gets to central London, the worse it will be. Nonetheless, the FLIRTS look like they'll be some of the best new stock to hit the network in a long time, as much as I'll mourn the passing of the 90s and Mk. 3s.

John Harding   11/08/2017 at 12:48

Not easy to tell from the photo..though if the floor height was very similar to the standard platform height it would be a real 'step-change'. London Underground managed to do that on its new rolling stock and 150 year old stations.Why not here too?

Andrew JG   11/08/2017 at 18:52

I mostly prefer the Class 720 Bombardier Aventra trains that Greater Anglia are getting. Bombardier have built the best trains in the UK and are continuing to build new trains.

Mr R Taylor   12/08/2017 at 07:31

Well overdue. 3hrs stuck on a broken down London to Colchester train last night. I'm expecting 2yrs of cost cutting on servicing of existing rolling stock will be loads of fun for passengers!

Essex Commuter   12/08/2017 at 13:32

Bet these new trains could also break down once they have been delivered. Just like the older rolling stocks. Yet again new trains are the future for transportation and new trains means more extra seats. Including during rush hour morning and evening periods.

Andrew G   13/08/2017 at 02:20

So here is the load down on what these new trains will be operated on. Class 720 Aventra EMU's will operate on: West Anglia suburban services between Liverpool St-Cambridge, Hertford East, King's Linn and Cambridge North. Great Eastern suburban services between Liverpool St-Southend Victoria, Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, Clacton-on-Sea, Harwich Town, Braintree, Witham, Southminster and Colchester Town and Essex local/shuttle services including Colchester-Colchester Town, Colchester-Walton-on-the-Naze, Wickford-Southminster and between Ipswich-Harwich Town. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_720 Class 745 Flirt EMU's will operate on: Liverpool St-Stansted Airport Liverpool St-Norwich (Intercity & Stopper) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_745 Class 755 Flirt BMU's will operate on: Colchester Town-Sudbury (as well Colchester-Sudbury & Marks Tey-Sudbury) Ipswich-Felixstowe & Lowestoft Ipswich-Cambridge Ipswich-Peterborough (via Ely) Norwich-Sheringham & Cromer Norwich-Great Yarmouth (via Acle and/or via Berney Arms) Norwich-Lowestoft Norwich-Peterborough & Cambridge (via Ely) Norwich-Stansted Airport (via Ely/Cambridge) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_755

Marco   13/08/2017 at 10:26

about only 1 door for side on every carriage: I suppose who think this is not enought have not observed that the flirt carriage are not long as normal carriage, is more short. even if 1 only door for side can seems to be not so good, usually this work fine for the others Flirt already in service. regards, marco.

SCOTTIE   13/08/2017 at 11:09

I welcome the introduction of smart new rolling stock. However one set of doors per carriage on Liverpool St / Stansted Express ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Really ! Has anyone in management observed how passengers board a train with luggage ? Just take a ride on the Gatwick Express or Heathrow Express and note how passengers ( not customers ) behave with bags. If this half baked design with one set of doors per carriage is actually introduced I predict Mucho delays on these new trains down to boarding / alighting difficulties ! What a complete waste of resources that must be down to an unrealistic and totally unsuitable design brief !

Pdeaves   15/08/2017 at 14:03

I know yellow fronts are not mandatory (if other criteria are met) any more, but why do all operators opt for black instead? These have black fronts, the proposed Merseyrail stock has black fronts, the Sheffield tram-trains have black fronts, class 345s have black fronts, the Transpennine 802 has black fronts. Can no designer show a bit of imagination and flair?

J, Leicester   16/08/2017 at 10:42

I think the black front ends are an excuse to reduce cleaning, Pdeaves - the dirt and insects don't tend to show up as clearly! Agree though - it's an opportunity for some tasteful liveries to show up. I'd love to see a modern take on the "whiskers" first generation DMUs started out with. Frankly, anything would be better than that vile livery proposed for the West Midlands.

Marco   18/08/2017 at 07:48

hi, i've made a mistake speaking about already in use flirt carriage with one only door for side that work fine, 'cause i referred to the start and end carriages (that really have one only door) and other stadler train similar to flirt whit one only door for side on every carriage; i don't know if they already exist, but i've not personal use experience about flirt whit one only door for side on every carriage. so i hope this doors/number choice from Greater Anglia is right calibrated in relation to specific service lines and people saturation

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