Stadler unveiled its first Class 755 bi-mode unit at the Innotrans trade show in Berlin on September 20.
The four-car BMU (755405) will be one of 38 used by Greater Anglia and financed by Rock Rail.
The Swiss firm is building 58 new trains, that will enter traffic next year. Stadler will also maintain them at Norwich Crown Point.
As well as 38 BMUs (14 three-car and 24 four-car sets), there will be 20 12-car electric multiple units (ten for expresses and ten for Stansted Express).
The new trains have 20% extra capacity and feature low flooring to make them accessible for people in wheelchairs and with pushchairs.
Thomas Ahlburg, group chief executive of Stadler, commented: “The contract awarded two years ago was our first for intercity and local trains in the UK, and we are immensely proud to be showcasing this state-of-the-art new vehicle, together with our partners, Greater Anglia and Rock Rail. More than half of the new trains will be bi-modes, underscoring our commitment to finding ever greener solutions to power trains and cut CO2 emissions.”
Jamie Burles, GA managing director, added: “It's exciting to see the first completed train from Stadler. We're very much looking forward to these trains arriving in East Anglia, where they will play a key part in revolutionising and modernising the railway in our region. We're confident they will transform our customers' journeys, offering them a new level of comfort.”
- For more on the Class 755s, read RAIL 862, published on September 26, and available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle on September 22.
AndrewJG8918 - 21/09/2018 19:50
Why wasn’t the GA Stadler Flirt Class 745 EMU been showed at InnoTrans 2018 in Germany. And only the Class 755 was only there on display. At least both of the Flirt Class 745 Electric & Class 755 Bi-mode fleets along with the Bombardier Class 720 EMU flirts will soon be in service from next year. Which will replace the entire Greater Anglia fleets (including Class 153, Class 156, Class 170, Class 90 Mk3, Class 317, Class 321 (including the Class 321 Renatus), Class 360 and Class 379 rolling stocks) to be cascaded elsewhere in England or to be transferred for storage.