Transport for London unveiled its first Class 710 Aventra electric multiple unit for London Overground at Willesden depot on June 20.
The four-car dual-voltage EMU was then returned to Derby Litchurch Lane, where it was built by Bombardier, the following day.
The EMU (710261) is one of 54 on order.
The trains will be able to carry almost 700 passengers and will feature WiFi and USB charging points.
The EMUs will initially be put into service on the Gospel Oak-Barking route, which has been electrified following a lengthy delay.
The '710s' will replace two-car diesel multiple units, doubling capacity on the route in the process. Testing will start this summer, ahead of the trains entering traffic in the autumn.
Jonathan Fox, TfL’s Director of Rail and Sponsored Services, said: “We are now planning for the first trains to enter passenger service on the Gospel Oak to Barking route by November.”
Will Rogers, Managing Director of Arriva Rail London, added: “The London Overground is vitally important to the thousands of people who use it every day. This is why we are focused on continuously improving the travelling experience for our customers and working environment for our people. Our team has been working hard to prepare for the introduction of these new trains and we are really excited about the benefits they will bring in the long-term.”
TfL has said that after the initial eight sets are introduced onto the GOBLIN route, they will then be introduced onto the London Euston-Watford Junction route, a move which will release Class 378s for the East London Line.
- For the FULL story, read RAIL 856, published on July 4, and available digitally from June 30 on Android/iPad.
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AndrewJG8918 - 22/06/2018 22:29
The new Class 710’s that are to enter service from November this will be operated on various lines on the London Overground Network. Euston-Watford Junction (Replacing the Class 378’s to be transferred to East London Line). Romford-Upminster (replacing the Class 315’s and Class 317’s). Gospel Oak-Barking (Gospel Oak-Barking Riverside from 2021 and Replacing the Class 172’s to be cascaded to West Midlands Trains). Lea Valley Lines: Liverpool Street-Chingford via Clapton Liverpool Street-Cheshunt & Liverpool Street-Enfield Town (both via Seven Sisters or Edmonton Green) Replacing the Class 315’s and Class 317’s. North London Line: Stratford-Richmond Stratford-Willesden Junction Stratford-Clapham Junction West London Line: Willesden Junction-Clapham Junction Where Class 378’s operated on the North London Line and West London Line to be cascaded to East London Line. But some could be kept.
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Mike - 25/08/2018 08:59
Thanks for the info Andrew, i'm looking forward to the 710's and air con! I remember the introduction of the 315's in 1985 on the Enfield line. It was a big improvement on the slam door trains plus much smoother. A train driver i spoke to on our line thinks it will be spring 2019 before they appear on our line. Whenever it happens ir will definitely be welcome.
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AndrewJG8918 - 23/06/2018 01:08
Also I guarantee that Bombardier will build extra Class 710's including building 1 extra 4-Car 710 for on the Romford-Upminster branch line and extra 4-Car 710's for the Lea Valley Lines and Euston-Watford DC Line and extra 5-Car 710's for the North London Line & West London Line. To free up more Class 378's to operate on the East London Line and South London Line services.
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