Bombardier steps up production of Aventras

CONSTRUCTION has started on the first Greater Anglia Class 720 Aventra at Derby Litchurch Lane.

Bombardier is building 89 fivecar and 22 ten-car electric multiple units for GA, with the first due to be delivered in the spring. The first ‘720s’ are due to enter traffic the following year.

Meanwhile, work is progressing on the Class 345 order for Transport for London, with ninecar 345025-027 undergoing tests at Derby on November 24.

These EMUs were the first Aventras ordered, with 70 trains to be delivered. So far 345005013/015/016 are at Ilford, with eight in traffic. It is planned 11 will be in service by the end of the year.

Bombardier spokesman Will Tanner told RAIL that the company’s next target is the start of Phase 2 of Crossrail in May. This is when Class 345s replace Class 360/2s on the Heathrow Connect trains from London Paddington, with the latter transferring to TfL Rail. Meanwhile, testing of a ‘345’ in the Central Tunnel section of Crossrail is due to start before the end of the year.

Tanner said that there will soon be five production lines at Derby for the Aventras, with each line able to produce four or five vehicles per week.

Peak production will be towards the end of next year, with trains for GA and South Western Railway being constructed, along with the final Class 345s and the final Class 710 LOTRAINS for London Overground.

He explained that the first ‘710’ was undergoing testing, and is expected to be launched early in the new year, ahead of testing in London. It is due to enter traffic on the Gospel Oak-Barking line.

Additionally, the first South Western Railway Class 701 will be delivered for testing in early 2019.

Tanner also said that the final West Midlands Trains Aventras will be delivered in 2022, with the first trains released some two years earlier.

For the future, he confirmed that Bombardier is bidding for both

c2c and Southeastern contracts. RAIL understands that the c2c trains will likely be six ten-car sets, while Aventras will also be offered as a new-build option for the Southeastern franchise.

Bombardier has also had overseas interest for the Aventra product, although Tanner declined to comment on which countries are involved. He said that these enquiries included both electric and bi-mode versions.