Greater Anglia releases images of first bi-mode FLIRT from Stadler
The first Stadler bi-mode FLIRT trains for Greater Anglia should be ready for testing in March. The first unit will then arrive in the UK this autumn, and is expected to enter traffic in May 2019.
Stadler is building 14 three-car and 24 four-car FLIRTs in Bussnang (Switzerland), and 20 12-car Class 745 electric multiple units.
No routes have been confirmed for their introduction, but eventually they will be used on Norwich-Great Yarmouth/ Lowestoft/Sheringham branches, and Lowestoft-Ipswich, IpswichCambridge/Peterborough routes. The Norwich-Cambridge service will be extended to Stansted Airport, and Lowestoft-Ipswich trains will be boosted by four through trains to London Liverpool Street.
On January 26, GA released images of the first bi-mode unit off the production line in Switzerland. The bodyshells were manufactured in Stadler’s Hungarian facility, and are to be fitted out internally before being placed on articulated bogies.
They form part of a £1.4 billion deal for 1,043 new vehicles on GA, with Stadler building 378 vehicles and Bombardier 665.
GA Managing Director Jamie Burles said: “We’re very excited about our new trains. When you see photos like this, it’s possible to imagine what an amazing change to our customers’ journeys these brand new trains will make. There will be more seats. Everyone will be able to plug in their mobile phones or laptops, with fast free WiFi on every train.
“This is part of the transformation of the railway in East Anglia. By introducing high-quality new trains, offering more convenient and more reliable journeys, we hope to make train travel even better and our customers’ lives a little easier.”
However, stabling and servicing remains unclear, with a final decision on the future of the planned depot at Brantham due in the next couple of months.
Work is also about to start on modifying Norwich Crown Point, with Taylor Woodrow contracted to carry out the work. Facilities to enable the manufacture of Controlled Emission Toilets are to be built on a headshunt that will create space in the depot for remodelling. Roads 16 and 17 are to be lengthened, while the depot buildings are to be modified for the new trains.
Work has also begun on clearing sidings at Great Yarmouth. GA is responsible for stabling the ‘legacy’ fleets being replaced, and plans include stabling at Great Yarmouth while the Victoria Sidings at Trowse (near Norwich) and the Wensum Sidings at Norwich Crown Point will be brought back into use. Neither these nor the Yarmouth carriage sidings have been used this century.
A RAIL source confirmed that GA is looking at a number of sites to store trains, most likely redundant Class 317 and ‘321’ EMUs that are perceived to have no future. The source suggested that while sites not currently railconnected are being considered, there is also even the possibility that heritage railways could be used.
Decisions regarding platform extensions for the new trains remain to be finalised. GA spokesman Jonathan Denby said: “We have options, but none are taken.” He said that in the next few weeks, decisions will also be made regarding the necessary power supply upgrades.
Denby added: “December 2019 is meant to be the introduction of the new timetable. We will consult on that from later this year, starting in the spring and summer.”
He confirmed that the Stadler EMUs for Stansted Express are likely to be the last new fleet to be introduced, as the Class 379s they replace are fully accessible now, whereas other trains being withdrawn are not.