Testing under way on Stansted Express Class 745s EMUS…

Testing of the first 12-car Class 745 electric multiple unit for Stansted Express began at Velim in the Czech Republic on September 3.

Built by Stadler in Bussnang (Switzerland), the Class 745/1 will be used for type-testing ahead of entering traffic from the middle of next year.

Stadler is building 20 12-car Class 745s for Greater Anglia - ten for Stansted Express and ten for the Great Eastern Main Line. The first set has completed its initial testing and commissioning at Stadler’s own facility in Erlen (Switzerland).

Meanwhile, testing of the various Stadler trains for GA continues across Europe. As well as the 20 Class 745s, the Swiss manufacturer is also building 14 three-car Class 755/3s and 24 four-car Class 755/4s. These bi-mode units were unveiled in May ( RAIL 853), and will be used on rural routes.

Testing of the trains is under way in Faurei (Romania) and Halle (Germany), as well as at Velim and Erlen. GA spokesman Juliette Maxam told RAIL: “Each site has its own area of specialism, and carrying out testing simultaneously at several places means that production can be undertaken as efficiently as possible.”

Maxam said that the first ‘755/4’ will be transported to the UK in either late October or early November, with the exact date still to be confirmed. The first ‘745’ will arrive early next year (this will be a Stansted train).

“These dates could change slightly, depending on the outcome of the type-testing carried out in other test centres,” she added.

“Once in the UK the trains will undergo further testing and commissioning, as well as training and familiarisation for all Greater Anglia employees, for a number of months, before they are due to start entering passenger service in the middle of 2019.”

A Class 755/4 (755405) was due to be displayed at the Innotrans trade show in Berlin in midSeptember.

GA has also signed a deal to store the Stadler-built trains on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, ahead of their introduction into traffic (RAIL 857).

Meanwhile, two Class 720 Aventras have been completed at Derby Litchurch Lane, where Bombardier has a contract to build 89 five-car and 22 ten-car EMUs for GA. These enter traffic in the first quarter of 2019.