More Class 710s arrive in London

London Overground 710264 was delivered to Willesden on January 24.

The four-car dual-voltage Class 710 was built by Bombardier and is the eighth to arrive in the capital.

The trains were due in traffic last March. However, delays caused by software issues, mainly around the Train Control Management System (TCMS), have prevented their introduction.

This has caused LO and Transport for London major problems regarding the provision of trains for the Gospel Oak-Barking route, as the existing diesel fleet is due to leave for West Midlands Trains by mid-March.

LO hopes to have Class 710s in traffic from mid-March. So far 710261-267/269 have been delivered to London, with 710256260/268/270-272 to follow.

Rail Operations Group 37611 Pegasus and 57312 cross Harringworth Viaduct on January 25, hauling London Overground 710264 from Old Dalby-Willesden. The four-car electric multiple unit is the eighth of 54 Class 710s delivered to the capital. They should have entered traffic from last March. JOHN RUDD.