Post-delivery, testing and stabling issues to be resolved

Around 20 new Stadler trains will be in the UK by next summer, ready for their introduction.

“One of the things we want is the Lowestoft through service. That was one of the reasons we want the bi-mode trains first,” Greater Anglia Joint Project Manager Steve Mitchell told RAIL.

The plan is to first remove examples of the current fleet that are not fully accessible to all passengers. This would be the Class 153s and ‘170s’, as well as the Class 37-hauled ‘short set’ of Mk 2s.

Mitchell told RAIL that the BMUs will enter traffic first, with the electric multiple unit fleet not far behind.

Deliveries should be one or two trains per week. All will be delivered to Norwich Crown Point, which Stadler has taken over.

Testing is already being planned. Mitchell explained: “A large part is Norwich-Colchester - that is the farthest we go. There are also Norwich-Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. There will be faultfree running, too, even after the commissioning. NorwichCambridge will also be a route, and that will test the bi-mode capability.

“A large part of the testing will be done by ourselves, but Stadler will help and SNC-Lavalin is also involved.”

Mitchell said that a lot of work is ongoing with Network Rail, ahead of the introduction of the new trains.

“We’d like to transition on the move, but at the moment that is not possible. We are looking at 19 different transition locations.”

Stabling the new trains and storing the older fleet is also an issue.

Greater Anglia’s planned new depot at Brantham remains on hold, and Mitchell said: “We are looking at a lot of different places for stabling - Wensum Triangle, Victoria Sidings, Parkeston Quay… lots of places are being looked at, but the plan is not fixed.”