The Class 720 is part of the Bombardier Aventra family like the
Class 345 and is being built for Greater Anglia and c2c to replace a number of older electric multiple units such as the
Class 317 and
321. All units on order are five-car sets, earlier plans for a ten-car version were changed. The first Class 720s were built in late 2018. Originally it was planned for the Greater Anglia 720s to enter service in 2019 on services out of
London Liverpool Street though delays to testing and software issues pushed that back until November 2020.
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| Greater Anglia 720 548 at London Liverpool Street |
| Information |
| Number built: |
725 (145 5-car sets) |
| Built: |
2018- |
| Builder: |
Bombardier Derby |
| Motor: |
Bombardier traction system (25kV AC OHLE) |
c2c's fleet of 720s is due to enter service in 2022. The c2c 720s are classified
720/6, the Greater Anglia units are
720/5. Compared to other Aventra family EMUs like the Class 345 and
710, the 720 has a higher top speed and an interior better suited to longer distance journeys such as London to
Colchester or
Southend Victoria. They are the first units to be fitted with under floor seating.
 |
| 720 562 at Stratford |
 |
| 720 550 at Stratford |
 |
| Another view of 548 at London Liverpool Street |
