This week saw the introduction of new longer trains along the busiest route on the Greater Anglia network between Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge.
The new state-of-the-art trains built in Switzerland by Stadler have 3 or 4 carriages. They will replace the existing 1/2/3 carriage trains currently on the route used by over 1 million passenger journeys a year.
Trains will continue to be introduced over the coming weeks replacing all the old trains. The new trains have improved accessibility, free wifi, air conditioning. They also have more seats as well as plug, USB sockets, and passenger information screens.
Powered by diesel and electric these new trains are much greener than the existing trains
Greater Anglia are replacing all the trains on their network, with the rollout starting back in July. New trains are now in service on the Norwich to Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cambridge and Sheringham and Ipswich to Felixstowe lines.
What did the officials say?
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said:
“The Ipswich to Cambridge route is our busiest regional route.
“We were really keen to introduce longer trains on the route as soon as we could to improve our customers’ journeys.
“We are now offering intercity quality on a regional service – ideal for people travelling to work, school, university and for leisure.
Martino Celeghini, technical project manager at Stadler, said:
“These new trains, with their ability to switch seamlessly between electricity and diesel, are highly suited for routes such as this one.
“As it becomes ever more important for business and government to help combat climate change, I am pleased that the trains we are producing for the Greater Anglia network offer an environmentally sustainable solution for travel.”
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Responses
These had been promised for about 4 years. Overdue one person passed out on one of the overcrowded trains the day before these were introduced. But glad it is at last is happening
*ASDO (Automatic Selective Door Opening)
The Gainsborough branch line (Marks Tey-Sudbury) is also due to introduce the Class 755 Bi-mode Flirt trains coming in to service at some stage.
The issue with these trains is that the platforms at Kennett and Elmswell railway stations are too short but the good thing is that they will have ASOD (Automatic Selective Door Opening) software to be installed. So that the driver can operate the doors at Kennett and Elmswell stations that have shorter platforms.