Greater Anglia's New Class 720 Trains

More new trains are out and running on the network! Bombardier who build the 'Aventra' family of trains have supplied some in the form of Class 720's to run on Greater Anglia. The first units are now in service running between Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria, so I went to take a trip on one ...
Accessibility note - whilst they had TWO excellent large accessible space on the trains (and toilet) they don't have level boarding like the Stadler units to, manual boarding ramps are still required.
Eventually, these types of trains 720's will be in service on route Witham - Braintree, Hertford East - Cambride - Kings Lynn, Wickford - Southend - Southminster, Colchester - Clacton on Sea - Walton on the Naze, Manningtree - Harwich, Ipswich - Stowmarket - Norwich.

[@joermnyc]

“Change for the Elizabeth line...” Well... you could, but you may be waiting a while.

[@dennisjeffs4239]

Joe R M Change here for the Elisabeth Line, next train 2023 !!

[@robfcgaming1947]

Crossrail not E word

[@emporioalnino4670]

cross eliz purp rail

[@Thetrainandbusenthusiast]

@@robfcgaming1947 its actually called Elizabeth line and its also called crossrail

[@neilcrawford8303]

"Change for the Elizabeth Line". Why, does the Elizabeth Line have a strict dress code?

[@trickygoose2]

Doublet and hose are compulsory.

[@stthecat3935]

🤣

[@iaw7406]

Cos its the queen or something idk

[@yardriapublica6493]

The underfloor heating is really nice for all people traveling bare-foot

[@danarnold7466]

Who would do that 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 lol

[@manlikeskllz]

xd

[@rotordave81]

Could you please elaborate on the details of the breakfast stain? It's very important to me as I'm a stain-spotter.

[@stephensaines7100]

lol...must admit, I wondered on that too...but lucky for him it was on his shirt, not further down.

[@rotordave81]

@@geofftech2 That's going right in my stainspotter copybook! I prefer brown sauce.

[@alextoft9199]

😅😅😅

[@Keithbarber]

@@stephensaines7100 if it was mayonnaise on his trousers - *HIGHLY* suspicious

[@pwhitewick]

Tell me someone else noticed the end of your indoor edit bit finished with the clip that the sequence then went into!?? Sliiiiick.

[@adlam97531]

I’m glad they kept Julie Berry as the voice on these . Hoping they will venture on to my branch line soon

[@Boopop1024]

Thanks for covering the cycle storage space Geoff 🥰🚲

[@CityWhisperer]

The corridor between seating really does seem tight. It seems to me like they wanted to fit as many seats as possible. The power plugs are also awkwardly put exactly where you would put your leg. And it’s a shame, because it’s a beautiful beast of a train.

[@stellwyn]

Thanks for the subtitles! I appreciate your commitment to accessibility, it really sets you apart from other youtubers 😊

[@pj100565]

Lovely, Geoff. I must revisit Sarfend! Never mind about the elbow test - I’m more aghast that a video about a 720 lasts for 7:19. Thought you might have edited in an extra second! 😂🤣😂

[@ZDtue]

Paul Johnson ... at 7:09

[@melissavredline1264]

Mine states 7:18, so 2 seconds short..

[@shoestompergingerjon9300]

and where's Sarfend???... cos i'd like to live there...

[@robfcgaming1947]

@@shoestompergingerjon9300 Essex

[@aaravsgaming337]

Oof, I thought 7:19 was an actual timestamp lol

[@davidoliver1169]

Another hugely enjoyable video Geoff. Excellently put together as always.

[@hesterclapp9717]

It was only yesterday I was down in Liverpool street visiting Bures and that was my first time on a class 321 (and I'm glad)

[@timothyleberl1202]

Fantastic video as always Geoff, keep up the great work!

[@trainsonthebrain]

No elbow test. You’ve changed! 🤣 Looking forward you catching some of these new units, pleased Greater Anglia taking some much customer/passenger feedback on board. Lucky to have them running in our region!

[@ianmcclavin]

"Old cronky trains??" I can remember when the 321's were brand new (and the first episode of 3-2-1!!). Suddenly I feel really old...

[@r00tyschannel52]

Same. Although I was at school at the time. But still, I remember it clearly.

[@NSE465]

They're old and gronky.

[@hesterclapp9717]

When were the 321s new?

[@ianmcclavin]

@@hesterclapp9717 Around 1989/90.

[@bb-3653]

@@NSE465 their still elite haha

[@hojomo]

Great "edutainment" in 3-2-1 Geoff-style! Big Thank You 🙂 We will come to the conclusion that "bigger trains" = "more space" = "safer to travel on". Congrats Bombardier!

[@BelugasAreCool]

Yay a review on my favorite train! Thanks for sharing the video.

[@HenrysAdventures]

I'll look forward to seeing the Class 720 in service! I saw some at Southend Victoria back in October during a Dusty Bin bash and got the nice surprise of two class 37s on the rail head treatment train at Southend Victoria! The juxtaposition of the class 37 and class 720 was fantastic!

[@joesos]

RIP Class 321. The Breeze is the future!

[@bfapple]

@@AndrewG1989 Why do classes matter so much?

[@Jackwylde68]

@@bfapple they're changing the propulsion so they need to reclassify. The 600s run on hydrogen rather than overhead like the 321.

[@thegreateasterntrainfan3121]

Hi Geoff, I was on the very first one of these in service and had a chat with the manager of bombardier, manager of GA and the manager of the Southend Victoria line, Alan Whyld. Very enjoyable video, I have to admit its quite tight inbetween the seats in the walkway down the middle but they are nice and cosy. The elbow thing is very important and I did it myself and was very satisfied and nearly missed my stop because I nearly fell asleep with my arm in that position

[@shoestompergingerjon9300]

What date was that?.. guess the're ready and waiting for me then.... will try one out tomorrow.

[@espkav]

Fun project to work on! Bombardier have done a good job with the interiors manufacturing them to the industrial designers vision.

[@Railgear]

this is amazing, a massive upgrade for GA area!

[@mathewnicholls5539]

Really enjoy your videos, your knowledge is incredible ✌🏻

[@travelswithjess]

Fantastic video as always Geoff, big fan of your videos!

[@danielgch2]

I was a regular commuter on Greater Anglia during Rush hour in pre-covid times. Its nice to hear that when I start commuting again I may be able to get a seat. Even when the trains were 12 carriages it was very hard to get seats the whole train was full including standing space.

[@vongodric]

Nice trains, but I HATE 3+2 seating arrangements. Always so cramped.

[@danielboulton98]

@FatAngryWhiteMan everyone used to on southeastern trust me

[@allie-873]

I personally prefer 2+2 arrangements, but that said on the Belgian network we have the luxury of having double deckers on high demand routes

[@neilcrawford8303]

I was looking at how Geoff's left shoulder when he was seated was over the centre seat. Two "Geoffs" on seats 1 & 3 would not leave any practical or useable space on the centre seat. But hey, it makes for good statistics for Greater Anglia. I wouldn't be surprised if they included the toilet in the seating statistics. I still think SWT 455 modernisation and seating layout showed how it could and should be done with 2 + 2 seating.

[@stephensaines7100]

As an extension to the (gist) "More seats overall by eliminating First Class"...I wonder if there's a limit to that survey result as to 'where the extra seating manifests'. I suspect given the option, even those surveyed and answered for more seating, 2+2 seating with some standing would be the preferred option? I know I'd rather stand than be shoehorned into those tiny seats, and I'm slim!

[@mikerowland4717]

If I understand correctly from video they are reducing from 12 cars (3x4) to 10 cars (2x5) which presumably is why high density (e.g. cramped) seating being used so the TOC can claim extra seating capacity created.

[@chandlerbstransport422]

Looking back I really really miss the music in these older videos, the new ones dont feel right without them

[@nzd3742]

As Limmy notes in his hour-and-a-half-long analysis of 3-2-1, Ted Rogers couldn't do the hand thing either.

[@essexmainline8578]

Great video!! I Saw one of the 720's at Rayleigh after only being i Service for a few days. Incredible information about the train and its features

[@shoestompergingerjon9300]

saw one 2 days ago, then tried to board it... in a rush to wickford.

[@arsenalfeet]

Just learning to drive a variant this train. Very technologically advanced. A brilliant train.

[@londonbuses2937]

Nice one Geoff!

[@Bigbro28]

After watching several of these videos I now find them compulsive viewing. Glad I subscribed. 🐨🇦🇺

[@NOMADCREATIVESOLUTIONS]

I really like the front end design of these, the 701 look great also.. nice stuff

[@thomv5833]

Usually I would get on any train from London Ipswich. Now I make sure to get on one of these. So much nicer.

[@JCF072344]

Have you ever interviewed the woman who does the destination announcements? Very clear enunciation.

[@arfski]

Julie Berry, I think...

[@chiefstain]

Fantastic video as always. The breakfast stain is a great piece of genuine honesty =)

[@aluckin]

Can't believe it Geoff !!, no mention of the Network SouthEast colours on that roof support as the train was pulling out at the end of the video lol

[@DavidPowell1970]

Informative as per usual. Keep up the good work. 🚄🚃

[@Sim0nTrains]

Very nice video of the Class 720 train, seen some on test in the Midlands but haven’t been on one yet.

[@QWERTUP101]

Congrats on 200k!

[@Mousehole-Rail]

They look amazing and would love to see them

[@BRI535D]

When passengers were surveyed I am positive they meant longer trains with more seats not 3+2 where 2+2 should be.Shame.

[@robertsmith4830]

I've commuted in to Liverpool Street for the last 20 years and, apart from a couple of months when the old slam-door trains had a last hurrah, the seating has always been 3+2. So for me there hasn't been a difference. It'll be interesting to see if passenger numbers return to pre-pandemic levels, because at the moment I often have three seats to myself in the morning "rush hour".

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

awesome video those train seats looks nice and comfy i hope one day i can have a ride on one

[@brooklyntrainspotting8464]

I love the fact that the the class 321 and the new class 720 are next to each other on the platforms!

[@gh1851]

The sound of the doors closing sound very similar to the Crossrail purple trains, and the Overgrounds 710s. Love the sound of a door closing 💙💛

[@fenlinescouser3898]

As one door closes another one..........

[@fenlinescouser3898]

?opines

[@TheDaf95xf]

Great stuff Geoff 👍🏻

[@AlfieLangdale2638]

Have a merry xmas, its great.....AS ALWAYS!!! you are the best train youtube nerd ever!!!!!

[@curiousmatt]

Woooahhh. You're in the video, editing the video. Mind. Blown.

[@ZDtue]

Matt Daniels the CEO of Patreon does it a lot

[@unknown_legendxunknown_leg2222]

Great to see the 321 next to the NEW 720 next to each other! So fantastic!

[@shihanthetrainspotter]

Ikr it’s so good to see thing together thing is I don’t like that because they replaced the 321s

[@91007RailwayVideos]

Great video as always. Had my first ride on Saturday must say was Impressed . The room between the seating was a bit tight .

[@benjaminturner5613]

I remember the old ones when I was in Glasgow

[@TheDoctorWhat586]

The class 720s look absolutely stunning, the PA sounds amazing (despite it also being in the toilet which is very odd lol), but other than that, I LOVE THEM!

[@Farleigh1050]

it is in the toilet so you know to stop peeing when you are arriving at your station

[@WestRail642fan]

5:37, nice use of my 720 diagram

[@espaciobarra]

Nice work there, man.

[@lrp_745]

wow, your diagrams are amazing!

[@bfapple]

Nice of him to credit 😉

[@robfcgaming1947]

Great work

[@andrewholloway231]

Looks like a nice train. Underfloor heating ... nice.

[@ArthurTK26]

What a great video! It might be a cool idea some time to go back to the TFL Acton depot. It’s really cool and I’d be fascinated for you to talk about some of the things in there with another expert. I met you at teh Acton depot a couple of years ago when you did the talk at the open day and it was very fun. Keep up the amazing videos, I’m absolutely loving them 😄!

[@CPTrains]

Nice video Geoff! I found one myself and it had that new smell to it.

[@shoestompergingerjon9300]

make the most of the 'new' smell, will soon smell of 'bleached' carpets.

[@georgecudmore3312]

Just want to say I love your videos Geoff. I would love to one day feature in one of your videos. Keep up the good work and stay safe!

[@jakartaharpman]

Yes - I was waiting for the Geoff Marshall Elbow Test! Looks as though you were too busy running around looking at seating configurations, and forgot to actually sit in a seat😅

[@samhorridge4550]

Awesome video 👍👍

[@creativedlc]

Lovely Cameo voice of Greater Anglia in there...

[@jacobporrett]

They look very nice. Must try them at some point.

[@jordanstrains618]

I think when I go Shenfield maybe I might go on that hope I do it’s amazing train in the world thank you for sharing

[@KingOuf1er]

A minor correction: South Western Class 701s come in two variants: 701/0 are TEN carriage units, and 701/5 are five carriage. Also the CrossPurpEliz line trains are, at least now, in both 9 and 7 car versions.

[@dryroasted5599]

I've never been to London or seen their Underground, but I just noticed outside of the platform area, the tunnels seem to be lit up. Not so dim and sinister looking. Nice!

[@allyreneepenny9447]

Beautiful 👍

[@collectivelyimprovingtrans2460]

A couple weeks ago I saw the 720s in service on the GreaterAnglia service chart on Wikipedia. The 2 videos before this also involved GreaterAnglia.

[@nickyruso2786]

Love your videos Geoff

[@ehg319]

I've watched some of these being hauled by 2x 47s down the MML!

[@ehg319]

1 year later I have come to the conclusion that these are absolutely rubbish

[@DuppyYou]

Currently on one of these 720s, just done the elbow test and can confirm it has successfully passed!

[@journeysofjames1116]

Oh, I see you've managed to mind the 720's. Nice

[@alanreader4815]

Bombardier Paris. Sounds like a Shampoo Geoff. Looks really nice

[@Mr3213215]

1:07 - What a beautiful voice.

[@Hondoo]

Hi Geoff, great video as always, not surprised you were hot, did you notice how many layers you had on,lol.

[@yosolo5797]

If you frequent the southern end of the WCML, you'll often see Bombardier trains moving around....saw one of these at Rugby the other day, as well as a 172 bizzarley heading South towards Milton Keynes

[@TheParkanyi]

State of the art features... you mean leaning to each others' shoulders in a 2+3 seating, where even 2+2 is considered narrow? 🤣

[@TheSpotify95]

Yeah I wouldn't recommend 3+2... The old Class 360s, which EMR will be inheriting, were previously used as 3+2s, though EMR will give them a full refurbishment including changing the seating to 2+2. IMO, 2+2 is th minimum acceptable seating - especially when operators like EMR have 1st Class seating which is 2+1.

[@kapage74]

I can't wait for these to get on the Clacton line

[@FK-qh3mm]

Yes u can thos recycling bins can stay on the southend line...

[@kapage74]

@@FK-qh3mm why so negative? We never get new things in Clacton, so until proven otherwise, I'm going to try and stay positive about this

[@shoestompergingerjon9300]

just another few more days now... 3rd january.

[@Memorex62]

Nice video as usual. One correction: the Class 701s are 60 x 10 cars and only 30 x 5 cars. They also have underfloor heating.

[@samjone9359]

I saw a pair class 47s with 720 554 in November going through Bedford going on the Marston vail line to Wolverton works

[@kierangallagher491]

It’s strange seeing you on my local trains Geoff.

[@silksaintxli]

In the summary of the Aventra types, you listed Class 701 for South Western as 5-car trains. They're actually taking both 5- and 10-car variants, and it's the 10-cars that are being delivered first.

[@jamiehawker7345]

Nice video

[@ernestsinje8693]

NICE TRAINS

[@trueblue5567]

Weyyyy I am from hockley and now live in Rayleigh! Happy days

[@johnbrown9588]

@@AndrewG1989 & @True Blue Small world, I'm from Ashingdon.😁👍 I'm also a big fan of @heldvomerdbeerfeld 's channel he lives in the same village in Austria where I once lived.

[@evileyeball]

I love Bombardier, They made all the fleet for the Expo and Mellenium lines on SkyTrain and then the province had to go with a different type of train and manufacturer for Canada Line for some reason.

[@GuyArab]

I think the below seat power plugs should have been installed the opposite way (so they would look upside down) as any cable would then be straight up from the plug and not having a curl on it, which could get in someone’s way and also become damaged.

[@ellebarron7112]

Can't wait to see the c2c version!

[@shoestompergingerjon9300]

they was showcasing them the other day, seen it, at Shoburyness.

[@duranduran20133]

Omg your in my town 😍👻 Southend just got popluar

[@john_smith1471]

I really like the new Greater Anglia trains coming into service, I think the refurbished 321 trains are very nice, but whatever design, I do anything to not sit in a middle seat.

[@michaelpilling9659]

That willmake the journey to SOS much nicer. Will the Fenchurch line be getting them too? Super informative film Geoff - thanks so much for posting it.

[@chrissymessytransit]

Cool fact about Bombardier: The company began operations in the city of Montreal. (Headquarter are also there) They are a huge part of the Toronto Trading Stock (The Canadian wall street)

[@gpan62]

The seats look tight, even for pre-covid conditions. If you take a survey of course most people would say to get rid of first class since the majority don't use first class. Having said that, first class probably doesn't make economic sense for the operator. Also, when people say they want more seats I don't think they realize what that would mean. Do people like the middle seat on airplanes?

[@ItzChaza]

umm no they know exactly what it ment seeing as these units directly replace units with 3x2 seating...

[@MathewODonoghue]

Seen the 701 on rest runs in godalming, they have been on running to haslemere

[@croydontransport7738]

Nice one mate and also I’m new

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

I think they were built at Alstom? Fantastic video as always Geoff

[@-MapEnthusiastjj4eu]

I love the music 👍👍

[@Ron_TTE]

I have noticed that other train manufacturers only think about people being cool during the summer. But bombadier has throught of winter which is great!

[@robfcgaming1947]

My local station is Southend Victoria :)

[@shoestompergingerjon9300]

and that's also my local too.

[@robbiemorrison7085]

Can’t wait to see these replace the 317s too, hate the new door chimes on them

[@Draavo]

Nice! :)

[@JuliosStuff]

hey there draavo from the draavo youtube channel

[@fr0785]

Hi Draavo! Didn’t expect to see you here lol

[@dannydanny9875]

Excellence!