The New C2C Class 720 Train

[@Newarks]

Can we just appreciate how fresh the (not so) new Elizabeth, Overground, and Greater anglia trains look like and now the c2c joins in

[@smokeyeyes__]

The overground livery fits the aventras like a glove. It looks so good!

[@typlays48]

Guess that explains ur profile

[@theowainwright7406]

They are nice but I miss being able to open the windows :(

[@ChoobChoob]

@@smokeyeyes__ And the Roundel on the front. *chef's kiss*

[@rafasha2222]

@@ChoobChoob best part of the entire train

[@shavedphil]

When I first moved to Basildon in the late 1970s I'm sure the service then had the oldest carriages anywhere on the UK!! C2C has continually improved which is fantastic. ❤

[@Vanmanyo]

I like the 720s but the large amounts of 3x2 isn't amazing sadly. The 730s look better as they are 2x2, but the 720s are way more modern of course than the 357s.

[@bishwatntl]

One problem with 3 plus 2 seating is when they don't put spacers between the seats and the shoulders and hips of passengers are pressed together rather uncomfortably. That leads to people spreading out into the gangways or leaving the middle seats empty.

[@MannyAntipov]

​@@bishwatntl The Desiros - 450 in particular - are infamous for 3 by 2 seating, something that SWR failed to address them during their refurb a few years back, which is baffling to me.

[@peterelvery]

Sydney suburban trains have 3x2 seating but they are 10" wider!

[@oforid2227]

i swear they said they only had 2x2 seating and not 3x2

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

I couldn't believe how narrow 3+2 seating was when I rode Greater Anglia. I couldn't even walk straight down the aisle and I'm quite slim. In Ontario we have 2+2 on local trains or in Economy, and 1+2 in first class, and our trains are much wider than yours

[@EdwinWalkerProfile]

I travelled between Liverpool Street and Southend on Greater Anglia not long ago. This train seems uncannily similar but with magenta accents. We had an incident with a malfunctioning door at Prittlewell where the next train took us a few stops on the wrong track before crossing back over. Pretty neat.

[@georgiavost1434]

I regularly commute on Greater Anglia but due to strikes I occasionally have to do on C2C. The biggest con of the old trains is the lack of charging sockets. That made greater Anglia so much easier to go on.

[@wizardaka]

Greater Anglia is a lot more expensive though isn't it?

[@europejski2492]

@@wizardaka it is more expensive, but it's not THAT much more expensive! Besides, some people working in London definitely can afford it!

[@robertsteinman4417]

@@wizardaka C2C and Anglia are the same trains,litrerally look at the inter-car wiring

[@neeha9449]

8:50 About the light indicators for the sensors in the toilet, the Caledonian Sleeper actually has it! At least for the seated class as I rode them recently (29/5/23). Quite a nifty feature that really helps you to guide without randomly waving your hands there!

[@taipizzalord4463]

Yeah that is awesome such attention to detail. For me it cancels out the 3+2 seating.

[@nickalliker6219]

Another great video Geoff. This is my local line into London from Southend; the train upgrade looks great. And, with my flat overlooking Southend Central, you can see my flat window in your platform piece to camera between the two train carriages. Hope you enjoyed Southend ☀️. Keep up the great content👍

[@davidwatt7663]

Big Step up from the First Gen EMU’s, I Road to school every day Upminster to Thorpe Bay. 1966 -1973 👍😊 nice video thanks 🇬🇧

[@johnmurray8428]

Oh Southend on Sea, a great day out. Cockles and winkles, fish and chips, a Mr Whippie ice cream and a walk down the pier! Happy memories, thank you Geoff.

[@rikufryderyk]

Must have been such an exciting day! I can't wait for the new stock! It looks amazing and so modern :)

[@MatStuff]

​@@TamworthTheOfficial he is the

[@Random_Officiality]

Are you local to c2c, also I love your vids :D!

[@YASIN01038]

Me too 😁😊.

[@YASIN01038]

​@@Random_OfficialityRoku I think lives in East London at Snearsbrock.

[@Spacebug111]

I saw some of these a year ago, passing through Milton Keynes on test, I also saw it through Wolverton, I like the livery of their trains, not many operators have magenta on them!

[@caramelldansen2204]

People in the North: "Wow I wish the railway still came to my town!" People in the South: "Wow new trains for the 10th time this year!!!"

[@andrewreynolds4949]

More like the same trains delayed for the 10th time in a year

[@GreenJimll]

Dunstable has entered the chat....

[@tlantis]

*cries in Chiltern*

[@richardfurness7556]

People on the Durham Coast line: "Can you give us trains with more than two carriages on Saturdays because there's still only one an hour and they're often so overcrowded that at some stations they won't let passengers board."

[@ChristopherCurtis-f9p]

You forgot the elbow test Geoff 😂 I love watching your videos, particularly when there is a new train out and about.

[@JRushbrooke]

As someone who used to commute everyday on c2c and now commutes on greater anglia this change was long overdue. Glad to see they’ve done it. Great video!!

[@inwinters1011]

Those red lights in the toilets are now common on all Regiolis and Regio2n / Omneo Premium trains that SNCF has received in France since 2013. Most likely a same supplier for both Bombardier and Alstom, which are now one.

[@michellebell5092]

Good to see you back and an excellent subject, new C2C trains . And a new part of Fenchurch St too.

[@stevelang3171]

glad to see you in good humour Geoff! keep 'em coming man. nice train! wish i was there to ride them (usa). glad to see Phil again as well. i've missed the crawling along the floor! Lol m

[@geofftech2]

hadn't done a floor crawl for a while - it was about time! totally forgot to do an elbow test though, Doh!

[@harry_stw7424]

Yay it’s so great to see your local line featured in a Geoff Marshall video. Can’t wait for the new trains.

[@dukeofdevon5608]

Wow what a lovely train to have on the c2c line. I used to travel regularly on there when they had the 302’s and 312’s slam doors. They always had a certain charm about them

[@petersmith4455]

so why have we got these ghastly new ones ? 302s much better

[@ashleyjiscool]

Seats be like 18301950>1970>1980>1990>2000>2010>2020

[@srrk2508]

​@peter smith If c2c were running 302s to this day half of them would have exploded by now, not to mention the asbestos safety hazard

[@ashleyjiscool]

@@srrk2508 but they could have done a 455 swr move

[@pcackett91]

Remembering the rather lengthy introduction of the 357 units, I hope these are much smoother entry into service. Indeed my first "trip" on a 357 didn't go anywhere as it broke down in Thorpe Bay station! I always like to consider the opposing ends of unit life as well to see the big change in fleets over the years. Consider that the 357's now mix with the brand new 720's, but on introduction they mixed with classes 302, 310, 312 and 317! Similarly the new retired 321's have mixed with the latest 720's, but also with historic classes 305, 307, 308, 309 and 312.

[@Gez-C]

Great looking trains and lots of attention to detail

[@GojiMet86]

The Aventra family are really aesthetically pleasing to the eye, both on the outside and on the inside. From the looks of it, the Aventra will basically be this generation's Electrostar, a new workhorse across the network.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

It was indeed designed as the successor to the electrostar

[@Clicksystems]

If you go on Elizabeth line their trains are bit of both, aventra with electrostar operating system

[@rbybus4363]

Hi Geoff, The "touchless sinks" where LEDs navigate you for water/soap/dryer can also be found on board PKP Polish Railways ED250 "Pendolino" high-speed trains manufactured by Alstom between 2011 and 2014. They look exactly the same. Actually I had a moment of wonder when I noticed those two "emergency lights" that can be seen at 1:32 above your head. I knew I have seen them somewhere before and yup - they can be found also on "Pendolinos" (I connected the dots after you presented the toilet sink). BTW - Mr Rob Mullen seems like a very friendly guy - this is how the Managing Director should be! ;-) I hope you find my comment useful. As always, thank you for a fine video Geoff! 😁

[@Dog1818YT]

i’ve seen the touchless sinks on northern trains as well

[@SpeedStrengthJames]

Always nice seeing the interior so fresh. I do hope the seats are more comfortable than the Elizabeth line ones. Got back ache from those.

[@timothyleberl1202]

Excellent video as always Geoff, in my own opinion the 720s are the best Aventra family of trains by quite a mile, I cannot wait to see these fresh units in service, keep up the awesome content 😁

[@smokeyeyes__]

I love that I'm so sick of the Hitachi A-series trains being everywhere and yet I still get so excited at seeing the Alstom Aventras everywhere. Goes to show the difference a good train can make!

[@RCPlaneBuilder2005]

1:47 9:17 Hello there Hammerstrict and City line (Hammersmith + District)

[@SilverScroll]

I really enjoy the candid perspective from the driver. Employee working conditions are extremely important!

[@transportfilmerhitachiat200]

They looks stunning and finally have them seen in c2c London area now, hope they get in service soon, can’t wait to try

[@IowaTrainGay]

First it was Purple Train and now it's Pink/Magenta train! 😍 And those windows remind me of the Southern Pacific's Shasta Daylight! So big! So much light!

[@lordfusion2438]

I feel really old now ! i used to work on the old 310, 312 and 302 units back in the day of the misery line. nice to see some new stock and cannot beleive fenchurch st station looks exactly the same as it was 25+ years ago apart from some newer seating on the platform !

[@Goofymonke-m9t]

For me i live in upminster and my nan lives in basildon and we only just got a car in 2021 and all ive got to say is that the 357 class has served our country well

[@Bchan]

8:50 The Belgian (SNCB/NMBS) M7 train carriages have the same red square where the sensor is. They're also built by Alstom/Bombardier

[@SelkentScania472]

Wouldn’t be a Geoff Marshall video without a bathroom shot😂 These 720s seem nice as well!

[@peebee143]

Nice moquette, Geoff, but everybody is fitting those bone-hard bloody seats these days. Had a ride on the '38 LT stock from Acton Town to Heathrow and back to Northfields today. Decent, comfortable seating with springing and upholstery! And a nice, fresh moquette re-covering!

[@QPRTokyo]

Thank you. I am always happy to see the new trains in the UK. I know the train services will never reach the level here in Japan😜but they are getting closer. Great video, thank you.

[@byronsbrain]

These are gorgeous! I really hope we get them on the Tilbury line.

[@Deanrwp]

Hi Geoff, another great video from you, it is about time we got the new C2C Class 720 Trains, as it has been a long time coming, they look so much better then our current outdated trains, we have been waiting absolutely ages for these, as they promised the other year we would get these lovely new trains, but nothing come of it, I for one is really looking forward to trying these new trains out, especially my son who is a train enthusiast! Many thanks for sharing this great video Geoff! 👍😊

[@sonadagothalus]

So surreal, I do audits for the DfT and have to inspect those 720s on GA week in week out so love seeing your fascination with exploring every inch of the train. The 2x2 and 2x3 seating is a change from the 720s on the GA fleet though so nice to see them being tweaked between TOCs

[@conradknightsocksknight1590]

Years ago I was on a commuter train from Chelmsford to Liverpool Street. But when we got to Stratford the driver said that Liverpool Street is closed and our next stop will be Fenchurch Street ! Never happened again and never knew the link existed.

[@thedongaming9994]

Hey Geoff, I'm pretty sure I saw one of the trains going across the bridge crossing the high street shortly after C2C announced that they would be getting them!

[@ndhunter84]

Another great, interesting and informative video. Been watching your videos for a while now and gotta say you certainly have a talent at making videos fun and interesting to watch. The three dots in the toilet are a really useful feature and certainly wish more toc’s would implement this as I struggle to get them to work sometimes 😅. Noticed you didn’t ( or forgot ) to do your elbow resting on the window ledge test 😂. Anyway, cheers for another great video always enjoy watching them 👍😃.

[@geofftech2]

Much appreciated, thx!

[@exsandgrounder]

Love the magenta livery! My favourite colour since seeing it written above the number 3 on the ZX Speccy keyboard- and even had a bicycle resprayed in RAL 4010.

[@trainsarethebest2241]

These trains look so good, although i havn't been on c2c in ages, but these look really nice

[@stepheneyles2198]

1:50 - glad to see that Geoff isn't the only person grovelling on the floor of the new trains!! Thanks for this intro - don't imagine I'll ever travel on them but if I do I'll know what to expect ;-))

[@Emily_20095]

Great to see new trains on the c2C! Much needed upgrade and great video too!

[@Speedster-jw7qx]

Loving the colours on those seat lets just hope that they aren't as bad as those found on the 387s and 80x series of trains

[@LisaSargent03]

I can't see the 10-car trains going on the Stanford-le-Hope line (Tilbury loop) I've even heard that we could be going back to 4-car electro stars with the new timetable.

[@joshyboi1020]

I just love coming home from school and seeing geoff has uploaded another video.

[@jayemare]

This is wonderful. I love your passion

[@elnido4184]

May be they can order more just like the Elizabeth line has with its trains to keep Derby Litchfield Lane ticking over, as there had been a huge lack in otders recently meaning big job loses. Great Video Geoff.

[@lisakaz35]

The best guests are always featured here. TYVM.

[@Sarahbryson321]

Seen these on testing in Northampton.

[@hughs591]

Very interesting video, the trains look really nice and I wish we could have those toilets on our (still nearly brand new) GWR Hitachis where, in contrast, the loo floor is always soaking because of the very poorly designed sink and it's difficult to judge where to put ones hands for water, and soap, etc, to be dispensed . . .

[@neuralwarp]

My big bugbears are ▪︎ intrusions into the seating space ▪︎ "one size fits all" moulded seats ▪︎ human driving ▪︎ over engineered door handles

[@milehighclassics]

Love the fact you can see out the windows

[@scottgallagher4792]

Remember the 357's being introduced from 1999 when it was still called LTS rail but they soon settled down.

[@richardneale246]

Hey Geoff, calm down mate !!!! 😂😂😂 Why would you need full length mirrors in the toilet ???? No, I don't want know !!! 😮😮😮😮😮🥴🥴 Great video, love your enthusiasm.

[@andyt2510]

The 730's are not yet in service with West Midlands (3 cars running in multiples replacing the 323's and providing extra capacity) or LNWR (5 cars replacing the 350/2's) however they are due to come online soon. At least in London where they are going to replace the 319's on the Abbey Flyer (if Wikipedia is to be believed!) In a flip to the situation on the C2C service, where you can walk between trains on the 357 with it's end gangway connections missing on the 720's, the reverse is going to be true on the Cross City Line in the West Midlands as the 730's will have gangway connections, something which the 323's lack.

[@ListerDavid]

Hello from the Tilbury branch line of the Fenchurch-Southend line. I may have to go down and look out for the new 720s.

[@zaphod4245]

I wonder when SWR will finally get their 701s into service, they're seemingly permanently delayed

[@Pez1979]

I use these trains all the time on the Lea Valley line between Liverpool Street and Hertford East, they are much better than their predecessors both on the aforementioned line and the Southend Service, however - I find it difficult to walk the train with the two and three seat configurations (in the same carriage), they're just too close together and leave very limited space, especially if you have a large bag or luggage, it's even worse when said seats are occupied!

[@rowanmorgan457]

Sockets! It has sockets, my precious!!

[@SRV777]

Class 196 WMR has the red Lazer in the toilets aswell and I believe the WMR 730 does. I remember having a look inside the interior and checking the toilets out.

[@KieronQuinn]

I think Northern's 195s (and presumably 331s) have them too, which would make sense given they probably have the same setup as the 196s. Might be a new thing they all do.

[@guillaumemaurice3503]

Thank you for sharing the video Geoff that was very interesting and great information.

[@elainebezuidenhout162]

Thank you fir all the nice videis. Its amazing to see all the different trains and stations. We dont have a transport systym like yours.

[@marting4042]

Nice choice of the colour you cannot physically see - your brain creates magenta. Interesting that your media event was assigned its own policeman. Deep windows are good provided they are also UV limited. It's always nice to experience that new train smell.

[@andrewphillips9391]

357 as the "old trains", makes me feel old!

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Nice Geoff the colour scheme is rather reminiscent of the old GWR dynamic lines don't you think ? Come to think of it the pinkish hue and the large windows are a hark back to the HST. Hope these are at least as comfortable ,unlike the 800s

[@FrenkieDe0]

Love look of the new 720 Looks Great!

[@ZebraMan74]

Saw one of these trains yesterday, the exterior looks good

[@F_L_U_X]

I really wish people were this polite and enthusiastic where I live...

[@ChoobChoob]

This is the perfect train for a trip to the seaside! If there's 6 of you, you can actually use a bay of 6!

[@wizardaka]

I was hoping you'd do a vid on this - thank you!!!

[@norbitonflyer5625]

two years late and still not in public service......... Is there any Aventra class that did enter service within even a year of its scheduled date? (The wooden spoon must go to the 701s for SWR - already four years late and still no sign of any of them entering service during the current timetable)

[@rjc0234]

I'm glad that, even though trains no longer need yellow noses, livery designers still include them.

[@mdhazeldine]

These will be nicer than the 357s, but I have to say I prefer the Flirts over the Aventras. At least with GA, the Flirt seats are way more comfy.

[@ace-paidinfull5240]

Absolutely love the pink edition for c2c😍

[@Greatwesterntrainspotter]

Amazing video mate Geoff

[@54northca]

No elbow on the window ledge test? Standards are slipping ;)

[@MiniforceRailfan]

Seems like the C2C Family Got Their New Brother!

[@SwitchbackSylveon]

Every operator except Southern seems to be getting new trains

[@Creek4lifers]

0:16 be are new weather person 😂 I love C2C I went Southend today they get there quick I love your vids

[@peterwalton1502]

The C2C line is great ⚒👏

[@Victorflange]

It’s not exactly a difficult franchise to run. Totally self contained but they still manage to cock it up regularly

[@NOMADCREATIVESOLUTIONS]

Really great front end design, nice open feel to the carriage, hope they dont end up in multiple cause currently we have none corridor stock running in multiple in the north and the TFW trains with corridor conections running singly, go figure.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

Part of the design of these is the individual units are longer than their electrostar predecessors, so trains will be made of 2 units in multiple instead of 3

[@5toCanningTown]

Great timing, Geoff! I saw it too!

[@HenrysAdventures]

Looking forward to a trip on one of these having seen them running around the the WCML for the last year or so on test.

[@everlonging3207]

@Philip Sherratt and exactly, thank you for being honest! 3x2 seating means you are either knocked at head height by other passengers, or to avoid being hit, you are constantly leaning your head towards the other seated passenger. 3 X 2;seating doesn't work with modern-day adults.

[@bluewizard]

I hate the 3x2 seating. I live on the Hertford East line and getting on and off these trains when it's busy is really difficult. The Isle is so small. Nobody ever sits in the middle seat. Why did they think this seating arrangement was a good idea?

[@ace-paidinfull5240]

3:54 aint been southend central ir Victoria in ages, and i miss the old navy blue livery on the 357. Also now both southend stations run the same class of train⭐️

[@davidaarthur]

The purple interior reminds me a bit of the 175s when they were new.

[@JohnADoe-pg1qk]

I have nothing against magenta (Deutsche Telekom might see it differently 😁), but as a color for the handrails I find it takes some getting used to.

[@WolfmanWoody]

You didn't do the elbow test by the window! 😁

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

The Magenta of C2C does appear lighter as the colour for the Metropolitan line, which has sometimes been denominated as "Magenta". However, C2C's is indeed close to the Corporate colour of Deutsche Telekom (inc T-Mobile), which is Magenta. How does Thameslink call their colour? Cause the C2C Magenta does indeed seem a little like the Thameslink (highlight) colour.

[@adampeacock8867]

So c2c have rebuilt Barking Station and have new trains coming. And yet my home station (a c2c one at that) still remains a building site

[@GenialHarryGrout]

Geoff didn't do an elbow test but the window ledge does look wide

[@samuelclarke2987]

Looking forward to this one

[@sarahwiththetrains]

Those new trains look awesome! Especially loving the pink...erm I mean magenta 😂

[@allabouttrains5867]

Hi geoff how are you brilliant video cant wait for these trains even though im not from there can you let me know when your coming to wales because id like to be a wales correspondent brilliant video keep up the good work❤

[@Nooticus]

Great video, but really looking forward to the Heart of Wales line series... soon hopefully!?