The class 745/1 EMU train is one of the 58 new trains that Swiss rail-manufacturer, Stadler, is building for the Greater Anglia network. The fleet consisting of 12-car EMUs and 3 and 4-car BMUs are financed by Rock Rail East Anglia, a joint venture between Rock Rail, Aberdeen Standard Investments and GLIL Infrastructure and will be leased to Greater Anglia.
The arrival of the first of ten class 745/1 trains into London represents a highly symbolic landmark for the project. The new fleet, which is in the later stages of the test phase, will start going into passenger service this year.
The class 745/1 trains will run on the Stansted Express route between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport and are designed to make passenger flow as easy as possible. Interior fittings are geared to customers about to take flights, with more space for luggage. On the outside, it is similar to the new class 745/0 Intercity.
The first class 755/3 three-carriage bi-mode train has also already been shipped to the UK, and more class 745/0 Intercitys will be dispatched from Switzerland over the coming weeks. Authorisation testing for the class 755/4 four-carriage bi-mode trains, which arrived at the end of last year, has now been successfully completed.
Martino Celeghini, technical project manager for Stadler, said: ‘Seeing the train pull into Liverpool Street for the first time made me realise how far we had all come since the contract was signed, less than three years ago. This route in particular is part of the life blood of the UK economy, and signifies Stadler’s entry into the mainstream UK rail industry.’
Ian McConnell from Greater Anglia, added: ‘Seeing the Stadler 12-carriage electric train pull into a platform at Liverpool Street was amazing. It really brought home what a huge improvement these brand new state-of-the-art trains will be for the railway in East Anglia. It’s unlike anything else in this country – and they’re going to transform our customers’ journeys.’
Mark Swindell, CEO Rock Rail, said: ‘These trains are an impressive sight and set to transform the travelling experiences for passengers on the Stansted Express route. They are some of the first trains to be introduced into the UK with finance provided through direct long term investment from pension funds and insurance companies.’
All of the new Swiss-made electric trains for Greater Anglia are longer, with more seats, plug and USB sockets and air conditioning. They will have fast free wifi and improved passenger information screens. Designed for comfort, the new Stadler trains feature low flooring to make them accessible for people in wheelchairs and with pushchairs. Windows are bigger and ‘picture style’ to improve the passenger experience and create a more airy and spacious feel. Customers will be able to walk more easily along the whole length of the train and all trains will be fully air-conditioned and have accessible toilets and bicycle spaces.
I have been working with the team since early 2018 and us arriving Liverpool Street with 745 104 was a great achievement in testing phase and very impressive built units by Stadler.