Yes, we’re going back to our semi-regular diversion of trains – and for commuters in the South West of London and beyond – this is important as the new operator of the South Western Rail franchise has placed an order for new trains.
And it is with Bombardier who get the order for 750 new train carriages.
Bombardier Aventra for South West Railway franchise – Rendering, Bombardier
FirstGroup and MTR have signed a contract for these trains from Bombardier to supply and maintain the type.
The trains themselves are based on the Bombardier Aventra platform, which is currently being used for the CrossRail project, London Overground’s replacement trains and Greater Anglia‘s suburban commuter trains.
Aboard the trains, passengers can expect:
- Wide-open gangways between carriages
- Air conditioning
- 2 + 2 seating (with space optimised for standing room
- WiFi
- USB sockets at seat locations
- Universal toilets
- Improved passenger information systems.
The new units will be delivered in a mixture of 5-car and 10-car configurations.
The contract is valued at around £895 million, including the maintenance over the seven years of the franchise – and can be extended subject to the franchise being extended.
These trains will be used to replace existing suburban stock which serve Windsor, Reading and West London suburban routes.
Rolling stock that is due to be replaced include BREL Class 455, BREL Class 456, Alstom Class 458, and maybe most controversially the yet to be introduced Siemens Class 707 (which are currently being commissioned for service)
The new trains will start are planned to enter service from mid-2019 and the fleet fully deployed by December 2020.
As you can see from the rendering above – the units look more than a little plain in white and grey. New branding will appear when FirstGroup and MTR decide how they are going to brand the new South Western Rail franchie.
The new franchise begins on 20 August 2017.
Whilst there will be welcome for some commuters for more new trains in the South West London surbain region, there are plenty of questions to what is going to happen to the newer rolling stock (the Class 458 and Class 707).
All being well, the newer trains will find new homes.
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