‘Flirt’ bi-mode arrives at Crown Point
GREATER Anglia took delivery of the first of more than 150 units that will replace its entire fleet over the next two to three years on November 15.
The first to arrive was Stadler-built ‘Flirt’ No. 755405, which had previously been displayed at the Innotrans rail industry event at Berlin in September. After movement through the Channel Tunnel, it was collected by No. 66002 and taken to Norwich as the 5P99/03.43 Ripple Lane to Norwich Crown Point.
While Swiss firm Stadler may be new to UK operations, its ‘Flirt’ design has widespread use in many other parts of Europe since it was first introduced in 2004.
In addition to these 38 bi-mode sets, which will enable all of Greater Anglia’s DMUs to be replaced, a further 20 EMU versions are on order to replace the loco-hauled trains between Liverpool Street and Norwich and for use on Stansted Express duties currently worked by Class 379 units.
Along with the Bombardier Class 720 ‘Aventras’, the new stock (see table) will allow Greater Anglia to replace its entire fleet by the end of 2020.
No. 755405 was expected to begin its main line testing from Crown Point in early December. A second set, No. 755407, was at Dollands Moor on November 27 and was scheduled to be moved to Norwich two days later.
■ Interestingly, unlike many of the other train operating
