FOUR-car EMU No. 710261 became the first of the class to be delivered to its new future home at Willesden depot, North London, when it was hauled there ‘top and tailed’ by Nos. 57305 and 37884 on June 13.
The unit was then used for the press launch on June 20, giving the first chance to look inside the newly-completed train. The ‘710s’ are due to start work on the London Overground route between Gospel Oak and Barking from November, before also taking over on the Euston-Watford Junction and Liverpool Street-Chingford/Cheshunt routes.
The fleet will comprise 48 four-car units (Nos. 710101-131 and 710256-272) plus six five-car units (yet to be allocated numbers). The ‘710/1s’ are AC only while the ‘710/2s’ are dual voltage (AC and third-rail for use on the Watford DC lines). The five-car units will seat around 200 passengers with standing room for nearly 500 more.
The units feature longitudinal seating, ‘intelligent’ lighting and temperature control, free wi-fi, USB charging points and digital information screens showing real-time travel information. Externally they sport a new colour scheme that does not include any yellow on the cab front, which is allowed by new regulations.
Read more in the August issue of RE.
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