The Essex to London train company, c2c, recently celebrated its new Alstom Class 720 trains entering passenger service with a tribute to former Managing Director, Julian Drury.
The new Class 720 train (c) C2C
As part of the introduction of the new fleet of trains, c2c colleagues came together to see one of the new Class 720s pull in at London Fenchurch Street station. The occasion was also attended by c2c’s former Managing Director Julian Drury, who retired in 2020 after 12 years of service and was surprised to see the 720 unit had been named after him.
Julian Drury said: “I was very surprised to arrive this morning to find my name on the first of the 720s; I feel tremendously honoured.
“This is a very important step for c2c and its customers. The trains look stunning and are the best fleet that I’ve seen in the UK; it’s wonderful that we’ve got them here to serve our South Essex customers.”
The British-built trains are designed to increase capacity across the route between London and South East Essex.
The new five-carriage 720 units can be used as five carriage trains or coupled together to form ten-carriage trains, are longer with more seats and boast the addition of power and USB sockets at every seat, improved Wi-Fi and air conditioning. The units also benefit from open gangways, which are designed to make it easier for customers to walk between carriages. They have improved accessibility features as well as toilets on every train and dedicated cycle spaces.
As c2c progresses with driver training over the coming months, customers can expect to see more of the new 720 units across the route as they are progressively added into service.
I expect the existing trains will be more comfortable, though I stand to be corrected, however the additional capacity will more than make up for it and with that in mind, these trains can’t come soon enough.
I travelled home from work on the new train about 2 weeks ago and I have to say, the seats were felt slightly less comfortable, so you’re right. It wasn’t a massive difference though. But the spaciousness and general ambience due to the brighter lights made up for it. The smoothness of the train as it was moving was a massive improvement, and the usb ports/plug sockets are something I’ve wanted for a long time, so overall it’s an excellent improvement.
Curved fronts on trains that don’t go over 100 mph are just a waste of platform space, especially when two are coupled together.
Hi
I remember using the old trains back in 1986
The new ones now much better
Like to see the new 720 soon