Class 745

The Class 745 is a type of EMU built by Stadler as part of the versatile FLIRT family for use on Greater Anglia's Norwich to London and Stansted Express services. They were constructed between 2018 and 2020 in Switzerland and first entered service on 8 January 2020.

 

 

History

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In August 2016, Abellio Greater Anglia was awarded the East Anglia franchise and made a commitment to replace the entire fleet. As part of this, an order was placed with Stadler Rail for twenty 12-car electric multiple units, divided into two subclasses: ten 745/0 units and ten 745/1 units, for the Norwich - London and Stansted Express services respectively.

 

The 745/0 units were built to replace the Class 90 locomotive, Mark 3 carriage and Driving Van Trailer loco-hauled sets on the intercity London Liverpool Street to Norwich services. The 745/1 units were built to replace the Class 379 fleet used on Stansted Express services.

 

 

Facilities

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The interiors of the units feature USB-A and UK plug sockets at every seat, air conditioning, free WiFi, detailed passenger information screens, larger accessible areas, bicycle storage, and digital seat reservation displays. The trains also feature level boarding via an automatic ramp which extends to the platform before the doors open. The 745/0 units also feature first class accomodation and a bistro, with a trolley service on certain services.

In July 2024, Greater Anglia announced tables would be retrofitted on 745/1 units, with work being completed by the end of 2025.

 

Operation

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The Class 745 was first approved for passenger service in July 2019 and were expected to start operating later that year. However, delays in fitting their passenger information systems meant that Greater Anglia instead had to seek a derogation allowing the operation of their Class 90 + Mark 3 sets into 2020.

 

The first 745/0 unit finally entered service on 8 January 2020, and by April 2020 had entirely replaced the Class 90 fleet.

 

The first 745/1 unit entered service on 30 March 2020. Although they primarily serve the Stansted Express route, they are also used on the Norwich to London route.

 

 

Technical details

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Class 745 units of both subclasses are formed of 12 vehicles, which are grouped in pairs that share an unpowered Jacobs bogie. Conventional semi-permanent couplings join each pair of vehicles together, a difference from other FLIRT models (that use Jacobs bogies throughout) necessary in order to provide energy absorption should a collision or derailment occur. Traction motors are carried on four bogies in each unit; one under each driver's cab and one either side of the centremost coupling. Pantographs are fitted to the second and eleventh vehicles in each unit.