*Shiny new trains alert.* Brand new Overground stock is now in service between Liverpool Street, Cheshunt, Chingford and Enfield Town.
The Class 710s were first seen in London last year, when they (belatedly) entered service on the 'Goblin' route in May. Among the benefits they have over the 1980s 315 and 317 stock they're replacing are: walk-through carriages, air conditioning, free WiFi, USB ports, real-time information... and a 10% capacity boost.
We're on board with that.
Right now, the only Liverpool Street service using the 710 stock is a peak-time one — consisting of two trains joined together (forming one eight-car train). Its inaugural trip was today (3 March).
More 710s will gradually be phased in along the route, and by July, the plan is to have 30 brand new trains running in and out of Liverpool Street. The vintage 80s trains will be no more.
Joanne McCartney, London Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey, said:
The long-awaited replacement of the old and antiquated trains with a new, state-of-the-art electric fleet will provide greater capacity, a more comfortable journey and increase the number of wheelchair spaces. This will greatly benefit travellers across Enfield & Haringey.
In all, the Overground network will wind up with 54 of the 710 stock trains. The new trains will run alongside the Overground's 378s, which were first introduced to the network in 2009. There are no plans as yet to replace these.
