London Underground's new Class 710s will debut on Gospel Oak to Barking route

Artist`s impression of the new Class 710

Artist`s impression of the new Class 710

A fleet of 54 new air-conditioned trains has been ordered for London Overground. The trains are being built at Bombardier Transport's UK site in Derby.

The new train fleet, which forms part of the Mayor's Transport Strategy, will initially come into service on the Gospel Oak to Barking route, operated by Arriva Rail London on behalf of Transport for London (TfL). 

The Class 710 trains feature walk-through carriages for greater capacity, carrying around 700 people per train. They offer and improved accessibility, with more wheelchair spaces. 

They are constructed from lightweight materials and intelligent lighting, making them much more energy-efficient to operate. They also feature temperature controls to make journeys more comfortable for passengers.

Digital information screens giving customers real-time travel information while on board, while there will also be Wi-Fi and USB charging points.

The fleet of Class 710s will also debut a new London Overground colour scheme.

The first of the new trains will be in passenger service by November. The new trains will be tested over the summer on the Gospel Oak to Barking route, which was completed by Network Rail in mid-June.

A simulator has been created with a precise representation of the driver's cab and life-like graphics of the London Overground route to enable drivers to experience driving the new trains through all conditions, including severe weather and trespassers on the track. Drivers will undergo thorough training and familiarisation course over the summer before the first train enters passenger service.

Jonathan Fox, TfL's director of rail and sponsored services, said: “We are very keen to see them introduced into service as soon as possible so our customers can benefit from the fully air-conditioned, walk-through trains with handy USB charging points and real-time passenger information screens. Over the summer, the new trains will undergo final rigorous testing and drivers will complete extensive training. We are now planning for the first trains to enter passenger service on the Gospel Oak to Barking route by November.”

Network Rail has completed the electrification works to the Gospel Oak to Barking route that forms part of their London Railway Upgrade Plan. The Barking Riverside extension will add 4km to the London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking route, and take it from Barking to a new station at Barking Riverside. Construction is expected to begin later in the year, with train services starting during 2021.

Arriva Rail London is the train operating company responsible for running the London Overground network under a Concession Agreement with Transport for London (TfL). The seven-and-a-half year concession commenced on 13 November 2016.

London Overground celebrated its 10th anniversary in November 2017. Since TfL took over suburban rail routes from Silverlink in 2007, passenger numbers on the routes have increased six-fold.