Class 717 'Desiro City' Profile and Models
717016 at Palmers Green in June 2019. ©Scully Hitchcock
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Upon winning the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) announced that it would seek to replace the existing Class 313 units (which were 40 years old in 2016) operating on services to and from Moorgate, with up to 25 six-car units intended to be procured. In December 2015, GTR announced that it had selected Siemens to provide this new fleet, originally designated Class 713, as a follow-on order from the main Class 700 order, with entry into service expected from March 2019. The order was finalised in February 2016. A significant difference between Class 717s and the earlier Class 700s is the provision of fold-down emergency doors at both ends of each train. These are required for emergency evacuation of passengers while inside the deep-level Moorgate tunnels. |
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Type of Unit |
Electric Multiple Unit |
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Builder |
Siemens Mobility |
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Build Dates |
2018 |
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Total Built |
25 sets |
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Power Output |
1,600 hp |
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Top Speed |
85 mph |
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Passenger Capacity |
362 seats |
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Operated By |
Great Northern |
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Main Duties |
Local passenger |
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In Service Until |
Present |
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Surviving Examples |
All in service |
