The train operating company, Southeastern has set out its plans for the refurbishment and upgrade of its train fleet and says that it will have completed the introduction of its Class 707 ‘City Beam’ trains in its Metro area by December, with another three pairs now introduced to the Grove Park, Hayes and Dartford lines.
The Class 707 trains came from South Western Railway and are being refurbished in Southeastern colours and with upgraded interiors. The final 12 of these air-conditioned trains complete the introduction of the fleet of 30 new trains to the fleet.
The 19th and 20th Class 707 ‘City Beam’ trains being prepared for service at Southeastern’s Gillingham train maintenance depot. (c) Southeastern
In addition, the Class 375 upgrade is due to complete in March 2024, bringing three-point plugs and USB power sockets to these trains for the first time as well as new LED lighting and energy metering, allowing Southeastern to better understand the amount of energy they’re using.
The Class 375 is the principal train used by Southeastern and were introduced between 1999 and 2005.
The Class 395 ‘Javelin’ refurbishment is also under way, with two out of 29 trains upgraded, with a full interior refresh including new carpets and seats, USB at-seat charging, a CCTV system upgrade, a live passenger information system (PIS) upgrade including media screens (from 2024) and new LED lighting (from 2025).
Mark Johnson, Southeastern’s Engineering Director, said: “The upgrade of our train fleet is just one aspect of our drive towards a better, more reliable and more sustainable railway.
“Our Class 707 ‘City Beam’ trains are lighter, with open, accessible interiors including two wheelchair spaces every five carriages, plus bigger windows flooding the train with light. The air-conditioned carriages with improved ventilation and heating will mean a more pleasant travelling environment whatever the time of year.
“They’re also smarter trains, with better on-board information showing space available in each carriage, plus free Wi-Fi and handy plug sockets so you can keep charged up and connected”.
In addition, work continues on the procurement process we started in November 2022 for a future train fleet that could operate in both the Metro area and some mainline routes.
Class 376 refurbishment info
https://twitter.com/stevewhiterail/status/1711735969840324778?s=46&t=v-EG8IN4HKevCou-aZfq8w%C2%A0
Does anyone know the current fate of the Networkers? I still prefer riding on these units than the newer ones…
Hmm I wonder if any of these are destined for the forgotten Greenwich line.
Scrap unfortunately, my preferred train if there is a choice
The Refurbished Class 465/9 Metro Cammell built units & their sister Class 466 half units all make a very musical distinctive Formula One Sound when starting up. I really like that sound and it’s the same as that on the Jubilee line trains which were designed around the same time.
Awful trains – how can they make trains in 2023 without any toilet facilities onboard? I can easily bring a power pack for my phone, it is harder to provide my own WC
There have been broader campaigns about what is called the “loo leash” due to lack of toilet provision on stations as well as trains (and unclear/incomplete information).
Elizabeth line trains is another case in point, the presumption that people can get off the train (where there are gaps of some minutes between stops) if they need the loo is a sweeping false generalisation and a significant miss by (maybe) ORR? (Maybe even actionable under the Equality act?)
I agree with the lack of toilets, ridiculous in this day and age . Take a bottle or cup
The lack toilets is in part due to a proportion of them needing to be accessible and therefore, take up a much larger part of the carriage than “normal” toilets, reducing customer capacity.
If only, “normal” toilets were provided it would be discriminatory, so to overcome this issue, none for all.