Bombardier Electrostar
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Adtranz |
| Founded | January 1, 1974 |
| Fate | Acquired by Alstom |
| Successor | Alstom |
| Headquarters | Derby , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, South Africa |
| Products | Electrostar electric multiple units |
| Owner | Bombardier Inc. (until acquisition) |
| Parent | Bombardier Inc. (until acquisition) |
| Website | rail |
The Bombardier Electrostar—initially marketed as the ADtranz Electrostar until 2001—is a series of electric multiple-unit (EMU) passenger trains produced by Bombardier Transportation (formerly Adtranz) at their Derby Litchurch Lane Works facility in England between 1999 and 2017. Since the privatisation of British Rail, it has become the most prevalent newly introduced EMU type in the United Kingdom, available in multiple variants. Electrostar units primarily service busy suburban commuter lines radiating from London, as well as major routes extending south to Surrey and the southern coast, eastward to Essex, and north towards Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
This train family shares its body shell and fundamental structure with the Bombardier Turbostar, the foremost diesel multiple unit (DMU) series developed post-privatisation; both trace their origin to an ADtranz design. The Turbostar and Electrostar platforms utilize a modular architecture designed to facilitate swift production and straightforward upkeep. Their shared underframe consists of seam-welded aluminium alloy extrusions, clad with body panels and topped by a single-piece roof. The ends of each carriage are constructed from glass-reinforced plastic combined with steel, which are bolted onto the main body. Components beneath the frame are installed in "rafts" secured into designated slots. The predominantly aluminium construction reduces overall weight, thereby improving acceleration and energy efficiency.
In August 2006, Transport for London (TfL) placed an order for 48 three- and four-car Electrostar trains intended for the newly launched London Overground network. Classified as by Network Rail, these units commenced operations in 2009, replacing older rolling stock on the North London and West London Lines and initiating service on the East London line extension in 2010.
A further order was placed in 2009 for thirty four-car Electrostars by National Express East Anglia (currently Abellio Greater Anglia) to operate on the Stansted Express and West Anglia routes; these trains entered service in March 2011.
Manufacturing concluded in 2017 with unit 387174 for Great Western Railway, completed at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, marking an 18-year production span. The Electrostar series was succeeded by the Alstom Aventra platform.
Additionally, the Electrostar was chosen for South Africa’s Gautrain rapid transit system connecting Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Johannesburg International Airport. These trains were locally assembled by UCW Partnership using components produced in Derby.
Variants
| Class | Image | Operator(s) | Introduced | Number | Power | Carriages | Door configuration | End gangways | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Brc | c2c | 1999 | 74 | AC electric | 4 | "Plug" style | No | ||
| Template:Brc | Southeastern | 1999 | 112 | Dual Voltage/DC electric | 3 or 4 | "Plug" style | Yes | The primary distinction between Class 375 and 377 lies in their coupler types; Southern units originally built as Class 375 have been converted to Class 377 couplers. Minor differences remain in interior trim. | |
| Template:Brc | rowspan="2" | rowspan="2" |Southeastern | 2004 | 36 | DC electric | 5 | Sliding pocket | No | |
| Template:Brc | Template:Image array | Template:Unbulleted indent list | 2002 | 239 | Dual Voltage/DC electric | 3, 4 or 5 | "Plug" style | Yes | Models Class 377/6 and /7 feature exterior differences aligned with Class 379 and 387. |
| Template:Brc | rowspan="2" | rowspan="2" |London Overground | 2008 | 57 | Dual Voltage/DC electric | 5 | Sliding pocket | Emergency only | Delivered in three batches: dual voltage Class 378/0 for North and West London Lines, DC-only Class 378/1 for East London Line, plus extended Class 378/2 units; all were later lengthened to five cars. |
| Gautrain Electrostar | rowspan="2" | rowspan="2" |Gautrain | 2010 | 24 | AC electric | 4 | "Plug" style | No | |
| Template:Brc | rowspan="2" | rowspan="2" |Great Northern | 2010 | 30 | AC electric | 4 | "Plug" style | Yes | Incorporates technical elements from the proposed Aventra Mark II Electrostar but externally resembles Class 375 and 377. |
| Template:Brc | Template:Image array | Template:Unbulleted indent list | 2014 | 107 | Dual Voltage | 4 | "Plug" style | Yes | Procured by Govia Thameslink Railway to cover service requirements prior to full delivery of Class 700 units; subsequently transferred among Great Northern, Gatwick Express, and Great Western Railway fleets. From 2022 onward, six Class 387/3 units were added for Great Northern facilitating transfers to Southern. |
c2c
c2c utilizes Class 357 trains along the London, Tilbury and Southend line, connecting and with .
Southeastern
At the heart of Southeastern’s long-distance operations is the , running from London terminals (, , , ) over various lines such as:
In outer suburban areas, Class 377/5 Electrostars and complement the Class 375 units, although they are not coupled to operate together.
The handles suburban metro routes within London alongside Desiro Cities, Class 465, and Networkers. These services run from London terminals (including ) to destinations such as and , covering:
- North Kent Line (up to Gravesend)
- Bexleyheath Line (towards Dartford)
- Dartford Loop Line (to Dartford)
- South Eastern Main Line (reaching Sevenoaks)
- Hayes Line
Operations on the Bromley North Line are conducted by (4-car Networkers). Prior to January 2020, when accessibility standards were updated, the Bromley North, Sheerness, and Medway Valley Lines were exclusively served by (2-car Networkers).
Southern
Southern’s fleet of trains serves nearly all electrified routes within its network. This includes metro lines formerly operated by the now-retired units (phased out in 2022) and units transferred to South West Trains in 2014.
Primary routes
- Brighton Main Line (Victoria to Gatwick and Brighton)
- East Coastway (Brighton extending to Eastbourne, Hastings, and Ore)
- West Coastway (Brighton reaching Portsmouth and Southampton)
- Arun Valley Line (Victoria through Horsham, Littlehampton, and Chichester)
- West London Line (Clapham Junction to Watford Junction), operated using Class 377/2 or Dual Voltage Class 377/7 units
Outer suburban routes
- London Victoria to Horsham via Dorking
- London Victoria to East Grinstead
- London Bridge to Horsham via East Croydon
- London Victoria to Reigate
- Redhill to Tonbridge
Suburban services
Frequently served lines include:
- London Victoria to Dorking via Sutton
- London Victoria to Epsom Downs
- London Bridge to London Victoria via Sydenham
- London Bridge to Caterham
- London Victoria to Caterham
- London Victoria to Epsom
- London Bridge to Tattenham Corner
London Overground
London Overground deploys trains across four of its six lines throughout London:
- North London Line (Richmond to Stratford via Willesden Junction)
- West London Line (Clapham Junction through West Brompton to Willesden Junction, continuing on the North London Line towards Stratford)
- East London Line (from Crystal Palace, New Cross, or West Croydon to Dalston Junction and Highbury & Islington via Canada Water)
- South London Line (Clapham Junction to Peckham Rye, extending onto the East London Line up to Dalston Junction)
Gautrain (South Africa)
The Gautrain rapid transit system inaugurated its Sandton–OR Tambo International Airport connection on 8 June 2010, in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The segment between Johannesburg Park Station and Rosebank became operational on 7 June 2012 after delays caused by water infiltration issues in the tunnel linking Rosebank and Park stations. Unlike most South African railways that utilize , Gautrain operates on the higher-cost standard gauge of . This decision was influenced by considerations such as enhanced safety, improved passenger comfort, availability and cost-effectiveness of rolling stock, reduced maintenance expenses due to greater tolerance for track irregularities, and support for speeds up to .
Great Western Railway
Beginning in September 2016, Great Western Railway deployed 45 four-car units on high-demand services running between London Paddington and , replacing the and models previously operating on Thames Valley routes. These trains currently run on routes connecting London Paddington with , , and .
In 2018, GWR revealed intentions to convert 12 units for deployment on the Heathrow Express network following the shutdown of the depot.
Great Northern
Starting from late 2016, 29 Class 387/1 trains, which had been replaced on Thameslink by newer trains, were reassigned to Great Northern. Their main operation covers the King's Cross–Cambridge–King's Lynn line, although they occasionally serve other routes. These trains maintain their original Southern livery featuring green doors and interiors styled in Southern fashion.