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British Rail Class 375

From Alfawiki
British Rail Class 375 Electrostar
IndustryRailway rolling stock manufacturing
PredecessorAdtranz
Founded1999
Headquarters
Derby
,
United Kingdom
ProductsElectric multiple units (EMUs)
ParentBombardier Transportation (successor to Adtranz)

British Rail Class 375 Electrostar

The British Rail Class 375 Electrostar is an electric multiple unit (EMU) series manufactured at Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Adtranz produced 30 units between 1999 and 2001, followed by a further 110 units constructed by Bombardier Transportation, Adtranz’s successor, from 2001 until 2004. These trains belong to the Bombardier Electrostar family—which also encompasses Classes 357, 376, 377, 378, 379, and 387—and represent the most widely introduced EMU type since the privatisation of British Rail.

Class 375 trains serve as the backbone of Southeastern’s mainline fleet, operating on significant regional routes throughout southeast England.

Description

Entering service in 2000, the Class 375 fleet is owned by Eversholt Rail Group (previously HSBC Rail) and leased to Southeastern for operations connecting London with Kent and parts of East Sussex. This class is Southeastern’s primary rolling stock, having replaced over four decades-old slam-door Mark 1 coaches as well as the 16 Class 365 units transferred in 2004. All vehicles have been upgraded from Tightlock to Dellner couplers.

Refurbishment

In May 2015, unit 375301 underwent comprehensive refurbishment at Derby Litchurch Lane Works. It re-entered service sporting a refreshed livery characterized by bright blue on the saloon doors and more prominent stripes emphasizing First Class and Disabled compartments. Interior enhancements included new carpeting, lino flooring replacements, updated table surfaces, and re-powder coated grab poles, side panels, and table supports. Seat covers were dry cleaned rather than replaced. Additionally, on four-car units, the two separate First Class sections were merged into a single area located at the MOSL coach end.

The refurbishment programme aimed to renovate all Class 375 units between 2015 and 2018. Initially, work was planned to be divided between Derby and Ilford Bombardier depots; however, eventually all refurbishments were completed at Derby. The final unit to receive the updated blue Southeastern livery was 375920, which returned to Ramsgate depot on 28 April 2018.

Accidents and incidents

  • On 8 November 2010, unit 375 711 overran a station on the Hastings Line in East Sussex due to reduced railhead adhesion during the leaf fall season combined with maintenance shortcomings affecting the sanding system. The train slid past the station for . In response, Southeastern reduced the sand hopper refill interval from seven days to five.
  • On 24 November 2014, unit 375 611 experienced a fire in its front carriage at Platform 6 caused by defective electrical insulation pots. No injuries were reported; however, repairs were necessary for both the carriage and track infrastructure due to melted rail components.
  • On 26 July 2015, units 375 703 and 375 612 collided with cattle near Godmersham, between and , Kent. The leading carriage of unit 375 703 was derailed. None of the approximately seventy passengers and crew sustained injuries.
  • On 5 January 2018, unit 375 815 struck a fallen tree near Herne Bay, resulting in damage to its leading carriage but no casualties.
  • On 24 October 2018, unit 375 301 leading unit 375 906 collided with an abandoned vehicle on a level crossing between Teynham and Faversham. The car caught fire, causing damage to the leading carriage’s corridor area, bogie, and coupling assembly.

Primary routes

Class 375 units are deployed on significant main line services, including:

Outer suburban services

On outer suburban Southeastern lines, Class 375 trains operate alongside Class 377/5 and Class 465/9 fleets, covering routes such as:

Medway Valley Line

Since May 2012, Class 375/3 Electrostars have been assigned to the Medway Valley Line, except for a short suspension in early 2016. These units replaced the Class 466 Networkers, which no longer met PRM-TSI standards. The line links:

Sheerness branch

Beginning in December 2019, Class 375/3 trains took over operations on the Sheerness line from Class 466 units that did not comply with PRM-TSI requirements, enhancing both accessibility and service standards.

Fleet details

Class Category Operator Number in service Year manufactured Cars per set Unit numbers Additional information
375/3 Express & outer suburban Southeastern 10 2001–2002 3 375301–375310 Configured as DMOC-TOSL-DMOS. Units 375311–375338 were transferred to Southern, modified with Dellner couplers, and renumbered as 377301–377328.
375/6 30 1999–2001 4 375601–375630 Dual-voltage units originally arranged DMOC-PTOSL-MOSL-DMOC; refurbished to DMOS-PTOSL-MOCL-DMOS.
375/7 15 2001–2002 375701–375715 Initially configured as DMOC-TOSL-MOSL-DMOC; later refurbished to DMOS-TOSL-MOCL-DMOS.
375/8 30 2004–2005 375801–375830
375/9 27 2003–2004 375901–375927 Refurbished with DMOC-TOSL-MOSL-DMOC formation featuring 3+2 seating in Standard class; first class accommodation removed.


Named Units

A number of units have been designated names that honor local heritage and collaborative efforts:

Further reading

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