Class 376 refurbishment 2025/2026

[43066]

SE metro fleet composition is a total joke. It should be simplified by proper total replacement.

But this being unloved SE-land we will stay as dumping ground of things nobody else wants for years to come...

It’s a real shame that the Networker fleet has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent because there has been a “will they, won’t they” question mark over replacement for so long.

The 465-9 interiors are pretty decent, and the older SWR 455s show what can be achieved, even with very long in the tooth fleets. If similar had been done to the Networkers a few years ago they would be far more pleasant to use now.

 

[778]

The Networker orders in the 1990s were cut back due to a recession back then.

Is that the reason why the class 376 exists? Because of the order being cut back they needed new trains when passenger numbers increased?

 

[Mikey C]

Is that the reason why the class 376 exists? Because of the order being cut back they needed new trains when passenger numbers increased?

The 376s also enabled some 465s to be shifted to mid Kent services, the 465/9s with 1st class.

I've sometimes wondered why Connex didn't just order some more 3+2 375s instead for such services, and refurbished the 465s with more standing space for the metro routes. It would have given Southeastern a simpler fleet now.

 

[JonathanH]

I've sometimes wondered why Connex didn't just order some more 3+2 375s instead for such services, and refurbished the 465s with more standing space for the metro routes. It would have given Southeastern a simpler fleet now.

Answered in this thread.

History of the class 376s

What are the history of these often overlooked units? Were they a Connex order or was the design of a metro style train something Network SouthEast started? I remember chatting to an ex-NSE manager once who told me they were planning to focus their modernisation on London metro services in the...

www.railforums.co.uk

Connex saw a need to do something to increase Metro capacity. Altered 465s wasn't the answer.

 

[MrB]

Via SE's Twitter/X feed this morning, refresh will include

1. Power sockets
2. New lighting
3. Blue exterior (presumably to match the 707s & 375s)

x.com

x.com

To improve customer comfort we are refreshing all 36 of our Class 376 trains in partnership with @AlstomUK & @eversholtrail

The upgrade includes at seat USB/power sockets, energy-efficient LED lighting and a new blue exterior

 

[SEtrains]

Via SE's Twitter/X feed this morning, refresh will include

1. Power sockets
2. New lighting
3. Blue exterior (presumably to match the 707s & 375s)

x.com

x.com

Where will the work take place if it is known yet?

 

[bnsf734]

Where will the work take place if it is known yet?

According to a reply on the X feed linked above - Grove Park.

I notice no mention of the seats receiving attention!

 

[Discuss223]

Those seats look awful.

 

[Cach17]

I've always been quite baffled at how long the 376s have gone without being repainted out of Connex colours. Then again, Southern have had the same livery for over 20 years now.

And I have to concur with post #68. Those are the most ironing board-esque seats I've ever laid eyes upon.

 

[Geogregor]

The most pointless "refurbishment" ever...

 

[Mikey C]

I've always been quite baffled at how long the 376s have gone without being repainted out of Connex colours. Then again, Southern have had the same livery for over 20 years now.

And I have to concur with post #68. Those are the most ironing board-esque seats I've ever laid eyes upon.

Those are the current seats, with new seat cloths to replace the current worn out ones. They do have good legroom though.

 

[Snow1964]

Where will the work take place if it is known yet?

According to a reply on the X feed linked above - Grove Park.

I notice no mention of the seats receiving attention!

The article says Ashford for wrap into blue and LED Lighting,
and Grove Park for interior repaint and seat refurbishment

Southeastern announces major upgrade of its Class 376 fleet in partnership with Alstom and Eversholt Rail

Extensive interior and exterior mid-life refresh of all 36 Class 376 Electrostars. Enhancements include at seat USB/power sockets, energy-efficient LED lighting and a blue exterior wrap. Class 376 upgrade is part of Southeastern’s wider fleet improvement programme that is delivering better...

newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk

More general fleet info is in the news article too

• The £27 million project to refurbish Southeastern's highspeed trains continues. At the end of last year, 23 of the 29 Class 395s had received a full interior refresh, including new seats and carpets, LED lighting, and USB at-seat charging.
• It was announced in November 2024 that an extra 13 of the Class 377 trains are to enter Southeastern service following their transfer from Govia Thameslink Railway. The 377s are more reliable than the older Networker fleet and they provide a better onboard experience.
• The procurement process to replace the fleet of Networkers with new or upgraded trains is ongoing

 

[Doomotron]

Those seats look awful.

They're the ones they've had from new.

The most pointless "refurbishment" ever...

The fleet hasn't been touched in almost twenty years. I assume your complaint is based solely on the lack of air conditioning - I'm sure that they'd be willing to add it if you sent them a few million to their bank account.

 

[RealTrains07]

Refurbishment sounds good but could be alot better. Maybe replace the seats?

 

[Doomotron]

Refurbishment sounds good but could be alot better. Maybe replace the seats?

A seat replacement was never on the cards. What seats do you expect them to replace them with?

 

[ScottGallagher]

Are they not getting an external repaint then just a vinyl? Surely that's well overdue by now.

 

[Zico Azeez]

Refurbishment sounds good but could be alot better. Maybe replace the seats?

Considering there's no funding for toilets or air conditioning to be retrofitted, I doubt there would be any for a full seat replacement either.

 

[RealTrains07]

Considering there's no funding for toilets or air conditioning to be retrofitted, I doubt there would be any for a full seat replacement either.

No toilets either?

This refurbishment sounds worse by the minute

 

[Russel]

No toilets either?

This refurbishment sounds worse by the minute

They are high density metro trains, apart from aircon, I don't really know what else you expect.

 

[Zeremony]

No toilets either?

This refurbishment sounds worse by the minute

Class 707s which operate on the same routes don't have toilets either.

 

[D365]

Considering there's no funding for toilets or air conditioning to be retrofitted, I doubt there would be any for a full seat replacement either.

These are not mutually equatable. Retrofitting aircon or new toilets to existing vehicles, where there are currently none, is costly.

 

[Fincra5]

These are not mutually equatable. Retrofitting aircon or new toilets to existing vehicles, where there are currently none, is costly.

Well... the 376s are built to be able to take A/C I believe with the usual ducting in place and "pod" in the roof above the passenger doors. Its just got a HV system. (AFAIK).
Toilets, yes that would be more costly and pointless for the Metro Service they're on.

 

[GatwickDepress]

A basic refurbishment for a basic train. Glad to see they're finally getting some attention as the interiors are very grubby.

 

[TheGuy77]

That looks like it will do nothing at all - no aircon or toilets - but at least they will (hopefully) get a nice deep cleaning for once.

 

[Fincra5]

That looks like it will do nothing at all - no aircon or toilets - but at least they will (hopefully) get a nice deep cleaning for once.

Why would they suddenly get Toilets?

A/C was originally planned, shame it was shelved by the ROSCO.

 

[Doomotron]

Well... the 376s are built to be able to take A/C I believe with the usual ducting in place and "pod" in the roof above the passenger doors. Its just got a HV system. (AFAIK).
Toilets, yes that would be more costly and pointless for the Metro Service they're on.

Even if they were designed for air condition to be fitted, that doesn't mean it can be.

Some questions that would need to be answered:

• Are there any air conditioning systems that fit in the housing?
• If there are any parts relating to air conditioning already present in the trains, are they in good condition, and are they compatible with modern-day air conditioning systems?
• Would the hopper windows need to be replaced or modified to allow them to be locked shut?

 

[Recessio]

Are they not getting an external repaint then just a vinyl? Surely that's well overdue by now.

I wonder if the vinyl might be because it'll be cheaper to take a vinyl off if GBR might eventually want to repaint the trains to whatever livery they choose in the future. Otherwise they would be getting repainted now and then might get repainted again before the new paint is life-expired, as it were.

Even if they were designed for air condition to be fitted, that doesn't mean it can be.

Some questions that would need to be answered:

• Are there any air conditioning systems that fit in the housing?
• If there are any parts relating to air conditioning already present in the trains, are they in good condition, and are they compatible with modern-day air conditioning systems?
• Would the hopper windows need to be replaced or modified to allow them to be locked shut?

Presumably the same aircon systems used in the rest of the Electrostars would work? Would be pointless having a modular ventilation system on Electrostar if you couldn't swap out the modules.

Other Electrostars have at least one locked hopper window in each carriage for ventilation if the aircon fails. Also over on GWR, there are Class 165/166 units running with retrofitted aircon that still have all the original hopper windows that are all just locked closed. So I don't think there would be any need to replace the windows, just lock them closed.

 

[Fincra5]

Even if they were designed for air condition to be fitted, that doesn't mean it can be.

Some questions that would need to be answered:

• Are there any air conditioning systems that fit in the housing?
• If there are any parts relating to air conditioning already present in the trains, are they in good condition, and are they compatible with modern-day air conditioning systems?
• Would the hopper windows need to be replaced or modified to allow them to be locked shut?

The electrostar is a modular platform, so the same aircon pod that's used on a 375, 377, 387, 379 etc could, in theory, be used on the 376.

You just add a lock to the Hopper Windows as other electrostars have.

And countless other trains with retrofitted aircon.

 

[brad465]

Why would they suddenly get Toilets?

A/C was originally planned, shame it was shelved by the ROSCO.

Yes there is no toilet provision on 376s so would be very expensive. The 707s do have provision though so if SE wanted more toilet-containing stock these will be where they go to first.

 

[Wolfie]

These are not mutually equatable. Retrofitting aircon or new toilets to existing vehicles, where there are currently none, is costly.

Perhaps not so much so though on carriages designed to take them - most Electrostars have both.