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Class 357 Refurbishment and repaints
- Thread starter Milo T.K
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Russel
Established Member
Surprising how different a small amount of paint can make the front of a train look!
No, it was an incorrect response to my post about 375s, which was a reply to someone mentioning them being repainted by GBR.
c2c have published an article on the refurbishment with details on the work done and how long each unit will take to complete. there is also a video on the process of the refurbishment:
www.c2c-online.co.uk
the next unit to be finished will be 357005 which will be out in the next week or so
Trenitalia c2c embarks on major project to repaint entire Class 357 fleet | Trains to/from London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail
For trains to and from London, Southend and elsewhere in Essex, plus timetables, ticket sales, information and events and offers, visit c2c-online.co.uk
www.c2c-online.co.uk
the next unit to be finished will be 357005 which will be out in the next week or so
So does this actually include an interior refurbishment? From what I can see here it's only the external paint being done. My last few journeys on C2C have been on units with very worn out interiors that are definitely in need of a facelift.
yes exterior only this refurbishment
boiledbeans2
Member
The TPE paintwork on the Class 170 (diesel version of 357) made it look "toothy" around the headlights:
The original Class 170/357 yellow panel shape looks best:
This photoshop by Paul Burkitt-Gray on Flickr shows another possibility for the front. I quite like it, but I still prefer the original.
ChristopherJ
Repeatedly returning banned member
Sigh. It's just an external refurbishment. You got some new vinyls, think yourselves lucky, peasants. 
Why couldn't c2c have followed a GTR style 'Project Aurora' refurb with LED lights, plug sockets and LCD screens for their Electrostars.
A race to the bottom.
Why couldn't c2c have followed a GTR style 'Project Aurora' refurb with LED lights, plug sockets and LCD screens for their Electrostars.
A race to the bottom.
Russel
Established Member
I remember seeing the TPE 170s around Hull back in the day, I always assumed they went for the adapted style of yellow to give them a bit more of a 185 look.
ScottGallagher
Member
- Joined
- 9 Dec 2012
- Messages
- 732
Did they receive a full repaint back when the blue C2C vinyls were peeled off back in 2009ish or was that a reuse of the LTS white and green door base (with doors then changed to blue)
boiledbeans2
Member
The "Pretendesiro"
bramling
Veteran Member
Sigh. It's just an external refurbishment. You got some new vinyls, think yourselves lucky, peasants.
Why couldn't c2c have followed a GTR style 'Project Aurora' refurb with LED lights, plug sockets and LCD screens for their Electrostars.
A race to the bottom.
I can't help but find the LCD screens and LED lights annoying, and would rather GTR hadn't bothered with these features, which essentially offer no actual value for the end-user. To be fair, the plug sockets *are* useful.
RUK
Member
That Photoshop makes the yellow warning panel look “flatter” and makes the end look more similar to the Class 168/0 design which they were derived from, in my opinion. I also prefer the original.
Do you have an exact date this week when 357005 will enter service ?
Wivenswold
Established Member
I think expectations with regard to a mid-life refurbishment should be tempered somewhat.
Remember when Eversholt refurbished 30 Class 321s even after GA had announced a fleet renewal?
With a big factory in Derby in need of some work over the next few years, GBR's arrival and some pressure to bring jobs to the North, I expect that Aventras will be the only traction on the LTS in 5-6 years and this new C2C branding will be even more short-lived than the 357s.
Remember when Eversholt refurbished 30 Class 321s even after GA had announced a fleet renewal?
With a big factory in Derby in need of some work over the next few years, GBR's arrival and some pressure to bring jobs to the North, I expect that Aventras will be the only traction on the LTS in 5-6 years and this new C2C branding will be even more short-lived than the 357s.
Russel
Established Member
Maybe in 10-15 years time.
The 357s still have a good 10 years left in them and even if they didn't, given how long it takes to get new stock into service in the UK, for the 357s to be gone in 5 years, the order for the replacement would probably need placing now.
Wivenswold
Established Member
They probably could soldier on for another 15 years but having a mixed fleet is an operational nightmare. Admittedly less so than when I was there with 302s/305s/308 that could work together and 310s and 312s that couldn't.
I agree the order would need placing very soon. But Alstom need orders soon to keep Derby operational. Once the BR era EMUs are gone from the South East, the early Electrostars will be next. The older they get, regardless of refurbs and overhauls, the more expensive and less reliable they become.
We don't want the LTS going back to the days when they had the oldest NSE area AC EMU fleet because them were dark days.
THC
Member
RTT showing 357005 in service today on the 15.48 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness (1B62)
Presumably it has now lost its Union Jack vinyl that it had carried on one carriage?
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I don't I'm afraid, but I'll be travelling on C2C this weekend all being well, so I'll look out for any other repainted units whilst I'm there.
Brilliant thanks.
What’s happened to 209 & 016 lately? they must be next on the list to be refurbished.
According to rtt, 328 will be next as last into Ilford on the 19th of feb.
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TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
005, 043, 207 and 323 are the ones I know of, but there will likely be more by now.
RUK
Member
209 and 318 have been done, too - I’ve seen both of them at Shoebury station, and been on 318. I imagine quite a few more have been done, too. They’ve changed the numbers on the front to a different, thinner, type-face, which doesn’t look so good, in my opinion. It’s a real shame that the work’s only to the exterior, because the Class 357’s interiors look quite worn, e.g. on 318.
016 is officially the 12th unit repainted & in service now. Looks like 033 has gone on another hiatus.
Here’s a list of which units are refurbished & in preparation.
Updated: 23/06/25
207: in service December 2024
005: in service early February 2025
323: in service late February 2025
328: in service early March 2025
209: in service late March 2025
318: in service early April 2025
319: in service late April 2025
316: in service early May 2025
043: in service late May 2025
042: in service early June 2025
033: in service mid June 2025
016: in service late June 2025
In prep at Ilford currently:
002
026
001
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