Class 376 refurbishment 2025/2026

[Doomotron]

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.

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.

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.

You have both missed the point of my post entirely. There is no evidence to suggest an air conditioning system that could be used in the Class 376s is in production anymore. It is possible that SE could commission a new design, but the business case for that is non-existent.

And with the hopper windows, what sort of modifications would need to be done? Would the entire mechanism need to be replaced? I've never seen the hopper windows up close in a Class 376 so they might already have locks, but if they don't it isn't a case of just adding them.

 

[Fincra5]

I'd be shocked if it wasn't as ive senen many an Electrostar A/C system go off for Repair and new or refurbished ones fitted, etc from the Maintainence Depots.

Siemens don't make the Desiro City product anymore yet parts are still made them!

It would probably, again no idea as its all hypothetical, but other retrofitted stock has just had locks of sorts fitted. Nothing impossible.

You have both missed the point of my post entirely. There is no evidence to suggest an air conditioning system that could be used in the Class 376s is in production anymore. It is possible that SE could commission a new design, but the business case for that is non-existent.

And with the hopper windows, what sort of modifications would need to be done? Would the entire mechanism need to be replaced? I've never seen the hopper windows up close in a Class 376 so they might already have locks, but if they don't it isn't a case of just adding them.

 

[NSEWonderer]

They can be retrofitted, hence why the future proofing is avaliable, if and when it's needed there. The cost vs reward is the only limiting factor when it comes to the AC units on the 376s. As mentioned above, existing units still get new replacement ac units placed.

As for the openable windows on those units, they'll be able to lock those windows, at worse I'm pretty sure they can weld / seal them which seems to be what was done to 159s when SWT fitted AC on them.

When I passed East Ham a few months ago they had what looked like replaced AC units on the ground near the shed.

 

[43096]

As for the openable windows on those units, they'll be able to lock those windows, at worse I'm pretty sure they can weld / seal them which seems to be what was done to 159s when SWT fitted AC on them.

Sorry? The windows on the 159s are not welded shut - and they had aircon from new! SWT actually fitted more hopper windows into the original 159 fleet, not removed them.

 

[ScotGG]

It's all immaterial really. South Eastern Metro gets the cheapest every time. The runt of the TOC

 

[NSEWonderer]

Sorry? The windows on the 159s are not welded shut - and they had aircon from new! SWT actually fitted more hopper windows into the original 159 fleet, not removed them.

I mentioned "weld / sealed" so it could have been either but as you mentioned its the latter then as the windows don't open on the current stock in the passenger compartments, unless I've been unable to somehow open them. Should have mentioned SWR not sure why I put SWT but they did work on improving the existing AC with another "More reliable" system.

 

[43096]

I mentioned "weld / sealed" so it could have been either but as you mentioned its the latter then as the windows don't open on the current stock in the passenger compartments, unless I've been unable to somehow open them. Should have mentioned SWR not sure why I put SWT but they did work on improving the existing AC with another "More reliable" system.

They are locked shut - in the event of an aircon defect the guard can unlock them. That's why the hopper windows are fitted.

 

[Doomotron]

I'd be shocked if it wasn't as ive senen many an Electrostar A/C system go off for Repair and new or refurbished ones fitted, etc from the Maintainence Depots.

Siemens don't make the Desiro City product anymore yet parts are still made them!

I'd be surprised if entirely new air conditioning systems are fitted as replacements. New parts for existing systems are something I'd expect, but then again I can still buy parts for a Macintosh IIse even though that's been out of production for years.

As usual with railways, theoretically possible ≠ practical. I'm sure if you paid enough someone would make one, but I imagine that the cost of designing and fitting them would cost more than it would be worth. I would like to see 376s with air conditioning but it isn't a plausible thing at this stage of their lives. They should have had it from the start, but as they weren't even meant to exist in the first place, I think some things aren't meant to be.

 

[Geogregor]

I'd be surprised if entirely new air conditioning systems are fitted as replacements. New parts for existing systems are something I'd expect, but then again I can still buy parts for a Macintosh IIse even though that's been out of production for years.

As usual with railways, theoretically possible ≠ practical. I'm sure if you paid enough someone would make one, but I imagine that the cost of designing and fitting them would cost more than it would be worth. I would like to see 376s with air conditioning but it isn't a plausible thing at this stage of their lives. They should have had it from the start, but as they weren't even meant to exist in the first place, I think some things aren't meant to be.

I'm pretty sure A/C units can be fitted fairly easily. The only reason they aren't is because SE commuters are meant to suffer. It is just our lot. We shouldn't expect anything decent, there will always be excuses to do bare minimum.

 

[PGAT]

I'm pretty sure A/C units can be fitted fairly easily. The only reason they aren't is because SE commuters are meant to suffer. It is just our lot. We shouldn't expect anything decent, there will always be excuses to do bare minimum.

Nothing to do with difficulty there just isn’t enough money provided for the refurbishment to add it

 

[vuzzeho]

I'm pretty sure A/C units can be fitted fairly easily. The only reason they aren't is because SE commuters are meant to suffer. It is just our lot. We shouldn't expect anything decent, there will always be excuses to do bare minimum.

It's because the money for it isn't there. Nobody is out there cackling and cursing SE commuters to eons of suffering.

 

[Doomotron]

The only reason they aren't is because SE commuters are meant to suffer. It is just our lot. We shouldn't expect anything decent, there will always be excuses to do bare minimum.

I think you might be thinking the lack of AC is a malicious act...

 

[Fincra5]

I do kind of understand it... the 376s will go from SE, most likely, with a new Metro Stock order. Unless its cut back of course! So why will the ROSCO invest too much if the trains won't have a home in a couple/few years.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

They're not getting first class - are they!?

Southeastern Metro train refurbishment confirmed - Murky Depths

www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk

Work to refresh a number of Southeastern Metro trains will get underway this spring.

In an announcement this morning the company announced that all 36 Class 376 trains will see a new external colour scheme with work to start at Ashford depot.

 

[ScotGG]

It's because the money for it isn't there. Nobody is out there cackling and cursing SE commuters to eons of suffering.

The money is never there for SE Metro though is it?

The state of most Metro stock is abysmal and has been for years. Staffing non existent at many stations again for years and it's all DOO unlike SWR, for example. Neglected and starved of investment across the board.

 

[gmaguire]

Over a year ago a driver told me that DOO cameras were being considered for the 376s, because they want to phase out the platform monitors.

Seemingly that’s not happening as part of the refurb. I’ve not seen mention of it anywhere.

 

[Mollman]

They're not getting first class - are they!?

Southeastern Metro train refurbishment confirmed - Murky Depths

www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk

Work to refresh a number of Southeastern Metro trains will get underway this spring.

In an announcement this morning the company announced that all 36 Class 376 trains will see a new external colour scheme with work to start at Ashford depot.

That looks more orange than yellow so could be for the wheelchair space

 

[Doomotron]

They're not getting first class - are they!?

Southeastern Metro train refurbishment confirmed - Murky Depths

www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk

Work to refresh a number of Southeastern Metro trains will get underway this spring.

In an announcement this morning the company announced that all 36 Class 376 trains will see a new external colour scheme with work to start at Ashford depot.

No - it's going to be the same orange wraparound used on the 707s for their accessible sections.

 

[hvordan]

Have been living in SE metro land for about 4 months now, commuting using the 376s, and I have to say I am glad they're getting a refresh... although not too sure how I feel about the supposed new LED lighting as I quite like the lighting on these trains! Far warmer than the 707s!!

 

[AirRail]

Not sure why they have stuck with the garish turquoise/blue floor vinyl either, if they are genuinely including the flooring as part of the refurbishment. Surely a grey/beige style, similar to that on the 707's could have been chosen. It would instantly make the 376 interiors more modern and less old hospital wing like.

 

[Doomotron]

Not sure why they have stuck with the garish turquoise/blue floor vinyl either, if they are genuinely including the flooring as part of the refurbishment. Surely a grey/beige style, similar to that on the 707's could have been chosen. It would instantly make the 376 interiors more modern and less old hospital wing like.

Assuming that the render is correct, if there was ever a plan to change the falls it has been canned.

 

[Chiltern006]

It’s a shame the 376s aren’t getting toilets…

x.com

x.com

 

[Mikey C]

It’s a shame the 376s aren’t getting toilets…

x.com

x.com

Interesting. Does that suggest the 707s have a long term future on SE, but the 376s don't?

 

[JonathanH]

Interesting. Does that suggest the 707s have a long term future on SE, but the 376s don't?

Or that 707s will primarily work the services which stretch further out from London, with 376s and Networker replacement doing the true Metro work.

 

[Chiltern006]

Interesting. Does that suggest the 707s have a long term future on SE, but the 376s don't?

Id hope that they do, and that (if common sense prevails), they will give Goole some more work to do with their new order

 

[brad465]

It’s a shame the 376s aren’t getting toilets…

x.com

x.com

707s have a built-in provision, 376s don't, so the former will be far cheaper to retrofit.

Or that 707s will primarily work the services which stretch further out from London, with 376s and Networker replacement doing the true Metro work.

Other than Tunbridge Wells, 5-car units on outer workings are not useful, and could do with more seating for longer distance working.

 

[43066]

Or that 707s will primarily work the services which stretch further out from London, with 376s and Networker replacement doing the true Metro work.

I doubt that due to the inflexible five car min/ten car max formations they can run in.

Being cynical, it might signal that SE/DfT intend to spend less money opening and maintaining metro area station toilets (ie staffing costs), as I seem to remember better station facilities were promised when the 376s were introduced, due to them not having loos.

 

[MrB]

707s are likely considerably easier to fit toilets to as they were built with passive provision for it

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I don't consider this to be good news. It means they'll be retained long term in lieu of one big order covering the full Metro fleet, which would have been so much better in many ways.

 

[Fincra5]

Southeastern Railway to address the issues surrounding the lack of toilets on the Class 376...