The Great GTR Swap: An Update and a Discussion

[Millsy_2102]

Hi everyone,

I'm starting this thread to discuss what I like to call "The Great GTR Swap," a topic I made a video about a few months ago. A lot has changed since then, and I'm keen to hear your thoughts and get a more up-to-date picture of what's happening.

For those who missed it, the core of the swap involves:

• Southern's Class 377s moving to Southeastern.
• In their place, Southern is getting Class 387s from Great Northern.

Since my video, we've had some new developments. The Class 379s have now been put into service on Great Northern, and the refurbishment of the Class 387 cabs for Southern is still pending and might not happen for a couple more years.

What's everyone's take on this? Has anyone seen the 377s on Southeastern routes? What do you think about the delay with the 387s and their cab refurbs? What does this mean for the older Class 465 and 466 Networkers?

I'm curious to hear your opinions on how this massive fleet swap is affecting our rail network.

You can watch my original video here:

.

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

There are already multiple threads on this

GTR Class 377/387 cascade updates 2026

Who's said and confirmed this? Well. I wrote to Southern Railway a while back, and they have confirmed that they will be getting 25 387s. The numbers are 387114-387129 387 301-306, 387 172-174. The 387s 101-113 are staying with GN railway.

www.railforums.co.uk

Great Northern Fleet - 379s introduction

So, picking through bits and pieces over the last week or so. I think this is where they all are:- I think we have 15 units that have been used in passinger service, but 020 has been moved back to Peterbo Nene Sidings and is reported as stored with pan down. 003 arrived at HE takes the number...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[MCR247]

Sorry what was the update?

 

[Millsy_2102]

Sorry what was the update?

By update, I meant update to my original video, I didn't mention about the class 379s in the video.

 

[Minstral25]

There are already multiple threads on this

GTR Class 377/387 cascade updates 2026

Who's said and confirmed this? Well. I wrote to Southern Railway a while back, and they have confirmed that they will be getting 25 387s. The numbers are 387114-387129 387 301-306, 387 172-174. The 387s 101-113 are staying with GN railway.

www.railforums.co.uk

Great Northern Fleet - 379s introduction

So, picking through bits and pieces over the last week or so. I think this is where they all are:- I think we have 15 units that have been used in passinger service, but 020 has been moved back to Peterbo Nene Sidings and is reported as stored with pan down. 003 arrived at HE takes the number...

www.railforums.co.uk

and this one

Actual 377 and 387 Cascades (GN, SN, SE)

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/planned-387-and-377-cascades-to-southern-and-southeastern-in-2025.277465/page-11#post-7232249 The above thread is in Speculative Discussion, and I get why as there is a lot of speculation in it. However, I would like to actually keep track of the actual...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

and this one

Actual 377 and 387 Cascades (GN, SN, SE)

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/planned-387-and-377-cascades-to-southern-and-southeastern-in-2025.277465/page-11#post-7232249 The above thread is in Speculative Discussion, and I get why as there is a lot of speculation in it. However, I would like to actually keep track of the actual...

www.railforums.co.uk

Oh yeah that's the one I meant to link

 

[Cowley]

Yep. I think there’s probably enough with the ones above to be going.

Thanks for linking those.