"City Beam"

[High Dyke]

I'm not that technically minded, but was curious about this post on X by National Rail Enquiries, referring to "City Beam carriages." I have no clue what that refers to. Anyone know?


Image shows a screenshot from National Rail Enquiries about disruption in the Lewisham area.

 

[swt_passenger]

It’s a stupid name used by Southeastern for what everyone else refers to as Class 707.

 

[Segedunum]

Class 707 trains. Southeastern refers to them as Citybeam.

On station PIS and similar they mention whether trains in London now are Networker, Class 376 or Citybeam

 

[Sprinter158]

That would be the southeastern class 707 units

 

[brad465]

Having read the full disruption, I'm guessing the problem is the DOO kit for 10-12 carriage trains, which Class 707s can bypass with their own DOO kit on the carriages, while 8 or fewer car Networker and 376 trains don't use that monitor.

 

[High Dyke]

It’s a stupid name used by Southeastern for what everyone else refers to as Class 707.

Thanks for the explanation. It wasn't a term I'd heard before.

Much obliged to all who responded.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Thanks for the explanation. It wasn't a term I'd heard before.

Much obliged to all who responded.

Name derived from the generic Siemens design called "Desiro City" (class 700).

 

[Mikey C]

I've never seen an explanation for the name. Where's the "Beam" come from?

 

[3141]

I've never seen an explanation for the name. Where's the "Beam" come from?

Somebody's imagination, probably after a few drinks. it reminded me of "Beam me up, Scotty". No logical connection to anything, and if there were one it would be tenuous and soon forgotten. As in Arterio, Azuma, Evero, Lumo....

 

[Snow1964]

Somebody's imagination, probably after a few drinks. it reminded me of "Beam me up, Scotty". No logical connection to anything, and if there were one it would be tenuous and soon forgotten. As in Arterio, Azuma, Evero, Lumo....

Also not clear why they thought they needed a name for 707s, but don't seem to have a name for 376s. Why the inconsistency of names for some types, but class number names for others

 

[MCR247]

Also not clear why they thought they needed a name for 707s, but don't seem to have a name for 376s. Why the inconsistency of names for some types, but class number names for others

I mean I would say it’s pretty clear. Marketing. The 707s were a new (to them) fleet they were introducing. Logically it does make sense they want to make that sound as great and impressive as they can. Plus these trains have aircon and other features no other SE Metro stock has.

The class 376s aren’t new, and SE would have no reason to start naming trains approaching the middle of their life.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Also not clear why they thought they needed a name for 707s, but don't seem to have a name for 376s. Why the inconsistency of names for some types, but class number names for others

I thought 376s had some name like "Electrostar Metro", but can find no reference to them being called anything other than simply Electrostars.

 

[Trainguy34]

I thought 376s had some name like "Electrostar Metro", but can find no reference to them being called anything other than simply Electrostars.

Personally I call them Electrostar Inferiors as they are uncomfortable giant tin cans.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Possibly... additional info for what trains are likely to have toilet facilities (or not)...?

 

[Frontera2]

The 707's are branded as "City Beams" with a big logo saying the same on the side (bit like the "Kent Link Networker" branding that used to be applied to the 465 / 466's) The name comes from two things - firstly, they are the "Desiro City" class as another has mentioned, the "Beam" is because you can see through from one end to another - so you could in effect shine a beam of light from one end to the other (and they are very "bright" inside)
https://newsroom.southeasternrailwa...er-smarter-new-city-beam-trains-enter-service - look at the "notes to editors"

 

[Purple Train]

Possibly... additional info for what trains are likely to have toilet facilities (or not)...?

I'm not quite sure whether you phrased this as a genuine question or a rhetorical question - sorry - but yes, it is for this purpose.

 

[3141]

The 707's are branded as "City Beams" with a big logo saying the same on the side (bit like the "Kent Link Networker" branding that used to be applied to the 465 / 466's) The name comes from two things - firstly, they are the "Desiro City" class as another has mentioned, the "Beam" is because you can see through from one end to another - so you could in effect shine a beam of light from one end to the other (and they are very "bright" inside)
https://newsroom.southeasternrailwa...er-smarter-new-city-beam-trains-enter-service - look at the "notes to editors"

Thank you for unearthing South Eastern's "explanation". So at least they know why they gave them that name, which might possibly be reassuring. But was it worth the effort? Who cares? No and no-one.

 

[Trackman]

The 707's are branded as "City Beams" with a big logo saying the same on the side

A poor logo at that.

Anyway, has anyone thought of a nickname for them yet?
I think they look angry or even menacing.

 

[AirRail]

A poor logo at that.

Anyway, has anyone thought of a nickname for them yet?
I think they look angry or even menacing.

I think most users of them are very happy. So i wouldn't think any nickname would be anything negative. Obviously the addition of a toilet would make them pretty much perfect for the routes they've been assigned to do...

 

[Lknowles78]

What is the point? People won’t travel on them any more than if they were called Desiro City! Can you imagine it? ”oh let’s ditch the car and go on the train because it’s now called a Citybeam”.

It’s like buying a new BMW and calling it a trifle! ”come on kids get in the nice new trifle” “oh it’s much better than the lettuce you used to drive mum”

 

[Mikey C]

And while having aircon makes them unique for SE metro passengers, they're hardly unique to the rail network or special (unlike the Javelin for example) that having a marketing name makes sense.

Indeed they're basically the same train that operates Thameslink services on a couple of the same routes.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Anyway, has anyone thought of a nickname for them yet?

Quite a few called them "Boeings" when they were with SWR ( think of the class number... )

I am aware of one nickname going round for them which rhymes with "City Beam" but I'm not going to repeat it on here in full as it might not meet the forum standards for "family friendly" wordings; the second word is "beans" though... I'm sure you can work out what the first word is...

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Beamers

Oh; wasn't this name given to BMWs once?

 

[TRAX]

Beamers

Oh; wasn't this name given to BMWs once?

For BMW motorbikes yes, beamer and beemer.
Bimmer for BMW cars.
Still more or less used in BMW enthusiast circles these days.

 

[gmaguire]

I assumed that the “City” part of City Beam was a reference to The City of London, as in they beam you to The City. IIRC they were first used on Cannon Street services.

 

[185]

I mean I would say it’s pretty clear. . . . Marketing.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ^terribly bad

 

[Mikey C]

The 707s are well used now. At Cannon Street on Saturday all 3 trains in the platform, plus the 1 departing, were 707s, and the ones in the platform were all 10 cars. A shame 014 had been graffitied.

 

[43066]

The 707s are well used now. At Cannon Street on Saturday all 3 trains in the platform, plus the 1 departing, were 707s, and the ones in the platform were all 10 cars. A shame 014 had been graffitied.

Yes, very decent units that have settled in well. As a regular SE Metro commuter I’m always pleased when one hoves into view!

 

[brad465]

Have the final two from SWR entered service with SE now?

 

[Stephen42]

Have the final two from SWR entered service with SE now?

Yes, Southeastern confirmed in a press release two weeks ago that the introduction was complete. It's not clear if they are running any additional services in place of Networkers or just rotating round the existing 26 diagrams over 30 units instead of 28.

Even more Southeastern customers can now enjoy travelling on the newest trains in the fleet as two additional Class 707 City Beams come into service.

These are the final two trains from a 30-strong South Western Railway (SWR) fleet to transfer across to the new operator.

The first City Beams were introduced onto the Southeastern network in September 2021 and the transfer of the remaining two trains means this cascade is now complete.

City Beams have proved to be very popular with customers; They are light, bright and spacious with accessible interiors that have two wheelchair spaces for every five carriages.

The modern customer information systems show where there is space on board and there is Wi-Fi and handy power sockets to keep passengers charged up and connected while on the move.

They also have air-conditioned carriages, as well as improved heating and ventilation for customer comfort.

The last two units were switched over from the SWR red livery into Southeastern blue at the Gillingham depot following their transfer on 7 September.