Class 376

[Voyager 2093]

I thought Class 378s were the worst EMUs you could get in London, they are awkwardly laid out, slow, uncharacterised, just pretty much horrible trains to travel on. They do their job but that is nonetheless.

However all this was until I recently started using Southeastern's Class 376s, they are simply the worst trains I have ever travelled on. I dread getting on them and always look for alternatives when I see one in the bay at Charing Cross heading to my destination.

They have a very stupid seat layout, which makes standing without having your rear end in someone's face fairly impossible (I'm not the fattest of persons either), they have this putrid smell which I'm not sure why they have. The interior panelling is unnecessarily exaggerated and can be used to make more space.

The air conditioning doesn't work and the opening windows are so bloody small, they don't allow any breeze in. The interior lighting looks so dull and depressing and they have an awful ride quality.

The seats are hideous, they might as well have just not put cushions on the seats, its an insult. The windows design doesn't allow for much seeing outside. They are just hideous in every way. I hate them and just wanted to share my hatred. Anybody think similar?

To conclude I used to think 378s were bad but then I got on a 376 and it changed my view completely.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

You mention air conditioning, though I think (not sure) that the 376s are the only post-privatisation rolling stock that doesn't have air-conditioning fitted with the possible exception of the 139s.

 

[transmanche]

[On Class 378s] They do their job but that is nonetheless.

Isn't that their raison d'etre? Just to 'do their job'? Which they do very well.

 

[joeykins82]

I don't know if you've ever tried boarding a service from Highbury & Islington towards Stratford during the evening peak but I for one am glad that the 378s have longitudinal seating!

 

[TEW]

The air conditioning doesn't work and the opening windows are so bloody small, they don't allow any breeze in. The interior lighting looks so dull and depressing and they have an awful ride quality.

As someone above mentioned they don't have air conditioning, so that's why it will feel like it isn't working. They aren't my favourite trains either, in the recent thread on the most uncomfortable seating I nominated the Class 376 seating. But, they are only used on pretty short services and they're pretty decent at soaking up crowds of people in the peaks.

 

[Electrostar]

When Southeastern has shortened yet an other service due to unavailability of stock I'd much rather a 376 than a 465, and not just because of the extra carriage. Sure the seats are firm but the 2+2 seating and wide gangways and vestibules mean a lot more commuters can pack in for what are on the whole short journeys. The luggage racks also make for extra seating! On the whole in the morning and evening rush everyone can get on a 378, which is more than can be said for a 465. Personally I like them just as I like the 378s with their longitudinal seating. The 378s have the bonus of wide, open gangways between the carriages of course.

 

[user15681]

I seem to remember (although I could be wrong) the reason behind the lack of air conditioning being that the frequent stopping and opening of doors would have made it pretty much pointless. I've found the windows sufficiently large whenever I've been on them.

These units were designed as high density metro units and as such, are not the most comfortable in all aspects. The majority of people will be on them for a short period of time, so comfort is traded for capacity in terms of seating, layout. Saying that, I can perhaps understand your frustration if you're coming from Hayes/Dartford/Gravesend.

The lighting is very similar, if not the same, to 375s and there aren't really issues with it on them. The smell is probably a cleaning fluid and nothing unique to the unit.

Whilst my experiences of 376s are limited and so what I describe above may not be general to all units (I may have been on a one off good one), I would personally say they do their job. They move a large amount of people quickly.

 

[Mikey C]

As an irregular traveller on Southeastern, there seems to be no obvious split between the usage of 376s and 465s, with both operating the same inner suburban routes. There's a bizarre contrast between the 2, the 5 abreast 465s being crammed with seats, but quite low backed and with poor legroom, whereas the 376s have far fewer seats, and are 4 abreast, while the seats themselves are thin but have decent legroom and are very high backed.
I imagine the 376s will be the final non airconditioned trains in service on the NR network...

 

[BritishRail83]

when I used to get the 08:00 from Woolwich Arsenal to Charing Cross, which was 2 class 376 units, I found that the perch seats gave me back ache...but i've put it all behind me now! Other than that I quite like them. they do what they say on the tin..high capacity suburban rolling stock.

 

[transmanche]

I seem to remember (although I could be wrong) the reason behind the lack of air conditioning being that the frequent stopping and opening of doors would have made it pretty much pointless.

Hard to justify when the very similar 378s have air-con.

 

[user15681]

Hard to justify when the very similar 378s have air-con.

Indeed, perhaps a U-turn was appropriate when it was realised it would be viable, just posting the reason I had been told.

 

[JB25]

Funny... I was looking at 376s coming out of London Bridge yesterday thinking, they have a really good front view compared to 375s, 377s and 378s.

 

[plastictaffy]

I seem to remember (although I could be wrong) the reason behind the lack of air conditioning being that the frequent stopping and opening of doors would have made it pretty much pointless.

Isn't some of the new tube stock being fitted with A/C??

 

[transmanche]

Isn't some of the new tube stock being fitted with A/C??

S Stock has it. It's also been touted that the 'New Tube for London' will have it too.

 

[plastictaffy]

I thought so. I was sure I didn't dream it!!

 

[user15681]

Isn't some of the new tube stock being fitted with A/C??

Yes, S stock has it and it's intended for replacements of deep stock. As above, I personally believe it should have had it, but that's the only reason I've heard for it not being present. I believe the 376s do have pressure ventilation though, so retrospective air con should be possible in place of it.

As an aside, to prove a point of them doing their job of moving a large amount of people, a fully loaded 10 car 376 can hold about 1500 passengers, with only 400 or so actual seats.