Electrostars an underrated train?

[TRAX]

I don’t think they’re underrated. Passengers and enthusiasts generally like them, and have got used to them after more than 20 years in service, so I think the right word is probably overlooked rather than underrated.

 

[physics34]

Voyagers were later: Electrostars first entered service in 1999 by AdTranz as the Class 357. Voyagers weren't even constructed until 2000, entering service in 2001.

Turbostars were even earlier, the Class 168s built by AdTranz entering service in 1998.

Bombardier later bought AdTranz in 2001.

But it goes to show the vast difference between what was an original Bombardier design (the Voyagers, utterly terrible), and the ABB/AdTranz Electrostars and Turbostars, which are fantastic. Bombardier just slapped their names on an existing design.

And the Electrostar/Turbostars designs owe a lot to BREL's Networkers - later built by ABB, which became AdTranz - which might be why they were so successful...

Yes alot of the networker blueprints were used for the Electrostar design. I guess all dimensions kept the same. I hear turbostars are a tad narrower... for reasons unknown? (Maybe cos they are longer)

 

[william.martin]

Forgive me for always praising these trains but I've grown to love Electrostars. With many around twenty years old perhaps it's nostalgia too (and their association with my home town) as I have vivid memories of their arrival whilst I was at secondary school. The Rail magazine at the time read 'Late but worth the wait'

Obviously it's a shame the seats on later batches got harder and the ride quality leaves a lot to be desired but if seated in the outer cars or in any coach of earlier batches they offer a superb travelling environment.

All seats align with windows, the trains are lovely and quiet and even the noise they make is relaxing. Reading lights come as standard and there is even a privacy screen in the /4 and /5s outer cars. Now plug sockets are being fitted they really are wonderful to travel on.

To improve them proper upholstery should be fitted and the awful centre car seats (of most 377s) improved. I wonder how many muggles know there are two seating options?

Any thoughts?

The electrostars are great, though they would be even better if they were gave a full refurb, this would especially be popular with southern customers on long routes such as the east coast way and the Brighton mainline, and most importantly they need to get rid of the ironing board seats.

 

[JonathanH]

The electrostars are great, though they would be even better if they were gave a full refurb, this would especially be popular with southern customers on long routes such as the east coast way and the Brighton mainline, and most importantly they need to get rid of the ironing board seats.

Replacing seats on the electrostars is simply wasteful, and a very expensive exercise, particularly given passengers already have the option to sit in the area with 2+2 seats.

 

[physics34]

Replacing seats on the electrostars is simply wasteful, and a very expensive exercise, particularly given passengers already have the option to sit in the area with 2+2 seats.

Ive suggested in the past that the seating get moved around. Select a 'pool' of metro 377s and remove the 2x2 seating and swap them over with the 3x2 seating in the 'sussex pool', ala like CIGs and VEPs of old. Of course that removes the current flexiblity Southern has with the units....

More cushioning and replacing those damn awful seat covers would be a happy medium.

 

[Mikey C]

The SE 2+2 375s are really nice trains, I prefer the seat covers to those on the Southern 2+2 377s

Yes they have the diesel rumble, but the Chiltern 168s have a very nice interior too.

 

[321over360]

Voyagers were later: Electrostars first entered service in 1999 by AdTranz as the Class 357. Voyagers weren't even constructed until 2000, entering service in 2001.

Turbostars were even earlier, the Class 168s built by AdTranz entering service in 1998.

Bombardier later bought AdTranz in 2001.

But it goes to show the vast difference between what was an original Bombardier design (the Voyagers, utterly terrible), and the ABB/AdTranz Electrostars and Turbostars, which are fantastic. Bombardier just slapped their names on an existing design.

And the Electrostar/Turbostars designs owe a lot to BREL's Networkers - later built by ABB, which became AdTranz - which might be why they were so successful...

Even the Aventras take design elements from the Networkers too

 

[RichJF]

Even the Aventras take design elements from the Networkers too

Lots of design elements taken from the Adtranz Class 424 too https://sremg.org.uk/emu/class424.shtml

Prototype built on the underframe of an old 4 Cig to meet modern (at the time) crash worthiness.