Gatwick Express stock re-badged to Southern

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Today we actually have more white Southern 387s on the Gatwick Express than red! Two completely white pairs, a single white 4 car, a white+red and a red pair.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Today we actually have more white Southern 387s on the Gatwick Express than red! Two completely white pairs, a single white 4 car, a white+red and a red pair.

I saw that today too. Plus an absolutely glorious looking ex-GWR 387 with Southern branding. I thought it was a new livery, I always wished southern did a livery like that. Ditch the GE and give us our normal Victoria to Brighton trains back

 

[Turtle]

I saw that today too. Plus an absolutely glorious looking ex-GWR 387 with Southern branding. I thought it was a new livery, I always wished southern did a livery like that. Ditch the GE and give us our normal Victoria to Brighton trains back

I agree about that GWR livery. Southern's is not too bad but that GWR one brings back memories of the Southern Railway/Southern Region liveries. Let's hope GBR get rid of that dreary dirty white/washed out grey of Thameslink and GN.

 

[williamn]

I agree about that GWR livery. Southern's is not too bad but that GWR one brings back memories of the Southern Railway/Southern Region liveries. Let's hope GBR get rid of that dreary dirty white/washed out grey of Thameslink and GN.

I saw the GWR unit for the first time today and agree it looks fantastic!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I saw the GWR unit for the first time today and agree it looks fantastic!

The red ones look ridiculous though, on Ore and Southampton services.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

The red ones look ridiculous though, on Ore and Southampton services.

They do indeed.

 

[davetheguard]

Plus an absolutely glorious looking ex-GWR 387 with Southern branding.

I agree about that GWR livery.

I saw the GWR unit for the first time today and agree it looks fantastic!

I don't suppose any of you have a picture do you please?

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I don't suppose any of you have a picture do you please?

I might be able to get one this evening

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I don't suppose any of you have a picture do you please?

 

[williamn]

I’m always pleased to get one of the rebadged trains as they’re in a significantly better state than the original Southern ones. I don’t think the recent refurb touched the seats which often are really grubby.

 

[Lockwood]

And again I wonder how they are dealing with tickets enforcement? If you have people not board the red stopper and get on the non-red express that comes?

 

[stadler]

And again I wonder how they are dealing with tickets enforcement? If you have people not board the red stopper and get on the non-red express that comes?

Well i successfully used this ticket on two Gatwick Express trains on Monday without issue:





Both the train from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria and from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport were checked but the GX OBSs accepted it without question and the gateline people just waved me through.

From my experience they have given up enforcing the brand restrictions since covid. Before covid they were complete jobsworths and the GX OBSs and P13 P14 gateline gestapo would make you buy a new ticket. But since covid it has completely changed and they no longer seem to care.

 

[cle]

It’s totally criminal to charge more at this point, and people should just refuse, and board with Southern tickets.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

It’s totally criminal to charge more at this point, and people should just refuse, and board with Southern tickets.

Today, of five trains working the Gatwick Express circuits, two are made up completely of Southern units and a third is half Southern, half Gatwick Express. Utterly mad.

The funniest part is - say you were at Gatwick Airport at 10am - the 10:02 Southern service to Victoria (from Ore) is a red 8 carriage GX 387/2, and then the 10:09 Gatwick Express service to Victoria right behind it is a white/green 8 carriage SN 387/1!

And this irony is repeated throughout most hours of the day too - e.g. half an hour later - a red GX 387/2 on the 10:32 Southern service to Victoria (from Eastbourne), but the 10:39 Gatwick Express service to Victoria is then another pair of white/green SN units.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Today, of five trains working the Gatwick Express circuits, two are made up completely of Southern units and a third is half Southern, half Gatwick Express. Utterly mad.

The funniest part is - say you were at Gatwick Airport at 10am - the 10:02 Southern service to Victoria (from Ore) is a red 8 carriage GX 387/2, and then the 10:09 Gatwick Express service to Victoria right behind it is a white/green 8 carriage SN 387/1!

And this irony is repeated throughout most hours of the day too - e.g. half an hour later - a red GX 387/2 on the 10:32 Southern service to Victoria (from Eastbourne), but the 10:39 Gatwick Express service to Victoria is then another pair of white/green SN units.

Why is this even happening? The Gatwick Express was only rebranded a decade ago and now it’s already died a death.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Why is this even happening? The Gatwick Express was only rebranded a decade ago and now it’s already died a death.

Common stock pool and rostered / allocated irrespective of livery.
Not a new quirk: in 1990, I photographed Network Southeast liveried 47 573 at Chester, NSE 86 401 at Glasgow Central...

 

[Starmill]

Well i successfully used this ticket on two Gatwick Express trains on Monday without issue:

View attachment 193290

View attachment 193291

Both the train from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria and from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport were checked but the GX OBSs accepted it without question and the gateline people just waved me through.

From my experience they have given up enforcing the brand restrictions since covid. Before covid they were complete jobsworths and the GX OBSs and P13 P14 gateline gestapo would make you buy a new ticket. But since covid it has completely changed and they no longer seem to care.

Is that from the visitor centre in Lewes?

 

[cle]

Today, of five trains working the Gatwick Express circuits, two are made up completely of Southern units and a third is half Southern, half Gatwick Express. Utterly mad.

The funniest part is - say you were at Gatwick Airport at 10am - the 10:02 Southern service to Victoria (from Ore) is a red 8 carriage GX 387/2, and then the 10:09 Gatwick Express service to Victoria right behind it is a white/green 8 carriage SN 387/1!

And this irony is repeated throughout most hours of the day too - e.g. half an hour later - a red GX 387/2 on the 10:32 Southern service to Victoria (from Eastbourne), but the 10:39 Gatwick Express service to Victoria is then another pair of white/green SN units.

It's bonkers, and shows how completely arbitrary and frankly deceptive it is. Clearly there is no additional service or comfort on these green trains! So what's the premium for - not calling at CJ and EC? 5 mins of saving (noting that a London Bridge journey can hit 29 mins, so it's not the fastest to zone 1) - such BS.

 

[davetheguard]

Thanks TT-ONR-NRN!

 

[Railcar]

Southern-liveried 4-car sets include one coach (in positions 2 or 3) with the red stripe doors (meaning toilet/wheelchair/bicycle). Very useful when standing on the platform with a bike, because that coach can be spotted as the train is arriving, unlike the SWR, with their 'bicycle' symbol that can only be seen as the coach flashes by, and means a mad dash up the platform.