The 'Electrostars' - Which do you prefer, the new or old version?

[LoverOfTrains]

Hi guys,

I would just like to ask for your opinion on a question that I have been wanting to ask for a long time. We all know that Bombardier have built the Class 375, 377 and 379 'Electrostars' (They have also built the 376s and 378 'Capitalstars' but we are leaving them out) but, there are 2 different designs of Electrostar, you have the entire Class 375 and 377/1s, /2s, /3s, /4s and 377/5s which are of the original 'Electrostar' design and then you have the Class 377/6s and /7s, 379s and the Class 387s which are curently being built. These more recent 'Electrostars' are different in design. The most noticeable differences are the windows, the 5-car formation of DMSO(A)+MSO+TSO+MSO+DMSO(B) (377/6 and 377/7 only) and the bright LED lights provided for the use of CCTV (what I've heard, correct me if i'm wrong) on the obstacle deflector on the front driving cabs. So tell me, what is your opinion? Which do you prefer?

In my opinion, I prefer the original design on the 375s and 377/1s, /2s, /3s, /4s and /5s. The exterior on the original design looks better and they don't look flimsy as the 377/6s and 377/7s. This dosen't mean I don't like the 377/6s and 377/s but I just prefer 375s. Maybe it's because I'm used to them since I live in Sittingbourne on the Southeastern which sees a lot of Electrostar action and I get the train everyday.

Anyway, please may I have your opinion. I have always been interested in what other enthusiasts like me think and what any rail staff think. Sorry if I have worded this a bit wrong. I just don't want to be told off on here for doing something wrong. See a few months ago since I was new on here at the time and I didn't quite know my way round the site and I posted a couple of posts in the wrong section, as well as I was told off for having my opinon on a question on the forum a while ago. Also I got told I would be better off on another rail forum website which is a bit harsh. This is the best rail related forum on the web.

Anyway, everything is fine now.

Thanks guys

 

[physics34]

Don't forget the older 375 and 377s have two different designs of headlight clusters too.

 

[LoverOfTrains]

Don't forget the older 375 and 377s have two different designs of headlight clusters too.

oh yeah. Always forget about the headlight clusters. Thanks physics34

 

[gazthomas]

What about c2c's 357's? The daddy of them all!

 

[LoverOfTrains]

Of course the 357s! Lovely units they are! Shame we don't get them down on the Southern. Well at least for me because I live in Sittingbourne on the SE network.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Of course the 357s! Lovely units they are! Shame we don't get them down on the Southern. Well at least for me because I live in Sittingbourne on the SE network.

Sounds like I don't like the trains I get down in Sittingbourne which is not true. I love the trains we get through Sittingbourne especially the 395s. Just a shame we can't have the 357s down here. They are AC overhead only but they are provisioned for 3rd rail DC. They would have to be fitted with 3rd rail pick-up shoes

 

[Class377/5]

Personally for me the best Electrostars are the 379 which due to the Airport spec are far more comfortable although I've rarely done anything longe than 10mins on them. Will also say the Electrostar mkII design (379, 377/6, 377/7 fleets) are far more airy than the original design started with the 357s 15 years ago.

Hoping when we get the 387 that they will be of a similar seating as the 379s rather than the 377/6 horrible seating.

 

[causton]

Definitely agree with the 379 being the best. Especially with free WiFi (not much to do with the class of train I know but yes) and the plug sockets... Then again I don't find the 377/6 and 377/7 seats *that* uncomfortable...

 

[hassaanhc]

Definitely agree with the 379 being the best. Especially with free WiFi (not much to do with the class of train I know but yes) and the plug sockets... Then again I don't find the 377/6 and 377/7 seats *that* uncomfortable...

I find the 377/6 onwards seats comfortable :P It is the seats in the 357 I tend to have an issue with :?

As for which variant is my favourite, I'm not really a fan of the 375, 377/1 and 377/3 ones where the interior lighting is very dim. Need to sort out the button issue on the Mk2 ones, the Southern ones are inflicted too.

377602 the other day:

(The close button here is missing the bit in the middle as well, had to press the outside button. And the button for the nearest inter-car door is the same).

 

[causton]

I find the 377/6 onwards seats comfortable :P It is the seats in the 357 I tend to have an issue with :?

As for which variant is my favourite, I'm not really a fan of the 375, 377/1 and 377/3 ones where the interior lighting is very dim. Need to sort out the button issue on the Mk2 ones, the Southern ones are inflicted too.

377602 the other day:
View attachment 19234
(The close button here is missing the bit in the middle as well, had to press the outside button. And the button for the nearest inter-car door is the same).

Thought it was just the 379s affected

 

[LLivery]

I'm not really a huge fan of the 357s - a bit too dark inside for my liking but I still like them. 379s are great, would be better if they had the soundproofing of the original Electrostars and was washed once in a while! I see nothing wrong with the newest 377s - I kind of like them slightly more than the older 377s. My fav are the 375s, I know they are exactly the same as the 377s but I just prefer them for some reason, though I hardly use them.

I know you aren't counting them but I really like the 376s (though they could really do with Air Con). I try to avoid the 378s everyday opting for Southern every time. I just hate longitudinal seating.

 

[physics34]

has anyone noticed that the earlier 375/377s smell inside different that the later batches of 377s (the ones delivered with southern interiors)? Its almost a moldy/BO smell.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
dont like the 357s. Sort out a decent livery for them and change the awful green and purple interior....(unless thats already been done, havent been on one for a while).

 

[GatwickDepress]

has anyone noticed that the earlier 375/377s smell inside different that the later batches of 377s (the ones delivered with southern interiors)? Its almost a moldy/BO smell.

Yup, it's especially noticeable on the earlier Southeastern units as well. It's a cooler musty sort of smell, like a dusty larder.

 

[physics34]

Yup, it's especially noticeable on the earlier Southeastern units as well. It's a cooler musty sort of smell, like a dusty larder.

ah im not the only one then. have no idea what it is.....

The older units on southern that have been 'refreshed' still have the smell so i doubt its the seats/carpets.

Maybe a different style of air con or something...

 

[Fincra5]

I like the new 6 series, I find the seats to be quite comfortable.. maybe not for ORE-VIC (if they ever did such a thing)... The train seems more modern inside. And the plugs

 

[Class 317722]

I like both...

The newer electrostars because they are more modern but I prefer the seats in the older ones e.g. the class 375/6/7/8

high density doesn't go well with the electrostars

 

[RAGNARØKR]

Hi guys,

I would just like to ask for your opinion on a question that I have been wanting to ask for a long time. We all know that Bombardier have built the Class 375, 377 and 379 'Electrostars' (They have also built the 376s and 378 'Capitalstars' but we are leaving them out) but, there are 2 different designs of Electrostar, you have the entire Class 375 and 377/1s, /2s, /3s, /4s and 377/5s which are of the original 'Electrostar' design and then you have the Class 377/6s and /7s, 379s and the Class 387s which are curently being built. These more recent 'Electrostars' are different in design. The most noticeable differences are the windows, the 5-car formation of DMSO(A)+MSO+TSO+MSO+DMSO(B) (377/6 and 377/7 only) and the bright LED lights provided for the use of CCTV (what I've heard, correct me if i'm wrong) on the obstacle deflector on the front driving cabs. So tell me, what is your opinion? Which do you prefer?

In my opinion, I prefer the original design on the 375s and 377/1s, /2s, /3s, /4s and /5s. The exterior on the original design looks better and they don't look flimsy as the 377/6s and 377/7s. This dosen't mean I don't like the 377/6s and 377/s but I just prefer 375s. Maybe it's because I'm used to them since I live in Sittingbourne on the Southeastern which sees a lot of Electrostar action and I get the train everyday.

Anyway, please may I have your opinion. I have always been interested in what other enthusiasts like me think and what any rail staff think. Sorry if I have worded this a bit wrong. I just don't want to be told off on here for doing something wrong. See a few months ago since I was new on here at the time and I didn't quite know my way round the site and I posted a couple of posts in the wrong section, as well as I was told off for having my opinon on a question on the forum a while ago. Also I got told I would be better off on another rail forum website which is a bit harsh. This is the best rail related forum on the web.

Anyway, everything is fine now.

Thanks guys

The end cars of the South Central series with 2+2 seating in facing bays. The second tranche are tidier than the first, which have fussy lighting detail. The 2+3 seating in the centre cars is horribly uncomfortable though. Pity they did not produce an end-door version for the longer distance routes with fewer stops.

The 2+3 seating in the class 376 is very much better as it has a proper cushion rake and lumbar support. The London Overground Electrostars are hard to fault, for the service they run on. They are essentially an update of the Oerlikon stock which ran on some of the same routes from 1916 till the mid-1950s.

 

[jopsuk]

The 2+3 seating in the class 376 is very much better as it has a proper cushion rake and lumbar support.

Um, class 376 has 2+2 seating with a wide aisle, not 2+3.

 

[al.currie93]

Can't speak for 379s, but definitely the older style... the 377/6 is the sole reason I will never travel from Ockley to London Vicky again...

 

[Mikey C]

Were there problems with the flush style glazing on the original Electrostars and Turbostars, as the latest windows visually are a retrograde step, especially as glass scratching is less of an issue now than it was 10 years ago?

 

[swt_passenger]

Were there problems with the flush style glazing on the original Electrostars and Turbostars, as the latest windows visually are a retrograde step, especially as glass scratching is less of an issue now than it was 10 years ago?

I think it's because the ribbon glazing takes longer to replace and has to be done in workshop conditions, but the older type can be replaced almost anywhere by a man with a van.

 

[387star]

Love the 377/1 batch with low density comfy seating and the 377/3 though less now the full sized tables have been ripped out

Pathetic even after a refresh the flip down tables still squeak

However said southern refresh has improved the side panels which looked very cheap and nasty when they first came out with many poorly aligned panels and connective strips...carpeted vestibules smart aa well

The 377/1 batch with 2 plus 2 only in ends of each car confuses passengers

 

[RAGNARØKR]

Um, class 376 has 2+2 seating with a wide aisle, not 2+3.

I was talking about the seat design.

 

[physics34]

I think it's because the ribbon glazing takes longer to replace and has to be done in workshop conditions, but the older type can be replaced almost anywhere by a man with a van.

I heard that the ribbon glazing is fixed.with.a special.glue that takes ages to set.

 

[al.currie93]

I heard that the ribbon glazing is fixed.with.a special.glue that takes ages to set.

They're probably all factors, but I'd guess that the prime reason would be cost

 

[Tetchytyke]

Maybe a different style of air con or something...

It's probably the air-con that Bombardier have used. The S-stock has a faint smell of cannabis too.

 

[MCR247]

The S-stock has a faint smell of cannabis too.

Yeah I noticed that when in London over the weekend

 

[chris11256]

I happen to like the 357's, ignoring the fact that I commute to work on them every day. Good condition for 15 year old trains.

 

[causton]

It's probably the air-con that Bombardier have used. The S-stock has a faint smell of cannabis too.

Faint?

When they were new it was so strong! It has decreased over time though... or have we all become used to it...