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08 Jan 2025

Southeastern announces major upgrade of its Class 376 fleet in partnership with Alstom and Eversholt Rail

Southeastern announces major upgrade of its Class 376 fleet in partnership with Alstom and Eversholt Rail: Class 376 refreshed exterior

  • Extensive interior and exterior mid-life refresh of all 36 Class 376 Electrostars.
  • Enhancements include at seat USB/power sockets, energy-efficient LED lighting and a blue exterior wrap.
  • Class 376 upgrade is part of Southeastern’s wider fleet improvement programme that is delivering better journeys for customers.

Southeastern is proud to announce a major refurbishment of its Class 376 trains, in collaboration with its industry partners Alstom and Eversholt Rail.

This transformative programme will enhance customer comfort, improve operational efficiency, and refresh a fleet that has been a cornerstone of Southeastern’s Metro services since its introduction in 2004.

The work is getting underway at the Ashford Maintenance Centre with the first units to receive the new blue livery and LED lighting scheduled to be in customer service from the spring. 

The interior refresh, which includes refurbished seats and a full re-paint, will start later in the summer at the Grove Park depot, with the first units due into customer service before the end of the year. 

Mark Johnson, Engineering Director at Southeastern, said:

“I’m thrilled that we will be upgrading the Class 376s with our partners at Alstom and Eversholt Rail. The mid-life refresh will deliver better journeys for our customers and keep these trains in tip-top condition for years to come.

“This builds on the upgrades across our other fleets, and the newer trains we are bringing in, as well as the ongoing procurement of new trains to replace our older Networkers.

“It all adds up to great news for our passengers across South East London, East Sussex and Kent.”

Peter Broadley, Commercial Director UK and Ireland at Alstom, said:

“We are proud to partner with Southeastern and Eversholt Rail on this transformative mid-life upgrade for the Class 376 fleet. By delivering a refreshed, modernised fleet with enhanced passenger amenities and operational efficiency, we’re ensuring these Derby-built trains continue to provide reliable and comfortable journeys for Southeastern’s customers.

“This project is a testament to Alstom’s commitment to innovation and excellence in supporting our operators and improving passenger experience across the UK rail network.”

Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Southeastern and Alstom to deliver this refurbishment programme to upgrade our Class 376 fleet. 

“This refurbishment follows on from the recent investment on both our Class 375 and Class 395 fleets, underlining our commitment to enhancing the passenger experience for Southeastern’s customers”.

Contact information

David Meechan

Communications Manager - Major Programmes

david.meechan@southeasternrailway.co.uk

Notes to editors

Fleet Improvements

  • The refurbishment of the Class 376 trains is part of Southeastern’s wider fleet improvement programme:
  • It follows the introduction of 30 City Beam trains to provide a better and more reliable service on Southeastern's Metro routes.
  • The £27 million project to refurbish Southeastern's highspeed trains continues. At the end of last year, 23 of the 29 Class 395s had received a full interior refresh, including new seats and carpets, LED lighting, and USB at-seat charging. 
  • It was announced in November 2024 that an extra 13 of the Class 377 trains are to enter Southeastern service following their transfer from Govia Thameslink Railway. The 377s are more reliable than the older Networker fleet and they provide a better onboard experience.
  • The procurement process to replace the fleet of Networkers with new or upgraded trains is ongoing.

About Southeastern

Southeastern is one of the UK’s most reliable operators with more than 1,700 services a day to 181 stations across Kent, south-east London and East Sussex.

It operates the UK's first domestic highspeed service and carried 128 million customers last year. It employs more than 4,500 people.

Southeastern is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd, formerly 'DOHL'). DFTO also has responsibility for LNER, Northern Trains Limited and TransPennine Trains Limited.

About Alstom

With 37 locations and 6,000 employees, Alstom is the UK and Ireland’s leading supplier of new trains and train services, and a leading signalling and rail infrastructure provider. Alstom have built, or are building, just under 40 per cent of the UK mainline train fleet; as well as the entire fleets in service with London Underground and Dublin Luas. Half of all UK rail journeys are made on an Alstom train, while its portfolio of smart products is the widest on the market.

Further information can be obtained on www.alstom.com/uk-and-ireland  

About Eversholt Rail

Eversholt Rail owns UK passenger and freight rolling stock and has more than 30 years’ experience in the rail industry. Eversholt Rail has invested more than £3bn in new trains since privatisation and continually invests in existing fleets to maintain quality and reliability to deliver a better passenger experience. Eversholt Rail has a proud history of innovation and plays an integral role in the growth and modernisation of the UK rail sector by introducing new products and technologies into the market.

Further information can be obtained on www.eversholtrail.co.uk

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