We’re halfway there: Train fleet upgrade reaches critical milestone

Notes to editors

The Class 375 Electrostar fleet was introduced by Connex South Eastern between 2001 and 2005. 112 units were built, as five sub-classes:

• Class 375/3 – three car trains
• Class 375/6 – four car trains with ‘dual voltage’ capability meaning they can work on the ‘third rail’ electrification across our network, or underneath overhead electrification.
• Class 375/7 – four car trains
• Class 375/9 – four car trains

The Class 375 fleet is owned by train owning company Eversholt Rail Limited.

The contract to modify the fleet was let by Eversholt Rail in August 2021.

About LED lighting

• Compared to flourescent bulbs, LED lights use 75-80% less energy to produce the same amount of light. For example, a 60-watt flourescent light bulb can be replaced with an LED bulb that uses only 10-14 watts of electricity to produce the same amount of light.
• The exact amount of energy savings will depend on the specific type and wattage of the LED and incandescent lights being compared, but in general, LED lights are significantly more energy-efficient and can save a substantial amount of energy over their lifetime.
• Lighting accounts for approximately 20% of global electricity consumption, and around 6% of carbon emissions globally. Studies done by UNEP estimate that if we don’t address lighting, global energy consumption for lighting will grow by 60% by 2030 with significant impacts for climate change.
• LED lights also have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs, meaning they need to be replaced less frequently. This reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and also reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing and transporting new bulbs. They also require less maintenance hence reduced costs and further emissions related to that. The lifespan of an average LED light is 50,000 hours. Depending on how you use it, its life may be as long as 100,000 hours. This means that an LED light can last anywhere from six to 12 years before you need to replace it. That is 40 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
• Increased productivity: Proper lighting can also increase productivity and reduce fatigue. LED lights are capable of producing brighter, more focused light, which can help people stay alert and focused on their work and more importantly LED lights don’t tend to flicker like fluorescent lights, which can cause headaches and migraines in some people. This makes LED lights a good choice for those who are sensitive to flickering lights.
• LED lights do not contain harmful substances such as mercury, which is found in some other types of bulbs, making them safer to dispose of, and less harmful to the environment.

Contact information

For further information contact:

Southeastern Press Office
0330 095 9091
press.office@southeasternrailway.co.uk
www.southeasternrailway.co.uk 

About Southeastern

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL’. DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

Southeastern is the trading name of SE TRAINS LIMITED. Registered in England under company 03266762. Registered office address: Second Floor, 4 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AU.

SE Trains Limited is a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort Limited - ‘DOHL’.

About Eversholt Rail

Eversholt Rail owns UK passenger and freight rolling stock and has more than 25 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