Transferred ‘377s’ begin new duties with Southeastern

Class 377s transferred from Govia Thameslink Railway and Southern have started to enter traffic with Southeastern.

Fifteen four-car ‘377/5s’ have moved from GTR, having been made redundant there following the introduction of Class 700s on the Thameslink route.

Additionally, two Class 377/1s (377163/164) will move from Southern to Southeastern. All 17 electric multiple units will require modifications including the installation of WiFi.

Southeastern already has 377501-377508, which transferred from GTR last December. Also now in traffic with the operator are 377509/511/518/519/521, while others have moved to Ashford and Selhurst for modifications. Still to enter traffic are 377510/512517/520/`522/523.

All are due in traffic by the end of November, offering an extra 5,000 seats into London in the peak.

The deal has been done via the Department for Transport. It means that all the ‘377/5s’ ordered by Southern and sub-leased to First Capital Connect (and later GTR) have still to work for the operator, almost a decade after they were first ordered.

Southeastern Managing Director David Statham said: “Longer trains will mean more seats, more space and more comfortable journeys. Southeastern has worked very closely with the Department for Transport and Govia Thameslink Railway to deliver this extra capacity for passengers.”

The introduction of these EMUs means more peak-time trains on the Maidstone East route can feature Class 375 or ‘377’ Electrostars. Some trains can double in length.

Trains to Hayes, Bexleyheath, Woolwich, Sidcup, Bromley South and Grove Park can be lengthened from eight-car to ten-car trains, and from six to eight-car trains, as Class 465/466 Networkers internally cascaded by the Electrostars can be used there.

Southern has been able to release its Class 377/1s, following the re-introduction of Class 377/2s after their return from Thameslink earlier this year.