Stand down for GTR 365s

GOVIA THAMESLINK Railway (GTR) is set to stand down its fleet of 21 Class 365 EMUs, used on Great Northern services out of King’s Cross to Peterborough and King’s Lynn. Most of their work is peakonly services and for much of the day they stand idle, especially during the current reduced timetable. When additional peak services return, they will be provided by Class 387/2s spare from Gatwick Express duties while the airport station is being upgraded. But for the future GTR will work with the Department for Transport to introduce additional trains as required, enabling the 387s to be returned to the Gatwick Express.

Of the 40 four-car Class 365 fleet, 19 units are already in store, having been withdrawn by GTR when Class 700s were introduced, although ten were temporarily used by ScotRail while issues with the windscreens of its Class 385s were resolved. The fleet is owned by DfT subsidiary Train Fleet (2019) Ltd, managed alongside the Department’s Operator of Last Resort function, ownership having transferred from Eversholt Rail in 2019.