Ten-year-old Class 379s to be stored from January

GREATER ANGLIA Class 379s, only introduced in 2011, are to be removed from traffic and placed into store from January, Railways Illustrated understands.

Built by Bombardier at Derby Litchurch Lane for the Stansted Express route, as well as services from London Liverpool Street to Cambridge, Ely and King’s Lynn, the four-car electric multiple units were originally due off lease in August 2019 but delays to the introduction of the Stadler Class 745 replacements and the subsequent heavy delays to the delivery of Alstom Class 720s has seen the lease extended. However, all Stansted Express trains are now operated by 745s, while increasing numbers of 720s are finally being introduced on the West Anglia Main Line.

Railways Illustrated understands that space is required at Ilford, where the 379s are based, and so the EMUS will be stored at various GA facilities including Clacton, Colchester, Harwich, and Southend Victoria. The 100mph EMUS are owned by Akiem and despite being fully compliant with accessibility rules, they currently have no new operator lined up for them.

Dan Adkins 379007 passes Bethnal Green, working 2H34 from London Liverpool Street to Cambridge on April 10, 2012. These units, which have been in service for the past decade, are now being placed into store.