Last day for Class 365s with Great Northern
THE end of the line has come for the Class 365 EMUs on the books of the Great Northern arm of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). The sets have been in service for just over 25 years.
The dual voltage ‘Networker’ trains were the last to be built by ABB at Holgate carriage works, York, and when new, 16 sets – Nos. 365001-016 – worked initially for Network South East and a short time later went to work West Anglia Great Northern services, their third rail shoes being removed. Since then, all sets have remained north of the Thames, working to King’s Lynn and Peterborough.
ScotRail loan
In April 2018, 10 sets were lent to ScotRail due to a problem with the Class 385 windscreen curvature, but with the order for Class 387 and 700s on GN services, the 365s’ role was one of ‘peak busters’, supplementing peak services. Following the downturn in air traffic, GTR has transferred some Gatwick 387s north, which has allowed the 365s’ service to end on May 15.
A clause in the original procurement contract saw ownership of the sets pass to the Department for Transport in August 2019, and now the Government has 40 four-car trains to find a use for. One set, No. 365526, was written off after the Potter’s Bar crash in 2002, while four others have been damaged in collisions with vehicles at level crossings in the Fens.
To mark their farewell, on May 14 a 12-car formation was used on the 18.12 King’s Cross to Peterborough. However, the next day, two sets, Nos. 365520/522, worked the 09.10 Peterborough-King’s Cross before returning to Peterborough Sidings ecs for the final time.
Saying goodbye
GTR chief operating officer Steve White said: “We marked another milestone in the progressive renewal of our fleet as we said goodbye to our Class 365s.
“With the introduction of our summer 2021 timetable, newer air-conditioned Class 387 trains will temporarily support the GN network. This will help passenger recovery from Covid-19 and also reduce costs, ensuring better value for taxpayers.”