British Rail Class 375

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British Rail Class 375 "Electrostar"
375801 at Waterloo East
375801 at Waterloo East

In service 2001 - Current
Manufacturer ADtranz Derby (now Bombardier)
Family name Electrostar
Number built 140 trainsets
Formation 3 cars per trainset (375/3 only)
4 cars per trainset (others)
Operator Southeastern
Specifications
Car length 20.4m
Width 2.80m
Height 3.78m
Maximum speed 100 mph (161 km/h)
Weight 133.1 t (375/3 only)
173.6 t (others)
Power output 1.0 MW (375/3 only)
1.5 MW (others)
Gauge 1,435 mm
Voltage 750 V DC 3rd rail
25 kV AC Overhead (375/6 only)
Interior of Electrostar running on Hastings line
Interior of Electrostar running on Hastings line

The British Rail Class 375 Electrostar electric multiple unit train was built by Bombardier Transportation (previously ADtranz) at their Derby Works, from 1999 to 2005. The Electrostar family, which also includes Classes 357, 376, 377 and 378, is the most numerous type of EMU introduced since the privatisation of British Rail.

Contents

[edit] Description

Like all newly-built third-rail trains in the UK, one coach in each unit is fitted with a recess where a pantograph could be fitted, allowing for future conversion to run on AC power from overhead lines. Although most units are DC only, the class is numbered in the 3xx series normally used for AC units.

Southern's Class 375 units have since been converted to Class 377, now that their Tightlock couplings – which were compatible with the now-retired "slam-door" stock such as the Class 421 – are no longer needed. The ex-375s may be distinguished from the native 377s by having a mixture of grey, red, and blue seats as opposed to the 377's uniformly green seats.

The Class 375 is the principal new train used by Southeastern; all the Southeastern units have also been converted from Tightlock to Dellner couplers,[1] but unlike the Southern fleet, they have not been reclassified as 377s. The 375/8 and 375/9 sub-classes were built with Dellner couplers from new.

[edit] Class 375 routes

[edit] Main lines

[edit] Outer suburban

Electrostars also work the following outer suburban Southeastern routes interchangeably with Class 465/9 units:


[edit] Fleet details

Class Type Operator No. Built Year Built Cars per Set Unit nos. Notes
Class 375/3 Express Southeastern 10 2001-2002 3 375301-310 -
Southern 28 2001-2002 3 375311-338 Since reclassified as Class 377 nos. 377301-328
Class 375/6 Express Southeastern 30 1999-2001 4 375601-630 Dual-voltage units
Class 375/7 Express Southeastern 15 2001-2002 4 375701-715 -
Class 375/8 Express Southeastern 30 2004-2005 4 375801-830 -
Class 375/9 Outer suburban Southeastern 27 2003-2004 4 375901-927 -

[edit] Diagram

[edit] References

  1. ^ Southern Electrics website