Worn-out Southeastern Metro trains that were branded “embarrassing” by the company’s boss will finally be refurbished this year – two years after plans were first announced.
The 36 Class 376 trains, which have been running in southeast London for more than 20 years, will be given a full repaint, a new blue livery, seating and LED lighting along with USB and power sockets.
Steve White, the managing director of Southeastern, told Greenwich councillors in 2022 that he was not proud of the trains, which were introduced in 2004 to help replace the last slam-door trains, and still bear the yellow colour scheme of Connex, the network’s old operator.
““I’m embarrassed at the state of that fleet. It needs a renovation internally,” he said, saying he had agreed to a refurbishment project which would take place the following year.
However, Southeastern – which is owned by the Westminster government – has only just begun work at its depot in Ashford, Kent, where new lighting and a new livery will be put in place.
Work on the interiors will begin in the summer at the Grove Park depot, with the first refurbished trains due in service by the end of the year.
The Class 376 trains are one of three types of trains to be found on Southeastern Metro. Most trains are run by 32-year-old Networkers, which the company plans to replace, while 30 eight-year-old Class 707s – branded City Beam by the company – were recently transferred from South Western Railway.
Mark Johnson, Southeastern’s engineering director, said: “I’m thrilled that we will be upgrading the Class 376s with our partners at Alstom and Eversholt Rail. The mid-life refresh will deliver better journeys for our customers and keep these trains in tip-top condition for years to come.
“This builds on the upgrades across our other fleets, and the newer trains we are bringing in, as well as the ongoing procurement of new trains to replace our older Networkers.”
Southeastern came in for criticism in 2022 for cutting back its Metro services, including the “rounder” services that linked the Sidcup line with Abbey Wood and the Elizabeth Line, although some weekday services have gradually been restored.
Last month it was confirmed that rail fares would rise by an average of 4.6 per cent, with an off-peak Oyster or contactless fare on Southeastern Metro and other National Rail routes to central London from zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 rising by 20p from March. Peak fares will rise by between 20p and 40p.
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