Electrostar: Classes 375, 376 and 377

 Electrostar is the standard UK electric multiple-unit from Bombardier. An ac version is in service with c2c. Most units have four coaches, comprising three motor coaches and a trailer. Three coach units have two motor coaches and five coach units have four.

The South Eastern units were ordered by Connex. Govia ordered the Southern units in two batches, the first lot being based on preparatory work by Connex. The second Govia order was to a modified specification. Classes 375 and 377 have a common bodyshell and many other components are the same. Class 376 is similar, but lacks end gangways which the other types have. It has sliding doors, whereas classes 375 and 377 have plug doors. All units are built at Derby.

Bodywork is aluminium, with steel ends. There are two Adtranz 250kW three-phase traction motors on each motor coach, with IGBT control. The motor bogies are at the trailing end of the driving coaches and at the centre of the unit on the non-driving coach. Bogies are a development of the BREL P3 and T3 design used on class 465/0 and 465/1. Driving coaches have pick up shoes on both bogies. Classes 375 and 377 have a potential maximum speed of 100mph, but do not normally operate at more than 90 mph.

There have been various changes to first class arrangements since the units were delivered. A few units were standard class only, but both South Eastern and Southern are now designating the twelve seats next to the driver's cab as first class (at one end only in three-coach units, and not in class 376). However, the only distinction from standard is a few signs, a yellow stripe externally and antimacassars on the seat backs.

Classes 375/3, 375/6 and 375/7 were built with Tightlock couplers, but these have been replaced with Dellner ones. All other units were fitted with Dellner couplers when new. Initially, units fitted with Dellner couplers were classified 377 and the Southern class 375/3 units were renumbered as 377/3 when their couplers were changed. However, no other units have been reclassified or renumbered.

Some units have been built as dual system ac/dc. Those delivered as dc only are capable of conversion for ac operation quite easily. Southern requires dual system units for its service to Watford Junction. Although South Eastern's class 375/6 units are fitted with pantographs and other ac equipment, there is no prospect of ac operation for the foreseeable future. Special rolling stock, capable of much higher speeds and fitted with TVM430 cab signalling, will be needed for domestic services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Class 377 has external CCTV cameras feeding to a display in the driver's cab, but class 375 does not.

South Eastern units are all finished in grey and white, with black window surrounds and yellow doors. They have white interior panelling with orange grab rails. Southern units are in that company's two-tone green and white livery. The interiors of the earlier units are the same as the South Eastern units. The units in the second Govia order have pale blue interior panelling and yellow grab rails. The ceiling, lighting and seat design is different in these units. Classes 375 and 377 have air conditioning; class 376 has pressure ventilation.

The trailer coach of all class 375 and 377 units includes a disabled toilet and space for two wheelchairs. Four coach units also have a conventional toilet in the non-driving motor coach. All units have a pantograph well on the trailer coach, whether or not a pantograph is fitted. Details of unit numbers and seating capacity for classes 375 and 377 are set out in a table on page 18.

Class 375

All of class 375 are owned by HSBC and operated by South Eastern

Class 375/3 are three-coach express units, with 2+2 seating throughout. Although numbered before the Southern batch, they were delivered later. The first entered passenger service early in 2003.

Class 375/6 are four-coach express units, dual voltage, with 2+2 seating throughout. This was the first type to be delivered, 375601 running on trial from autumn 1999. Fleet delivery was during 2000/01 and passenger workings commenced between Victoria and Ramsgate at the end of April 2001. 375610 was finished in a special livery to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

• Named units:
  375608 Bromley Travelwise
  375610 Royal Tunbridge Wells
  375611 Dr William Harvey
  375619 Driver John Neve
  375624 White Cliffs Country
  375623 Hospice in the Weald

Class 375/7 are the same as class 375/6, but equipped for dc operation only. Following experience with class 375/6, it was possible for the first to enter service, in November 2002, soon after delivery.

• Named units:
  375701 Kent Air Ambulance
  375703 Dickens Traveller

Class 375/8 are four-coach express units similar to class 375/7, but with a different seating layout. There are more seats, but fewer tables, in the driving coach adjacent to the trailer, but more tables and fewer seats in the trailer. The first units were delivered and entered service during 2004.

• Named units:
  375830 City of London

Class 375/9 are four-coach units built for outer-suburban and stopping services. Most seating is 2+3. Seats are to the same firmer design as those in later Southern units. The first were delivered in November 2003 and entered passenger service in January 2004.

Class 376

These five-coach inner suburban units were ordered by Connex in 2002 and they differ in a number of important respects from classes 375 and 377. All vehicles are motor coaches, except for the centre one. There are no end gangways, but the corridor connections between coaches within each unit are wider than on the express units. External door openings are also wider and the doors slide into pockets in the bodywork. The driver's cab has a near-vertical front with a three-pane windscreen. Seating is 2+2, in order to leave plenty of space for standing passengers, but there are also a number of perch or tip-up seats. There are no toilets. The extensive areas for standing passengers and many grab rails make the units seem more like an up-market Underground train than main line stock. They work on services from Cannon Street and Charing Cross, as stations on those lines can accommodate ten-coach trains. The first unit s entered service during summer 2004.

• Owner:
• Operator: South Eastern
• Seats : Driving motor 36 plus 6 tip up and 16 perches; Non-driving motor 48; Trailer 48.
• Number series 376001 to 376036

Class 377

All of class 377 are owned by Porterbrook and operated by Southern

Class 377/1 are four coach express units, but internal arrangements vary. The first was delivered in December 2002 and entered service in May 2003. Units up to 377119 had 2+2 seating throughout, but some areas may be altered to 2+3. 377120 to 377139 have 2+2 seating in the outer ends of each coach and 3+2 in the centre section. 377140 to 377164 have 2+2 seating throughout the driving coaches and 3+2 seating in the intermediate vehicles. Units up to 377139 have white interiors and the 2+2 seats are like those in South Eastern units. Units from 377140 have a modified interior, with blue internal panelling and harder seats. Externally, the light cluster on cab ends of these units is to a revised design.

Class 377/2 are the same as the last batch of class 377/1 units, but equipped for ac and dc operation. The first were delivered early in 2004.

Class 377/3 units were delivered in 2002 as class 375/3, entering service that autumn. 375311 to 375318 were finished white and 375319 onwards in Southern livery. All have white internal panelling. When fitted with Dellner couplers units were renumbered from 375311 - 375338 to 377301 - 377328 respectively. Units 377301 to 377312 were standard class only, for use on Coastway routes, but have had twelve seats in one driving motor coach regraded as first class.

Class 377/4 are four-coach express units, the first of which were delivered in spring 2004. They are similar to the last batch of class 377/1, the main difference being that the first class areas are partitioned off from the adjacent door lobby and have fewer seats. There are additional grab rails by the doors.

Seating capacity is:

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