Networker: Classes 465 and 466

Network South East embarked on an ambitious programme of rolling stock procurement, with the intention that a single standard multiple-unit design could be adapted to meet all requirements. The units would be produced in diesel, ac and dc versions, with seating appropriate for inner- or outer-suburban services. Every effort was made to make the units energy-efficient, with welded aluminium alloy bodywork and the electric units having three-phase ac motors and rheostatic and regenerative braking. However, the regenerative brakes are not used on classes 465 and 466, due to possible problems in feeding current back to the substations. All coaches have two pairs of plug doors each side. The stylish cab end lacks end doors. Fully automatic Tightlock couplers are fitted.

'Networkers', as the design was known, appeared on services from Paddington and Marylebone in diesel form, but the majority were built for South Eastern. Class 365, a dual system unit, worked from Victoria and Charing Cross to East Kent and from King's Cross to Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn. All are now used on services from King's Cross. The largest Networker fleet was ordered to replace the EPBs on South Eastern suburban workings and entered service between 1993 and 1995. Maximum speed is 75 mph, though class 365 can work at 100 mph.

Many units remain in Network South East livery, some still with NSE lettering and logo and/or the slogan Kent Link Networker. A small number received Connex yellow, blue and white. The most recent livery is grey and white, with black window surrounds and yellow doors.

Class 465

This is a four-coach suburban unit. Units comprise two driving motors, flanking two trailers. All seating is arranged 2+3. (Most seating in unit 465014 has been refitted as 2+2). Odd numbered trailer coaches include a toilet and retention tank.

The 465/0 and 465/1 units were built by BREL/ABB at York and class 465/2 by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath. Although the BREL/ABB and Metro-Cammell units look the same at first glance, there are few components in common apart from the seats.

Classes 465/0 and 465/1 have Brush TIM970 traction motors and BREL P3 motor bogies and T3 unpowered bogies. Class 465/2 have GEC G352BY traction motors and are mounted on SRP BP62 motor bogies and BT52 unpowered bogies. Both types of traction motor are rated at 280kW and there are four to each motor coach, all axles being powered. There are flexible drives to gearboxes on the axles. Three inverters provide alternating current, one for each phase. Units have Tightlock couplers and all types can work in multiple with each other. The external doors on the ABB units are air-operated, whereas the GEC units have electrically-powered doors.

The most obvious difference between the BREL/ABB and the Metro-Cammell units concerns saloon ventilation. Classes 465/0 and 465/1 have three external grilles in the bodywork of each coach, above the windows, and nozzles to admit fresh air just below the luggage rack. Class 465/2 has concealed ventilation. Other differences include a small hatch in the bodywork on the offside of the driver's cab on class 465/2 and the frames of the SRP bogies being more rounded than those of the BREL ones. The cab layout and certain of the driver's controls differ between classes 465/0 and 465/1, but they are otherwise the same.

It is intended to adapt class 465/2 for outer-suburban working. A first class saloon, with 12 seats, arranged 2+2, will be provided adjacent to the driver's cab in each motor coach. The rest of the passenger space will be refreshed, including room for a wheelchair in the trailer with the toilet.

• Owner: Classes 465/0 & 465/1 HSBC,  Class 465/2 Angel Trains
• Operator: South Eastern
• Seats: Driving motor 86; Trailer 90; Trailer (toilet) 86; Driving motor 86
• Number series: 465001 to 465050, 465151 to 465197, 465201 to 465250

Class 466

This is a two-coach version of class 465/2, built by Metro-Cammell but mounted on BREL bogies. Units are formed of a driving motor coach similar to those in class 465/2 and a driving trailer, including a toilet. 466017 has 2+2 seating, but in all others it is 2+3. Units are used principally to make up six-coach or ten-coach trains on suburban services from Charing Cross and Cannon Street.