London Overground News - Class 378

It is our intention to publish relevant news of the new class 378 stock for London Overground because it will eventually be running over a significant part of the traditional Southern Electric system (as opposed to existing class 313 stock running over former Southern and joint lines which were never part of the Southern Electric system).

Class 378 testing continues

Class 378/0 will be used on the North London Line, West London Line and the Watford Line. There of 24 units in this class, each unit have 3 carriages.

In 2011, this class with be reclassified as 378/2 when the units gain an additional carriage. A further 10 4-car units have been ordered and will arrive in 2010

They are dual voltage units taking current from overhead wires (25kV AC) or from third rail (750V DC)

The units are numbered from 378 001 to 378 024

(above) 378008 in service on the approach to Richmond on 23^rd Septemeber 2009

Class 378/1 will be used on the East London Line. There will be 23 units in this class, each unit have 4 carriages. Unlike the 370/0, these units can only use third rail (750V DC).

The units will be numbered from 378 135 to 378 154

(above) 378 137 on a test run between Ashford Chart Leacon depot and Redhill. The unit is seen approaching Grants Lane, Edenbridge on its first run on 28^th September 2009

Class 378s enter service!

The Class 378 units have now entered service on the North London Line between Stratford and Richmond. If you have travelled on one of these units, the Editor of Live Rail would be very interested to know your impressions of these units. Do bear in mind the context in which these units were introduced - "metro style" services, with frequent stops, akin to a tube train. Are they, in your opinion, suited to this role? Please forward your comments to Simon Jeffs by September 18th, so your opinions can be included in LR230.

(above) 378 005 at Stratford on 29th July 2009 on the 13:07 to Richmond.