British Rail Class 377
Encyclopedia
The Class 377 Electrostar is an electric multiple unit
type built by Bombardier Transportation
(previously ADtranz
) at their Derby Works
, from 2001 to present. The Electrostar
family, which also includes Classes 357
, 375
, 376
, 378
, and 379
, is the most numerous type of EMU built in the post-privatisation period of Britain's railways. They have become the de facto flagship of the Southern
fleet.
, and rural commuter services to Sussex
, Kent
and the South Coast, on which they replaced the old 4Cig
and 4Vep
slam-door stock. Although built in the early 2000s, the new units had a troubled introduction: being fully air-conditioned, their higher power consumption compared to the slam-door Mark 1-based stock that they replaced led to major upgrades being required to the 750 V DC
third-rail power supply used in the Southern region. The collapse of Railtrack
following the Hatfield
accident further delayed this upgrade work and the new stock did not enter squadron service until 2003.
Class 377s are fitted with external CCTV
. There is a disabled seating area, and both the intermediate coaches have toilets. Bodyside power doors are electrically operated, a move away from the air powered systems of previous generation EMUs. Dual voltage units are fitted with a Brecknell Willis high speed pantograph
, which incorporates a pair of aerofoils on the pan knuckle to steady the pan head against the OLE contact wire. The configuration of a 377/5 unit is:
receiver, Mitrac controls Selective Door Operation
(SDO), as well as automatic Passenger Information System
(PIS) displays and Public Address
announcements. Engineers can access the system remotely via GSM to download the fault log, then carry out real time diagnostics whilst the train continues in service.
instead of the Tightlock type originally used on Southern's
Class 375s. Southern's 375s were all converted to Class 377s - these reclassified units can still be identified due to their blue, grey, and red seating, as opposed to the green seating fitted to Southern's native 377s. Note that Southeastern's
375s (sub-classes 375/3, 375/6, and 375/7) were converted to Dellner couplers but not reclassified; their 375/8 and 375/9 units were fitted with Dellner couplers as built.
pick-up which provides 750 V DC. There are eight pick-up shoes per unit (twice the number of previous generation 4 car Electric multiple units), and this enables them to ride smoothly over most third rail gaps. The shoe mechanism is air-operated, so that when the train switches to AC traction current they are raised out of the way. Some of the units in the 377/2 and 377/5 sub-classes are dual-voltage, and are fitted with a pantograph to pick up 25 kV AC
from overhead lines
. This is used on the West Coast Main Line
between Milton Keynes
and South Croydon. Since March 2009 dual-voltage Class 377 sets have also been operating some Thameslink
Bedford
to Brighton
, Rochester and Ashford
services. (see below).
Among the remaining units, the trailer carriage in each unit has a recess in its roof where a pantograph
could be fitted, to allow for future conversion to overhead AC power. Despite most units being DC-only, the class is numbered in the 3xx series normally used for AC units.
, it was announced that Southern would obtain an additional 48 Class 377 carriages to replace an identical number of Class 319
carriages (12 4-car units) that were due to be transferred to First Capital Connect
. Further to this, eleven more dual-voltage units were added to the order, making a total of 23. They were ordered from Bombardier in March 2008 and were delivered in First's corporate colour scheme but with Southern spec interior (green seats). The units were commissioned at Southern's Selhurst depot in South London before being transferred to First Capital Connect
's Bedford Cauldwell depot. The first of these, unit 377501, was delivered to Cauldwell depot on 27 February 2009 after making its first appearance through the Thameslink
Central London core. The 377/5s operate mainly on the Bedford to Brighton services but in the peaks form part of FCC's and Southeastern
's new joint service to places such as Rochester and Ashford
. Once FCC's new passenger vehicles come into service, the 377/5 fleet will be returned to Southern.
Delays in the construction of the Class 377/5s for First Capital Connect saw the temporary transfer of eight of Southern's Class 377/2s to FCC to enable them to implement the planned timetable changes on 22 March 2009; the loss of these units until September 2009 was covered by the temporary cascade of a number of Class 350/1s
to Southern from London Midland
, which operated services between East Croydon and Milton Keynes.
In September 2011 it was announced that due to delays in the Thameslink Programme stock procurement, the return to Southern of the Class 377/5 fleet would be delayed and therefore 130 additional vehicles would be required by December 2013. It is thought likely that these will be 26 Class 377 vehicles in five car formations
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
type built by Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
(previously ADtranz
Adtranz
ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation , commonly known under its brand Adtranz, was a multi-national rail transport equipment manufacturer with facilities concentrated in Europe and the USA....
) at their Derby Works
Derby Carriage and Wagon Works
Derby Carriage and Wagon Works was built by the Midland Railway in Derby, England. The plant has been through many changes of ownership and is currently owned by Bombardier Transportation, a subsidiary of Bombardier Inc. of Canada. As of 2011 it is the only remaining passenger rolling stock...
, from 2001 to present. The Electrostar
Electrostar
Electrostar is the name given to a series of related electric multiple-unit passenger trains manufactured by Bombardier Transportation at their Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, England...
family, which also includes Classes 357
British Rail Class 357
The British Rail Class 357 "Electrostar" alternating current electric multiple units were built by ADtranz at their Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, England, in two batches from 1999 to 2002 at a cost of approximately £292 million...
, 375
British Rail Class 375
The British Rail Class 375 Electrostar electric multiple unit train was built by Bombardier Transportation at their Derby Works, from 1999 to 2005...
, 376
British Rail Class 376
The Class 376 Suburban Electrostar is a model of electric multiple-unit passenger train manufactured by Bombardier Transportation. It is part of the Electrostar family, which are the most common EMUs introduced since the privatisation of British Rail...
, 378
British Rail Class 378
The Class 378 Capitalstar is a type of electric multiple-unit train, part of Bombardier Transportation's Electrostar family. These trains are operating on the new London Overground network...
, and 379
British Rail Class 379
The Class 379 Electrostar is a British electric multiple-unit train type ordered in April 2009 for Stansted Express services operated by National Express East Anglia . The trains will also be used on services between , and...
, is the most numerous type of EMU built in the post-privatisation period of Britain's railways. They have become the de facto flagship of the Southern
Southern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
fleet.
Description
The units are found working suburban services in south LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and rural commuter services to Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
and the South Coast, on which they replaced the old 4Cig
British Rail Class 421
The British Rail Class 421 electrical multiple units were built at BR York Works between 1964 and 1972. Units were built in two batches, and were initially introduced on services on the Brighton Main Line. Later units were introduced on services to Portsmouth. These units replaced older Southern...
and 4Vep
British Rail Class 423
The British Rail Class 423 electrical multiple units were built by BR at York Works from 1967 to 1974, although the MBSOs and TSOs of the first 20, 7701-7720, were constructed at Derby Works. They feature manually-opening doors next to every seating row and were the last coaching stock built in...
slam-door stock. Although built in the early 2000s, the new units had a troubled introduction: being fully air-conditioned, their higher power consumption compared to the slam-door Mark 1-based stock that they replaced led to major upgrades being required to the 750 V DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
third-rail power supply used in the Southern region. The collapse of Railtrack
Railtrack
Railtrack was a group of companies that owned the track, signalling, tunnels, bridges, level crossings and all but a handful of the stations of the British railway system from its formation in April 1994 until 2002...
following the Hatfield
Hatfield rail crash
The Hatfield rail crash was a railway accident on 17 October 2000, at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK. Although the accident killed fewer than other accidents, Hatfield exposed the major stewardship shortcomings of the privatised national railway infrastructure company Railtrack and the failings of...
accident further delayed this upgrade work and the new stock did not enter squadron service until 2003.
Class 377s are fitted with external CCTV
Closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors....
. There is a disabled seating area, and both the intermediate coaches have toilets. Bodyside power doors are electrically operated, a move away from the air powered systems of previous generation EMUs. Dual voltage units are fitted with a Brecknell Willis high speed pantograph
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
, which incorporates a pair of aerofoils on the pan knuckle to steady the pan head against the OLE contact wire. The configuration of a 377/5 unit is:
- DMCO(A) - 2 motors on inner bogie, sander, auxiliary converterVoltage converterA voltage converter changes the voltage of an electrical power source. It may be combined with other components to create a power supply.-AC and DC:...
module - MSO - 2 motors on inner bogie, standard toilet
- PTSO - pantographPantograph (rail)A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
, transformerTransformerA transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer's coils. A varying current in the first or primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic field...
, compressorGas compressorA gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume.Compressors are similar to pumps: both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a pipe. As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of a gas...
, disabled toilet - DMCO(B) - 2 motors on inner bogie, sander, auxiliary converter module
Mitrac
Mitrac is the Bombardier Train Management System (TMS). It provides monitoring of on-train systems, fault finding diagnostics, event monitoring and preventative maintenance. In conjunction with the onboard GPSGlobal Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
receiver, Mitrac controls Selective Door Operation
Selective Door Operation
Selective Door Operation, also called Selective Door Opening is a mechanism employed primarily on trains that allows the Driver or Conductor/Guard to open the doors of a train separately.- Purpose and operation of SDO :Selective Door Operation is a system used by trains for the safe...
(SDO), as well as automatic Passenger Information System
Passenger information system
A passenger information [display] system is an electronic information system which provides real-time passenger information. It may include both predictions about arrival and departure times, as well as information about the nature and causes of disruptions...
(PIS) displays and Public Address
Public address
A public address system is an electronic amplification system with a mixer, amplifier and loudspeakers, used to reinforce a sound source, e.g., a person giving a speech, a DJ playing prerecorded music, and distributing the sound throughout a venue or building.Simple PA systems are often used in...
announcements. Engineers can access the system remotely via GSM to download the fault log, then carry out real time diagnostics whilst the train continues in service.
Couplers
The Class 377 uses Dellner couplersCoupling (railway)
A coupling is a mechanism for connecting rolling stock in a train. The design of the coupler is standard, and is almost as important as the railway gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together.The equipment that connects the couplings to the...
instead of the Tightlock type originally used on Southern's
Southern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
Class 375s. Southern's 375s were all converted to Class 377s - these reclassified units can still be identified due to their blue, grey, and red seating, as opposed to the green seating fitted to Southern's native 377s. Note that Southeastern's
Southeastern (train operating company)
London & South Eastern Railway Limited, trading as Southeastern is a train operating company in south-east England. On 1 April 2006 it became the franchisee for the new Integrated Kent Franchise , replacing the publicly owned South Eastern Trains on the former South East Franchise...
375s (sub-classes 375/3, 375/6, and 375/7) were converted to Dellner couplers but not reclassified; their 375/8 and 375/9 units were fitted with Dellner couplers as built.
Traction current supply
All units can receive power via third-railThird rail
A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system, which has alignments in its own corridors, fully or almost...
pick-up which provides 750 V DC. There are eight pick-up shoes per unit (twice the number of previous generation 4 car Electric multiple units), and this enables them to ride smoothly over most third rail gaps. The shoe mechanism is air-operated, so that when the train switches to AC traction current they are raised out of the way. Some of the units in the 377/2 and 377/5 sub-classes are dual-voltage, and are fitted with a pantograph to pick up 25 kV AC
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
from overhead lines
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
. This is used on the West Coast Main Line
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
between Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Central railway station
Milton Keynes Central railway station serves Central Milton Keynes and the surrounding area of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The station is located on the West Coast Main Line between the stations of Bletchley and Wolverton, both of which are also within Milton Keynes. The station is served by...
and South Croydon. Since March 2009 dual-voltage Class 377 sets have also been operating some Thameslink
Thameslink
Thameslink is a fifty-station main-line route in the British railway system running north to south through London from Bedford to Brighton, serving both London Gatwick Airport and London Luton Airport. It opened as a through service in 1988 and by 1998 was severely overcrowded, carrying more than...
Bedford
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
to Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, Rochester and Ashford
Ashford, Kent
Ashford is a town in the borough of Ashford in Kent, England. In 2005 it was voted the fourth best place to live in the United Kingdom. It lies on the Great Stour river, the M20 motorway, and the South Eastern Main Line and High Speed 1 railways. Its agricultural market is one of the most...
services. (see below).
Among the remaining units, the trailer carriage in each unit has a recess in its roof where a pantograph
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
could be fitted, to allow for future conversion to overhead AC power. Despite most units being DC-only, the class is numbered in the 3xx series normally used for AC units.
Additional units and the Thameslink Programme
In April 2007, as part of the Route Utilisation Strategy for the Brighton Main LineBrighton Main Line
The Brighton Main Line is a British railway line from London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton. It is about 50 miles long, and is electrified throughout. Trains are operated by Southern, First Capital Connect, and Gatwick Express, now part of Southern.-Original proposals:There were no fewer...
, it was announced that Southern would obtain an additional 48 Class 377 carriages to replace an identical number of Class 319
British Rail Class 319
The British Rail Class 319 dual-voltage electric multiple units were built by BREL York in two batches in 1987–88 and 1990. The trains were introduced for new north-south cross-London services from Bedford to Brighton, and since privatisation these services have been operated by Thameslink and...
carriages (12 4-car units) that were due to be transferred to First Capital Connect
First Capital Connect
First Capital Connect is a passenger train operating company in England that began operations on the National Rail network on 1 April 2006...
. Further to this, eleven more dual-voltage units were added to the order, making a total of 23. They were ordered from Bombardier in March 2008 and were delivered in First's corporate colour scheme but with Southern spec interior (green seats). The units were commissioned at Southern's Selhurst depot in South London before being transferred to First Capital Connect
First Capital Connect
First Capital Connect is a passenger train operating company in England that began operations on the National Rail network on 1 April 2006...
's Bedford Cauldwell depot. The first of these, unit 377501, was delivered to Cauldwell depot on 27 February 2009 after making its first appearance through the Thameslink
Thameslink
Thameslink is a fifty-station main-line route in the British railway system running north to south through London from Bedford to Brighton, serving both London Gatwick Airport and London Luton Airport. It opened as a through service in 1988 and by 1998 was severely overcrowded, carrying more than...
Central London core. The 377/5s operate mainly on the Bedford to Brighton services but in the peaks form part of FCC's and Southeastern
Southeastern (train operating company)
London & South Eastern Railway Limited, trading as Southeastern is a train operating company in south-east England. On 1 April 2006 it became the franchisee for the new Integrated Kent Franchise , replacing the publicly owned South Eastern Trains on the former South East Franchise...
's new joint service to places such as Rochester and Ashford
Ashford, Kent
Ashford is a town in the borough of Ashford in Kent, England. In 2005 it was voted the fourth best place to live in the United Kingdom. It lies on the Great Stour river, the M20 motorway, and the South Eastern Main Line and High Speed 1 railways. Its agricultural market is one of the most...
. Once FCC's new passenger vehicles come into service, the 377/5 fleet will be returned to Southern.
Delays in the construction of the Class 377/5s for First Capital Connect saw the temporary transfer of eight of Southern's Class 377/2s to FCC to enable them to implement the planned timetable changes on 22 March 2009; the loss of these units until September 2009 was covered by the temporary cascade of a number of Class 350/1s
British Rail Class 350
The British Rail Class 350 "Desiro" is class of electrical multiple unit built by Siemens AG from 2004–05 and 2008–09. Thirty of these units, designated Class 350/1, were built for use by Central Trains and Silverlink on regional express services and services on the southern section of the West...
to Southern from London Midland
London Midland
London Midland is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Legally named London and Birmingham Railway Ltd, it is a subsidiary of Govia, and has operated the West Midlands franchise since 11 November 2007....
, which operated services between East Croydon and Milton Keynes.
In September 2011 it was announced that due to delays in the Thameslink Programme stock procurement, the return to Southern of the Class 377/5 fleet would be delayed and therefore 130 additional vehicles would be required by December 2013. It is thought likely that these will be 26 Class 377 vehicles in five car formations
Southern
- Brighton Main LineBrighton Main LineThe Brighton Main Line is a British railway line from London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton. It is about 50 miles long, and is electrified throughout. Trains are operated by Southern, First Capital Connect, and Gatwick Express, now part of Southern.-Original proposals:There were no fewer...
: BrightonBrightonBrighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
– Gatwick Airport - London (various destinations) - East CoastwayEast Coastway LineEast Coastway is the name used by the train operating company, Southern , for the routes it operates along the south coast of Sussex and Kent to the east of Brighton, England. Those to the West of Brighton are named the West Coastway Line...
(Brighton – Eastbourne/Ore) - West CoastwayWest Coastway LineThe West Coastway Line is a railway line in England, along the south coast of West Sussex and Hampshire, between Brighton and Southampton, plus the short branches to Littlehampton and Bognor Regis....
(Brighton – Portsmouth/Southampton & Littlehampton - London) - Redhill - TonbridgeRedhill to Tonbridge LineThe Redhill to Tonbridge Line is a railway line running from Redhill, Surrey to Tonbridge, Kent in southeast England. It branches off the Brighton Main Line at Redhill station and, after 20 miles, joins the South Eastern Main Line at Tonbridge station....
(Tonbridge to Redhill, Victoria, London Bridge or Charing Cross) - West London LineWest London LineThe West London Line is a short railway in inner West London which links lines at in the south to lines near Willesden Junction in the north. It has always been an important cross-London link especially for freight services...
(South Croydon – Milton Keynes Central) - Sutton & Mole Valley LineSutton & Mole Valley LineThe Sutton & Mole Valley Lines are a group of railway lines constructed between 1847 and 1868 by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, the London and South Western Railway and the LBSCR-sponsored Horsham, Dorking and Leatherhead Railway.-Services:The scheduled services run along the Sutton...
(Horsham, Guildford & Epsom Downs to London) - Caterham & Tattenham CornerTattenham Corner LineThe Tattenham Corner Line is a railway line in Southern England. It was opened in two parts: from Purley to Tadworth as the Chipstead Valley Railway in 1893, and to Tattenham Corner as the Epsom Downs Extension Railway in 1894. Both companies were then acquired by the South Eastern Railway...
branches (selected workings)
First Capital Connect
- ThameslinkThameslinkThameslink is a fifty-station main-line route in the British railway system running north to south through London from Bedford to Brighton, serving both London Gatwick Airport and London Luton Airport. It opened as a through service in 1988 and by 1998 was severely overcrowded, carrying more than...
: (Brighton-Gatwick Airport-London-Luton-Bedford also Bedford to Ashford/Rochester in peak hours)
Fleet details
| Class | Type | Operator | No. Built | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 377/1 | Express | Southern | 64 | 2002–2003 | 4 | 377101-164 | The first 19 units are Brighton-based and used on main-line routes. 377120 to 377157 are now Selhurst-based and used on a mixture of Metro workings, East Grinstead workings and occasional outer suburban workings to Horsham. 377158 to 377164 are Brighton based and used on main line routes. |
| Class 377/2 | Express | Southern | 15 | 2003–2004 | 4 | 377201-215 | Dual-voltage units. These are dedicated to the South Croydon - Milton Keynes Central route. Also, occasionally used on London Metro routes. |
| Class 377/3 | Express | Southern | 28 | 2001–2002 | 3 | 377301-328 | Converted from Class 375 British Rail Class 375 The British Rail Class 375 Electrostar electric multiple unit train was built by Bombardier Transportation at their Derby Works, from 1999 to 2005... Nos. 375311-338 by having their Tightlock couplings replaced by Dellners. These are now mainly used on West Coastway local, Brighton to Southampton, and East Coastway local Seaford line services. From 2010 will transfer to the South London Line South London Line South London Line may refer to one of two semicircular railway lines which both run between London Victoria and London Bridge stations through the southern suburbs of London, UK:*Inner South London Line - running via Denmark Hill and Peckham Rye... and be replaced by 313s. They are the only Class 377 trains to have 3 car sets. |
| Class 377/4 | Outer suburban | Southern | 75 | 2003–2005 | 4 | 377401-475 | Brighton-based covering most main-line routes. Note: Both unit Nos. 377472 and 377474 have 'speed run' branding in reference to these units having formed the record breaking London to Brighton run. |
| Class 377/5 | Express | First Capital Connect | 23 | 2008–2009 | 4 | 377501-523 | 23 dual-voltage units order by Southern. Sub-leased to FCC as part of the Thameslink Programme Key Output Zero (KO0) |
Diagram