British Rail Class 357
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The British Rail Class 357 Electrostar electric multiple unit was built by ADtranz, Derby (now owned by Bombardier Transportation) from 1999 to 2002. The Electrostar family, which also includes Classes 375, 376 and 377, is the most numerous type of EMU built in the post-privatisation period of Britain's railways. These units were built in two batches for LTS Rail, since rebranded as c2c.
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[edit] Description
[edit] Class 357/0
The first batch of 44 Class 357/0 units were built to replace the Class 310 slam-door units, and allow the return of 18 hired Class 317 units to their operator WAGN. This batch of units was marred by late deliveries and reliability problems. As as a result, ADtranz built a two further units free of charge!
Units are formed of four vehicles, and are numbered in the range 357001-046. Each unit is formed of two outer driving motors, an intermediate motor and an intermediate trailer. The technical description of the formation is DMSO+MSO+PTSO+DMSO. Individual vehicles are numered as follows.
- 67651-67696 - DMOS-A
- 74151-74196 - MOS
- 74051-74096 - PTOSL
- 67751-67796 - DMOS-B
[edit] Class 357/2
The second-batch of 28 Class 357/2 units were built primarily to replace the remaining Class 312 units. The last slam-door units were withdrawn on 31 March 2003, resulting in c2c being the first operator to replace its entire fleet with new trains.
Units are numbered in the range 357201-228. The formation of each 4-car unit is identical to that of the Class 357/0 units. Individual vehicles are numered as follows.
- 68601-68628 - DMOS-A
- 74701-74728 - MOS
- 74601-74628 - PTOSL
- 68701-68728 - DMOS-B
[edit] General features
From the outside the two sub-classes are identical, however the Class 357/0 units are leased from Porterbrook and have green LTS interior colour scheme, whilst the Class 357/2 units are leased from Angel Trains and are internally branded to the c2c colour scheme. There are minor diffences in the finishings of the two sub-classes; most notably the interior door buttons. All units were built in a white livery with green doors, and later had vinyls applied for the new c2c purple livery.
All units have air conditioning and standard class 3+2 seating throughout. The passenger information system 'knows' if the train is over 10 minutes late and automatically apologises for this at each station. Units were built with 100 mph capability, although the maximum line speed is at present only 75 mph.
In 2005, an on-train television service began roll-out to the fleet. The '360 Onboard' service ran in to financial difficulties and the service was withdrawn. c2c has indicated it will recommence the roll-out should a suitable partner be found for the scheme.
[edit] Current operations
The two fleets of units are used interchangeably on all c2c services. Trains are generally formed of a single unit or two units working in multiple during off-peak times, and strengthened to two or three units during the morning and evening peaks.
To accommodate the transfer of 3 Class 321/3 to Silverlink (themselves to cover for Class 321/4 units hired to Central Trains), several units were loaned to sister National Express Group operator 'one' for a period ending in 2006. The units were generally used on London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria services.
c2c has recently named several units, many of them after longer-serving employees.
- 357001 - Barry Flaxman
- 357003 - Jason Leonard
- 357011 - John Lowing
- 357028 - London Tilbury & Southend 150 1854-2004 - this unit was sent to the Czech Republic on November 9 2006.
- 357201 - Ken Bird
- 357202 - Kenny Mitchell
- 357203 - Henry Pumfrett
- 357204 - Derek Fowers
- 357209 - James Snelling
[edit] Fleet details
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| Class | No. Built | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 357/0 | 46 | 1999-2001 | 4 | 357001-046 |
| Class 357/2 | 28 | 2001-2002 | 4 | 357201-228 |
