Alstom, Southeastern and Eversholt Rail have announced that the first of a fleet of renovated Class 376 Electrostar units has now re-entered passenger service between North Kent and South East London.
The train – No. 37602 – has received both an interior and exterior makeover, and is one of 36 trains to undergo work at the Grove Park Centre of Excellence in South East London.
New additions to the unit include refurbished seating, at-seat power and USB sockets and LED lighting fixtures, alongside a number of accessibility improvements such as brighter orange grab poles and handles, priority seats marked in orange fabric, new anti-slip strips by doors and large, contrasting colour panels on exterior door buttons.
Once complete; the upgrade project will have deliver 11,000 refurbished seats, over 4,000 power sockets and the installation of roughly 29,000 panels, grab poles, trims and cappings.
Each train will be decked in a new, blue livery, with Alstom undertaking both the engineering works and providing all materials for the interior refresh, as well as the installation of at-seat power throughout the EMUs.
Steve Harvey, Alstom Services Director UK and Ireland, said:The first Class 376 refurbishment marks a major achievement in working with Southeastern and Eversholt Rail in delivering a more modern fleet for passengers across South East London and Kent.
At-seat power, amongst the other interior improvements, should make a real difference to the customers and it’s great to see the first upgraded unit back in service.
The remaining 35 Class 376 Eurostar trains, which were initially manufactured by Alstom at its Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, are expected to re-enter service over the next two years.
