British Rail Class 377
The Class 377 Electrostar electric multiple units were built by Bombardier Transportation (previously ADtranz) at their Derby Works, from 2001 to 2005. The Electrostar family, which also includes Classes 357, 375 and 376, is the most numerous type of EMU built in the post-privatisation period of Britain's railways.
The units are found working suburban services in south London, 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 suffered from a plagued introduction: their higher power consumption compared to the slam-door Mark 1-based stock that they replaced led to major upgrades being required to the 750V 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 begin appearing until 2003.
The Class 377 differs in using Dellner couplers instead of the Tightlock type used on the Class 375. They are also fitted with external CCTV cameras for driver-only operation.
Description
Like all new trains in the United Kingdom using third-rail power, one carriage in each unit has a recess in its roof where a pantograph could be fitted, so as to allow for future conversion to overhead AC power. Some of the units are actually dual voltage, are fitted with a pantograph and run using it on the West Coast Main Line between Watford and London.
Despite most units being DC only, the class is numbered in the 3xx series normally used for AC units.
Current operations
- Brighton Main Line: Brighton–London (various destinations)
- East Coastway (Brighton–Eastbourne/Hastings)
- West Coastway (Brighton–Portsmouth/Southampton)
- Gatwick Main Line London Victoria to Gatwick Airport
- Redhill-Tonbridge (Tunbridge Wells to Horsham or London Bridge)
- West London Line (Clapham Junction–Watford Junction)
- Sutton & Mole Valley Line (Horsham, Guildford & Epsom Downs to London)
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 | These units are mainly used on inner-suburban services to supplement the 46 Class 455 units, and the 24 Class 456s. |
| Class 377/2 | Express | Southern | 15 | 2003-2004 | 4 | 377201-215 | Dual-voltage units.
These are dedicated to the Brighton - Watford Junction. Also, occasionally used on the East Grinstead services. |
| Class 377/3 | Express | Southern | 28 | 2001-2002 | 3 | 377301-328 | Converted from Class 375 nos. 375311-338.
These are dedicated to the Brighton Express & the west and east coastway lines. |
| Class 377/4 | Outer suburban | Southern | 75 | 2003-2005 | 4 | 377401-475 | - |
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