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British Rail Class 365

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British Rail Class 365
Networker Express
Great Northern Class 365 at London King's Cross in July 2019
Refurbished Great Northern standard-class saloon
In service13 October 1996 – 15 May 2021 (1996-10-13 – 2021-05-15)
ManufacturerABB Transportation
Built atHolgate Road Works, York
Family nameNetworker
Constructed1994–1995
Refurbished2013–2016 at Bombardier Ilford
Scrapped2021–2022
Number built41
Number in service0
Number preserved0
(3 vehicles only)
Number scrapped41
Successor
Formation
  • 4 cars per unit:
  • DMOC-TOSL-PTOSL-DMOC
Fleet numbers365501–365541
Capacity263 seats (24 first-class, 239 standard)
Operators
Depots
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium[1]
Train length81.9 m (268 ft 8 in)
Car length
  • DM vehs.: 20.89 m (68 ft 6 in)
  • Trailers: 20.06 m (65 ft 10 in)
Width2.81 m (9 ft 3 in)
Height3.77 m (12 ft 4 in)
Maximum speed100 mph (161 km/h)
Weight
  • 151.62 tonnes (149.23 long tons; 167.13 short tons)
Traction systemGEC Alsthom GTO-VVVF
Traction motors8 × 3-phase AC[2]: p.A.6 
GEC Alsthom G354CX
Power output1,256 kW (1,684 hp)
Acceleration0.67 m/s2 (2.2 ft/s2)
Electric system(s)
Current collector(s)
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemTightlock[5]
Multiple workingWithin class
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
Sourced from[6] unless otherwise noted.

The British Rail Class 365 Networker Express was a class of dual-voltage (25 kV 50 Hz AC and 750 V DC) electric multiple unit passenger train built by ABB at Holgate Road Carriage Works in 1994 and 1995.

The Class 365 was derived from the Class 465 EMU after the planned "Universal Networker" Classes 371 and 381 were not funded through to production. An initial prototype that better suited the operation of long-distance services was developed from an existing unit (designated as Class 465/3), as the new type was intended to operate services in South East England and on the Great Northern Route. The purchase of 41 Class 365s was authorised in late 1993; they would be the last trains to be built at the Holgate Road works prior to its closure. Due to the front end of refurbished units resembling a smiling face, the trains have been nicknamed "Happy Trains" by enthusiasts.[7]

Deliveries began in 1994 under Network SouthEast and continued after operations transferred to the private sector; the final unit was delivered to West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN) in July 1998. Connex South Eastern received 16 units while West Anglia Great Northern received 25. During 2004, South Eastern Trains opted to transfer all of its sets to WAGN.

The Class 365 has been involved in several accidents, which has included fatalities; the most serious accident to date occurred at Potters Bar in 2002. In September 2014, all units were transferred with the Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise to Govia Thameslink Railway. In June 2018, ten sets were transferred to Abellio ScotRail to operate services from Edinburgh to Glasgow and Stirling. On 15 May 2021, Great Northern withdrew the last of its Class 365 sets. During July 2021, all of the Class 365s were acquired by Eversholt Rail Group; all but 3 vehicles have been scrapped. Newer types of rolling stock, such as the Class 385s and Class 387s, have typically been introduced to replace the type with various operators.

Background

[edit]

In the early 1990s, the Networker family was entering large-scale service in the Network SouthEast sector – both third-rail 'Networker' EMUs (Class 465/Class 466) and 'Network Turbo' DMUs (Class 165/Class 166) were in service, with proposals for others, including a so-called "Universal Networker", intended as Classes 371 and 381, that would have dual-voltage capability. However, by 1992, no work had been done in the development of these due to a lack of funding, so a replacement plan was required. For this, the Class 465 was modified for longer-distance services – a prototype was converted from an existing unit (designated as Class 465/3) to determine suitability, before funding was authorised during late 1993 for the purchase of 41 dual-voltage EMUs, each of four cars.[8] These became the Class 365.[9][10] Network SouthEast had successfully advocated in favour of the Class 365 project to secure investment from the British government; however, this came at the expense of competing proposals, including InterCity's envisioned InterCity 250 series of high speed trains.[11]

Description

[edit]

Although specified as a dual-voltage unit, Class 365s never operated with this capability since they were built with only one system of traction current pickup.

The first 16 units (365501 to 365516), which worked briefly for Network SouthEast before the South Eastern franchise was awarded to Connex South Eastern, were originally supplied only with DC shoe gear for use on the 750 V DC third-rail system.[2]: p.A.9  In this configuration the maximum speed was 90 mph (145 km/h).[2]: p.A.6  During testing and commissioning, 365502 ran briefly on the AC network, this being the main reason for the unit being chosen to be subleased to West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN) in the aftermath of the Potters Bar accident in 2002.

When they transferred to WAGN for use with 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line traction supply, the shoes and associated equipment were removed and a Brecknell Willis high speed pantograph was installed, along with other operator and voltage-specific modifications and testing by Bombardier Transportation at its Doncaster Works.[3] However, the Class 365s retained the original 750 V DC electrical bus, meaning that when on 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines the current was collected as AC, rectified to DC for the onboard systems, and then inverted back to AC for the three-phase traction motors. For running on overhead lines the maximum speed was raised to 100 mph (161 km/h).[12]

Basic equipment consisted of:

Dynamic (rheostatic) braking on the two Driving Motor coaches was available in addition to disc brakes, via a system of brake blending.

In common with the whole Networker fleet, wheel slide protection (WSP) operated on every axle. Under braking conditions a blowdown valve released air from the brake cylinder of any axle if the rotational speed varies significantly from the average axle speed on the train.[13]

Internal LED Passenger Information Display Systems and Auto-Announcers were fitted across the fleet.[12]

Ownership

[edit]

In the lead up to the privatisation of British Rail, responsibility for the Class 365s passed to Eversholt Rail Group.[14] However, because the British Railways Board had leased rather than purchased the Class 365s, under a clause in the original procurement contract, ownership of the remaining 40 sets passed to the Department for Transport subsidiary Train Fleet (2019) Limited in July 2019[15] after it was obliged to pay out the leases to the Royal Bank of Scotland in the event that the trains were not wanted.[16][17] In July 2021, all were sold back to Eversholt after termination of their leases with Govia Thameslink Railway was agreed.[18]

Operations

[edit]

South Eastern

[edit]
Connex South Eastern Class 365 at Wandsworth Road in September 2001, with original cab ends.

The first 16 units were fitted for use on the 750 V DC lines. The first Class 365 set was delivered in November 1994 while testing commenced on 15 June 1995.[19][20] Their first use in service occurred on 13 October 1996, but due to problems in obtaining a safety case, they did not enter full service with Connex South Eastern until 16 June 1997.[21][22][23] Before it entered service, 365513 was damaged in a shunting incident at Chart Leacon TMD and was forwarded to Doncaster Works in November 1996.[24]

From August 2002 until January 2003, 365502 was sublet to WAGN to provide cover after 365526 was involved in the Potters Bar accident.[25][26] All passed with the franchise to South Eastern Trains in November 2003. All were transferred to West Anglia Great Northern during 2004.[27][28]

Great Northern

[edit]
West Anglia Great Northern Class 365 near Potters Bar in May 1998, still in Network SouthEast livery.
First Capital Connect Class 365 near Harringay in May 2012

Twenty-five Class 365s (365517 to 365541) were delivered to Hornsey TMD to operate services on the East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross to Peterborough and King's Lynn. The first entered service with Network SouthEast on 9 December 1996.[29][30] All sets were included in the transfer of the franchise to West Anglia Great Northern in January 1997. The last was delivered in July 1998.[31]

As part of a project to fit driver's cab air conditioning, all units received new fronts between 2001 and 2002.[32][33] In May 2002, 365526 was involved in the Potters Bar accident and was subsequently written off.[34] From August 2002 until January 2003, 365502 was sublet from Connex South Eastern to provide cover.[25][26] In 2004, all 16 of Connex South Eastern examples (365501 to 365516) were transferred to West Anglia Great Northern to release Class 317s for use by Thameslink.[27][28][35]

The remaining 40 sets passed with the franchise to First Capital Connect during April 2006. A refurbishment program at Ilford EMU Depot commenced in January 2014.[36] All units passed with the Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise to Govia Thameslink Railway in September 2014.

In 2017, the Class 365 fleet were relegated to peak-hour services after the newer Class 387s and 700s entered service.[37] It was proposed that some would be transferred to Great Western Railway to operate services on the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington to Newbury and Oxford, but this scheme was aborted when new Class 387s were purchased instead.[38][39][40] Great Northern retained 21 sets to operate limited stop peak-time services between London King's Cross-Peterborough and London King's Cross-Royston.[41][42] The remaining sets were placed in store in Ely.[43][44]

During June 2018, ten sets were transferred to Abellio ScotRail to operate services from Edinburgh to Glasgow and Stirling.[45][46][47] The other nine moved from Ely to King's Heath TMD, Northampton for further storage before moving to Crewe in September 2018.[48][49]

In March 2021, it was announced that Great Northern would be withdrawing the remaining Class 365s from service in May 2021, in favour of Class 387s transferred from Gatwick Express.[50][51] The last day of service for the Class 365s on Great Northern was on 15 May 2021.[52][53]

ScotRail

[edit]
Abellio ScotRail Class 365 at Glasgow Queen Street in November 2018

In April 2018, ten Class 365s (509, 513, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 529, 533 and 537) were leased to Abellio ScotRail in response to a rolling stock shortage which was caused by the delayed entry to service of the new Class 385 EMUs and the imminent transfer of a number of DMUs to Arriva Rail North.[45][7] They entered service on 23 June 2018 on Glasgow to Edinburgh and Stirling services after modifications and driver training.[46][47][54]

In comparison with the three- and six-car DMUs previously used on the same routes by ScotRail, the eight-car Class 365 EMU sets provided an additional 17,200 seats per day, as well as having better acceleration and being cleaner.[7][55] ScotRail only used the type briefly, and all units were withdrawn during March 2019 after issues with the Class 385 were resolved. These units were relocated to Crewe where they were kept in warm store by Rail Operations Group.[56][57]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • 365526 – DMOC B and PTOSL were damaged in the Potters Bar rail accident in 2002.[58] After being stored at Crewe Works and later Wolverton Works until the Rail Accident Investigation Branch had completed its investigations, two carriages were used for target practice at RAF Spadeadam, while one was taken to Ilford EMU Depot for stripping of spare parts.[59][60]
  • 365531 – DMOC A was damaged in a fatal collision with a tractor at Black Horse Drove crossing in October 2005.[61]
  • 365532 – DMOC A was damaged in a collision with a tractor at Hatson's User-Worked Crossing in September 2011.[62]
  • 365512 – DMOC B was damaged in a fatal collision with a car at Pleasants crossing in July 2012.[63]
  • A Class 365 unit collided at low speed with another it was due to couple onto at Cambridge station on 30 May 2015. Three passengers sustained slight injuries.[64]
  • 365520 – DMOC B was damaged in a collision with a Land Rover at Nairns User-Worked Crossing in August 2016.[65]

Fleet details

[edit]
Units:
Class Status Qty. Year built Cars per unit Unit numbers Notes
365 Scrapped[66] 41 1994–95 4 365501–541 Three vehicles preserved: DMSO(A) 65917, TSO 72287 from 365524 and DMSO(B) 65974 from 365540.[67][68] Some vehicles from 365526 were sold to the UK Ministry of Defence and are used by the RAF for testing of explosives.[citation needed]
Illustration of a Great Northern Class 365 unit

Naming

[edit]

Some were named. 365505 and 365515 were named by Connex South Eastern, and were subsequently removed. Vinyl nameplates with a pink backing were applied to the driving vehicles, behind the cab doors, by First Capital Connect. Following a repaint into Great Northern colours most were removed, but several were reapplied in the same style but with a light blue backing.

First Capital Connect 365514 Captain George Vancouver.
  • 365505 – Spirit of Ramsgate[69]
  • 365506 – The Royston Express[70]
  • 365510 – Cambridge and Ely[71]
  • 365513 – Hornsey Depot[66]
  • 365514 – Captain George Vancouver
  • 365515 – Spirit of Dover[69]
  • 365517 – Supporting Red Balloon[72]
  • 365518 – The Fenman[73]
  • 365519 – Discover Peterborough[71] (Formerly Peterborough - Environment City[74])
  • 365521 – Steven
  • 365527 – Robert Stripe - Passengers' Champion[75]
  • 365530 – The Interlink Partnership
  • 365531 – Norfolk - Nelson's County[71] (Formerly Nelson's County - Norfolk[76])
  • 365533 – Max Appeal[77]
  • 365536 – Rufus Barnes – Chief Executive of London TravelWatch for 25 years[78]
  • 365537 – Daniel Edwards (1974–2010) Cambridge Driver[79]
  • 365540 – Garden Cities of Hertfordshire[71]

Preservation

[edit]

DMSO(A) 65917 and TSO 72287 from unit 365524 along with DMSO(B) 65974 from unit 365540 are to be put on static display at the East Kent Railway, where they will be used as a restaurant, an exhibition area, and a major events venue.[67][needs update?]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 365.
  1. ^ a b "Goodbye '365s': were they a good buy?". Rail. No. 953. 23 March 2022. pp. 55–57.
  2. ^ a b c Train Operating Manual: Classes 365, 465, 466. Harrogate: Connex South Eastern. January 1998.
  3. ^ a b c "GN gets to grips with exiled 365s". The Railway Magazine. No. 1240. August 2004. p. 66.
  4. ^ Clinnick, Richard (27 November 2015). "Atlas 200 ETCS to be fitted into GTR Class 365". Rail Magazine. No. 789. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  5. ^ System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 (PDF). London, UK: Rail Safety and Standards Board. 22 June 2011. p. 4. SD001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Class 365 Electric Multiple Unit" (PDF). Eversholt Rail Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Clinnick, Richard (24 October 2019). "FROM THE ARCHIVES: 'Happy Trains' are award-winning trains". Rail Magazine. No. 888. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Future Secured for ABB York". The Railway Magazine. No. 1112. December 1993. p. 8.
  9. ^ "Class 365: Networker Express". www.kentrail.org.uk. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  10. ^ "SREmG". sremg.org.uk. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  11. ^ Green, Chris; Vincent, Mike (2014). The Network SouthEast story. Shepperton, UK: Oxford Publishing Co. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-0-86093-653-4. OCLC 872707499.
  12. ^ a b Class 365 Drivers' Guide. p. 3. (General information & differences between 313’s, 315’s, 317’s & 365’s) First Capital Connect, 2009.
  13. ^ The Class 365 Drivers' Guide. First Capital Connect. 2009.
  14. ^ "25 Years of ROSCOs". Rail Express. No. October 2019. p. 20.
  15. ^ "Forty Class 365s now owned by Government". Rail Magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  16. ^ Clinnick, Richard (22 August 2019). "Forty Class 365s now owned by Government". Rail Magazine.
  17. ^ "DfT takes ownership of Class 365 fleet". Today's Railways UK. No. 214. October 2019. p. 69.
  18. ^ "Eversholt Rail regains Class 365 ownership". Railways Illustrated. No. September 2021. p. 13.
  19. ^ "ABB delivers first lease-financed Networker Express". Railway Gazette International. No. December 1994. p. 817.
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  28. ^ a b "Class 365s finish with SET". Entrain. No. 30 June 2004. p. 29.
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  32. ^ "Air-conditioned smile for WAGN's Networkers". Rail. No. 419. 3 October 2001. p. 12.
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  36. ^ "New-look train enters service on Great Northern route - Media centre …". archive.ph. 28 January 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
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  38. ^ "First Great Western plans AT300s to Cornwall". Railway Gazette International. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
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  62. ^ Collision between a train and a tractor, White House Farm User Worked Crossing 25 September 2011 (PDF), Rail Accident Investigation Branch, 29 March 2012, Wikidata Q111218148
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    Newsletter of the Fen Line Users Association     (PDF). Fen Line Users Association. November 2006. p. 1. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011.
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    Newsletter of the Fen Line Users Association     (PDF). Fen Line Users Association. February 2007. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 May 2011.
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