British Rail Class 379
Encyclopedia
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 (NXEA). The trains will also be used on services between , and . The fleet was ordered as part of the NXEA Service Improvement Plan designed to expand capacity on the heavily crowded lines into London Liverpool Street.
family and are owned by Lloyds TSB. They are being built at Bombardier's
Derby plant
, where the first unit was unveiled on 13 October 2010. After going to the Velim railway test circuit in the Czech Republic during November 2010, the first train returned to the UK in December for further testing along with other members of the class as they are built. A phased introduction into passenger service began in March 2011. They are maintained by Bombardier at Ilford. They work alongside the Class 317s.
. Interior lighting is supplied by Teknoware and includes state-of-the-art emergency lighting to fulfil GM/RT 2130 requirements. CCTV cameras on the roof monitor the pantograph arm.
Stansted Express
Stansted Express is a sub-brand of National Express East Anglia. It is the direct train service linking central London to Stansted Airport, one of London's major air hubs...
services operated by National Express East Anglia (NXEA). The trains will also be used on services between , and . The fleet was ordered as part of the NXEA Service Improvement Plan designed to expand capacity on the heavily crowded lines into London Liverpool Street.
Description
The trains are part of Bombardier Transportation's ElectrostarElectrostar
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 and are owned by Lloyds TSB. They are being built at Bombardier's
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....
Derby plant
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...
, where the first unit was unveiled on 13 October 2010. After going to the Velim railway test circuit in the Czech Republic during November 2010, the first train returned to the UK in December for further testing along with other members of the class as they are built. A phased introduction into passenger service began in March 2011. They are maintained by Bombardier at Ilford. They work alongside the Class 317s.
Features and fitted equipment
The Class 379 units will feature 2+2 seating in standard class and 2+1 seating in first class. Large luggage racks are provided as befits an airport service. Wi-fi is supplied by Icomera of Sweden, not only for passenger internet use but also for linking the train's reservation, CCTV, passenger information and monitoring systems to the control room. Multi-lingual signage will be expected. The trains have regenerative braking, and use Bombardier's Orbita predictive fault monitoring system. Some features are taken from the upcoming AventraAventra
The Aventra is a new family of EMUs designed by Bombardier as a successor to the Electrostar EMUs.-Description:The multiple units have been designed to be lighter, more efficient, and have increased reliability. They have lightweight all-welded bodies, wide gangways and doors to shorten boarding...
. Interior lighting is supplied by Teknoware and includes state-of-the-art emergency lighting to fulfil GM/RT 2130 requirements. CCTV cameras on the roof monitor the pantograph arm.
Workings
The first two units, 379005 and 379006, entered service on 17 March 2011; 379005 was named Stansted Express at a ceremony at . A further 18 units were to enter service in May 2011, on Stansted Express workings. They will work in a mixture of 12- and 8-car lengths. The remaining 10 were to begin entering service in summer 2011 on Cambridge services, with some possible 12-car workings. The Class 379 made its maiden passenger runs on 3 March 2011 when it worked the 20:10 from London Liverpool Street to and the 21:15 return service. All units have been delivered and the Stansted Airport workings are now entirely worked by 8-car Class 379s. All units have now entered service as of mid-August 2011, two months ahead of schedule. A major timetable update in December 2011 will entail the introduction of 12-car trains on some peak workings to/from Cambridge.Fleet details
| Class | Operator | No. Built | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 379 | National Express East Anglia | 30 | 2010–2011 | 4 | 379001 - 379030 |