Southeastern has begun a comprehensive mid-life refurbishment of its 36-strong Class 376 Electrostar fleet, placing the first upgraded unit, 376027, into revenue service on Metro routes in south-east London. The programme, delivered in partnership with Alstom and Eversholt Rail, forms part of the operator’s wider rolling-stock enhancement strategy and follows last year’s completion of the Class 375 upgrade.
The inaugural unit showcases:
- A full exterior wrap in Southeastern’s new blue colourway
- Bright, energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the passenger saloons
These measures aim to reduce energy consumption and modernise the train’s appearance, setting a visual standard for the remainder of the fleet.
Later project phases—scheduled for completion by December 2025—will introduce:
- Refurbished seats with new moquette
- At-seat power and USB outlets to support personal electronic devices
Interior work will be undertaken at the Grove Park Centre of Excellence, while exterior and lighting upgrades continue at Gillingham Maintenance Centre. Trains will re-enter service progressively to minimise disruption to peak-period capacity.
Part of a £27 Million Modernisation Portfolio
The Class 376 refresh complements several concurrent projects:
- £27 million overhaul of the 29-strong Class 395 “Javelin” high-speed fleet
- Transfer of 13 newer Class 377 Electrostars from Govia Thameslink Railway
- Design activity to retrofit toilets to 30 Class 707 “City Beam” EMUs
- Ongoing procurement to replace life-expired Networker stock
Mark Johnson, Southeastern Engineering Director, highlighted customer benefits: “The bright, clean exterior and new lighting are the first visible steps. Full upgrades, including power points and refreshed seating, will follow by year-end.”
Peter Broadley, Commercial Director UK & Ireland at Alstom, confirmed the company’s role in supplying materials and engineering expertise, while Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail, emphasised the positive impact on passenger experience as further units roll out.
Outlook
With the prototype unit now in traffic, Southeastern plans to accelerate conversion of the remaining Class 376s during 2025, ensuring Metro passengers experience consistent standards across the network.
