British Rail Class 379

British Rail Class 379 "Electrostar"
379001 arrives at Norwich on test
In service	17 March 2011 -
Manufacturer	Bombardier Transportation
Family name	Electrostar
Constructed	2010 - 2011
Number built	30 trainsets
Formation	4 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	379001 - 379030
Operator	National Express East Anglia (Stansted Express)
Line(s) served	Stansted Express (West Anglia Main Line)
Specifications
Maximum speed	100 mph (161 km/h)[1]
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge

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).^[2][3] The trains will also be used on services between London Liverpool Street, Cambridge and Kings Lynn^[4]. 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.^[5]

Description

The trains are part of Bombardier Transportation's Electrostar family and are owned by Lloyds TSB.^[2] They are being built at Bombardier's Derby plant, where the first unit was unveiled on 13 October 2010.^[6] 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.^[7] They are maintained by Bombardier at Ilford.^[2] 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.^[1] 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.^[5] Multi-lingual signage will be expected. The trains have regenerative braking,^[6] and use Bombardier's Orbita predictive fault monitoring system.^[1] Some features are taken from the upcoming Aventra.^[6] 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.^[5]

Workings

The first two units, 379005 and 379006, entered service on 17 March 2011; 379005 was named Stansted Express at a ceremony at London Liverpool Street.^[7] 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 will 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 Stansted Airport 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 see the introduction of 12 car trains on some peak workings to/from Cambridge.^[8]

Gallery

• 

  379 014,004 and 013 stand side by side at Litchurch Lane depot

• 

  an unbranded 379 007 passes through on test run

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

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Stansted Airport trains under construction". London. 21 July 2010. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/stansted-airport-trains-under-construction/browse/1.html. Retrieved 2010-07-23. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Bombardier signs Stansted airport train order". Railway Gazette International (London). 2 April 2009. http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/bombardier-signs-stansted-airport-train-order/browse/1.html. Retrieved 2010-08-09. 
3. ^ Today's Railways issue 91
4. ^ Rail Magazine 673 Page 37. June 29 - July 12 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Class 379 set to woo Stansted passengers". Modern Railways (London): pp. 56–60. December 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} "First new Stansted Express train rolls out". Railway Gazette International (London). 14 October 2010. http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/first-new-stansted-express-train-rolls-out.html. 
7. ^ ^{a b} "National Express launches Class 379s on Stansted Express service". Railway Herald (Scunthorpe) (260): p. 3. 21 March 2011. http://www.rharchive.info/Issue260.pdf. Retrieved 2011-05-08. 
8. ^ http://www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com/dec11

External links

Media related to British Rail Class 379 at Wikimedia Commons