- British Rail Class 365
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British Rail Class 365 Networker 
A Class 365 shortly after leaving Cambridge
The standard class interior of a refreshed First Capital Connect Class 365In service 1995 - Current Manufacturer ABB York Family name Networker Constructed 1994 - 1995 Refurbishment 2007 - ? (Hornsey Depot)
Whole fleet re-liveried from NSE to First Capital Connect in 2006 - 2007Number built 41 trainsets Number in service 40 trainsets Formation 4 cars per trainset Fleet numbers 365501 - 365541 Capacity 242 seats Operator First Capital Connect Specifications Car length 20.89 m (DMOC) Width 2.81 m Height ? Maximum speed 100 mph (161 km/h) Weight 151.62 t (149.23 long tons; 167.13 short tons) Power output 1,256 kW (1,684 hp) Electric system(s) 25 kV AC Overhead Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) The British Rail Class 365 "Networker Express" are dual-voltage 25 kV AC and 750 V DC) electric multiple units built by ABB at York from 1994 to 1995. These were the last units to be built at the York factory before it closed. All Class 365 units in service have received front-end cab modifications to equip them with cab air conditioning, which was installed by WAGN and the design of which has given them the nickname "Happy Train".[1]
Contents
History
Class 365 with original front end
In the early 1990s the Networker family was entering large-scale service in the Network SouthEast sector - both third-rail EMUs (Class 465/466) and DMUs (Class 165/166) were in service, with proposals for others, including a so-called "Universal Networker", intended as Class 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 for the purchase of 41 dual-voltage EMUs, each of four cars. These became the Class 365.[2][3][4]
Description
Although specified as a dual voltage unit, Class 365s have never operated with this capability since they were built with only one system of traction current pick up. Units 365501 to 365516 which went to Connex South Eastern, were originally supplied only with DC shoe gear for use on the 750 volt third rail system[5] (with the exception of unit 365502 which ran briefly on the AC network during testing and commissioning and was the main reason for this unit being chosen as the one sub leased from Connex South Eastern to WAGN to bolster unit availability in the aftermath of the Potters Bar Crash in 2002). In this configuration the maximum speed was 90 mph (145 km/h).[6]
When they transferred to West Anglia Great Northern for use with 25 kV 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 Limited at their Doncaster Works, shortly before the works were closed.
However the 365s retain the original 750 volt DC bus, meaning that when on 25 kV overhead lines the current is collected as AC, rectified to DC for the onboard systems, and then inverted back to AC for the 3-phase traction motors. For running on overhead lines the maximum speed was raised to 100 mph (161 km/h).
Basic equipment consists of;
- DMOC A - 4x 3-phase AC traction motors, traction inverter, sander
- TOSL - Compressor, auxiliary converter, disabled toilet
- PTOSL - Pantograph, transformer, auxiliary converter, small toilet
- DMOC B - 4x 3-phase AC traction motors, traction invertor, sander
Dynamic (rheostatic) braking on the two Driving Motor coaches is available in addition to disc brakes, via a system of brake blending.
In common with the whole Networker fleet, Wheel Slide Protection (WSP) operates on every axle. Under braking conditions a blowdown valve releases air from the brake cylinder of any axle if the rotational speed varies significantly from the average axle speed on the train.
Internal LED Passenger Information Display Systems (PIDS) and Auto-Announcers are fitted across the entire fleet.
Current operations
First Capital Connect
Class 365, No. 365530 arriving at Cambridge on 15 May 2004, with a service from King's Lynn. This unit is operated by First Capital Connect and has a modified front end with cab air conditioning. It is shown still painted in obsolete Network SouthEast livery.First Capital Connect, who took over the service formerly operated by WAGN from 1 April 2006 as part of the amalgamated Thameslink/Great Northern franchise, use Class 365s on outer-suburban services from King's Cross. These services are shared with Class 317 and Class 321 units, although 365s are seen more frequently. Services generally fall into two categories:
- King's Cross to Peterborough
- King's Cross to Cambridge and on to King's Lynn
These services usually stop more frequently than the East Coast expresses with which they share the southern section of the East Coast Main Line, although there are exceptions, notably the non-stop services to Cambridge (many of which go on to King's Lynn), which are operated almost solely by Class 365 units.
All 40 units in service have received an interior refresh by FCC. This involved retrimming the carpet, dado panels and seat moquette and the two toilets were repainted. Externally these units are all in FCC livery, with the exception of four units carrying WAGN's special advertising liveries.
Former operations
South Eastern Trains
The first 16 sets were fitted for use on the 750V DC lines and were operated as part of the South Eastern franchise, first by Connex South Eastern, then by South Eastern Trains.[2][3] All of the South Eastern Trains units were transferred to WAGN in 2004. First Capital Connect now has all the Class 365 units.
Incidents
- 365526 - Trailing DMOC and PTOSL were damaged in the Potters Bar rail crash in 2002.[7] Three coaches are in store at Crewe Works. The DMOC was written off as it was deemed to be beyond economical repair whilst the PTOSL, which sustained damage to the drag box and sole bar, was deemed to be repairable if needed. The 3 vehicles were bought from the insurance company, Lloyds, by HSBC Rail (UK) Ltd, the leasing agents of the Class 365s at that time, as a source of spare bodyshells and parts.
- 365531 - Leading DMOC was damaged in a fatal collision with a tractor at Black Horse Drove crossing in October 2005.[8]
- 365532 - Leading DMOC was damaged in a collision with a tractor at Hatson's User Worked Crossing in September 2011[9]
Fleet details
Class No. Built Cars per set Year Built Operator No. in Traffic Unit nos. Comments Class 365 41 4 1994-1995 First Capital Connect 40 365501-365525
365527-365541365526 stored out of use after Potters Bar rail incident. Naming
Eight sets have now been named:
- 365 506 - "The Royston Express"[10]
- 365 513 - "Hornsey Depot"
- 365 514 - "Captain George Vancouver"
- 365 518 - "The Fenman"
- 365 527 - "Robert Stripe - Passengers' Champion"
- 365 530 - "The Interlink Partnership"
- 365 536 - "Rufus Barnes - Chief Executive of London Travelwatch for 25 years"
- 365 537 - "Daniel Edwards - Cambridge Driver 1974-2010"
Special liveries
Four units carry advertising vinyls for places along the Great Northern route.
- 365510 - Cambridge and Ely
- 365519 - Discover Peterborough
- 365531 - Norfolk-Nelson's County
- 365540 - Garden Cities of Hertfordshire
Gallery
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In its original Network SouthEast livery (but with First Capital Connect branding) is Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ No. 365515 and is seen at Welwyn Garden City, with a southbound service
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The original interior of the First Class cabin aboard the Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ EMU
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The original interior of Standard Class saloon aboard the Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ EMU
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Another view of 365515 departing Welwyn Garden City, with a northbound service
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The first Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ EMU to receive an interior refresh was 365507 and is seen departing Peterborough with a southbound service
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The refreshed interior of the First Class cabin aboard the Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ EMU
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The refreshed interior of Standard Class saloon aboard a former South Eastern Trains set, now First Capital Connect Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ EMU
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First Capital Connect refreshed Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ EMU No. 365508 at Welwyn Garden City, with a southbound service
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A pair of refreshed Class 365 ‘Networker Expresses’ arrive at Stevenage, with 365530 leading
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A pair of refreshed Class 365 ‘Networker Expresses’ call at Stevenage, with 3655537 at the rear
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The unique ‘Discover Peterborough’ advertising liveried Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ EMU No. 365519 calls at Welwyn Garden City, with a southbound service
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The unique ‘Garden Cities of Hertfordshire’ advertising liveried Class 365 ‘Networker Express’ EMU No. 365540 calls at Welwyn Garden City, with a southbound service
References
- ^ Reed, Brian (2007). Traction Recognition. unknown: Ian Allen. ISBN 9-780711-032774.
- ^ a b Class 365 Networker Express - Kent Rail
- ^ a b Class 365 Networker Express - Welcome to the Southern E-Group Web Site. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
- ^ Class 365 Networker Express - TheRailwayCentre.Com. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
- ^ Connex South Eastern: Train Operating Manual Classes 365,465,466. p.A.9 (Class 365 Unit Formation) Jan 1998. Retrieved 2011-02-14
- ^ Connex South Eastern: Train Operating Manual Classes 365,465,466. p.A.6 (Unit information) Jan 1998. Retrieved 2011-02-14
- ^ Office of Rail Regulation - ORR: Accident & Incident Investigation - Potters Bar. Retrieved 2011-02-13
- ^ Black Horse Drove - RAIB Accident Report. Retrieved 2011-02-11
- ^ Hatson's Crossing - RAIB Preliminary Accident Report. Retrieved 2011-10-16
- ^ Ewan Foskett. Train named for town at special ceremony Royston Crow, 2011.
Networker family Prototype: Diesel: Electric: Proposed: Categories:- British Rail electric multiple units
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