View source for British Rail Class 375

{{Short description|British electric multiple unit train}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox EMU
| background = #{{SE colour|background}}
| name = British Rail Class 375<br />''Electrostar''
| image = Southeastern 375 715.jpg
| caption = [[Southeastern (train operating company 2006–2021)|Southeastern (Govia)]] Class 375 leaving [[Ramsgate EMU Depot]]
| interiorimage = 375601 Standard Class Interior.jpg
| interiorcaption = The interior of a refurbished Class 375
| manufacturer = {{ubl|[[Adtranz]]|[[Bombardier Transportation]]}}
| factory = [[Derby Litchurch Lane Works]]
| yearconstruction = 1999–2005
| family = [[Bombardier Electrostar|Electrostar]]
| operator = [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]]
| formation = {{ubl|375/3: 3 cars per unit|Others: 4 cars per unit}}
| numberbuilt = 140
| numberservice = {{ubl|112|(28 converted to [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377/3]])}}
| service = 2000–present
| refurbishment = 2015–2018
| weight = {{convert|133.1|t|abbr=on|lk=on}} (375/3) <br>
{{convert|173.6|t|abbr=on}} (Others) {{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
| replaced = {{plainlist|
* {{brc|365}}
* {{brc|411}}
* {{brc|421}}
* {{brc|423}}
* {{brc|466}}
* {{brc|508}}
}}
| carlength = {{convert|20.39|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (end cars) <br>{{convert|19.98|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (middle cars)
| width = {{convert|2.80|m|ftin|abbr=on}} {{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
| height = {{convert|3.78|m|ftin|abbr=on}} {{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
| capacity = {{plainlist|
* 375/3: 176 seats
* 375/9: 273 seats
* Others: 236 seats
}}
| maxspeed = {{convert|100|mph|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}
| traction motors = 6–8 × {{convert|250|kW|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput = {{plainlist|
* 375/3: {{convert|1000|kW|abbr=on}}
* Others: {{convert|1500|kW|abbr=on}}
}} {{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
| acceleration = {{convert|0.62|m/s2|mph/s|abbr=on}}
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| notes = Sourced from <ref name="Eversholt"/> unless otherwise noted.
| electricsystem = {{plainlist|
* {{750 V DC|conductor=y}}
* {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[Overhead line|overhead]] (375/6 only)
}}
| collectionmethod = {{ubl|[[Contact shoe]] (DC)|[[Pantograph (transport)|Pantograph]] (AC) (375/6 only)}}
| coupling = {{ubl|[[Dellner]] 12<ref name="sd001">{{cite book |title=System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 |date=22 June 2011 |id=SD001 |publisher=Rail Safety and Standards Board |publication-place =London |page=4 |url=http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401203135/http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="375Dellner" /> |(Subclasses /3, /6, and /7 converted from [[Tightlock coupling|Tightlock]])}}
}}

The '''British Rail Class 375 ''Electrostar''''' is an [[electric multiple unit]] train that was built at [[Derby Litchurch Lane Works]], thirty units by [[Adtranz]] from 1999 to 2001, and 110 units by [[Bombardier Transportation]] (successors to Adtranz) from 2001 to 2004. The class form part of the [[Bombardier Electrostar|Electrostar]] family of units, which also includes classes [[British Rail Class 357|357]], [[British Rail Class 376|376]], [[British Rail Class 377|377]], [[British Rail Class 378|378]], [[British Rail Class 379|379]] and [[British Rail Class 387|387]], the most numerous type of EMU introduced since the [[privatisation of British Rail]].

These units form the basis of [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern's]] mainline fleet.

==Description==
[[File:375304 and 375 number 918 Rainham to Victoria 1P22 (16278137887).jpg|left|thumb|The exterior of a Class 375 prior to refurbishment]]
[[File:375701 First Class Interior.jpg|thumb|left|The interior of First Class prior to refurbishment]]
[[File:375701 Standard Class Interior.jpg|thumb|left|The interior of Standard Class prior to refurbishment]]

Introduced into service in 2000,<ref name="Eversholt">{{Cite web|title=CLASS 375|url=https://eversholtrail.co.uk/fleet/class-375/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421111319/https://eversholtrail.co.uk/fleet/class-375/|archive-date=2019-04-21|access-date=2021-08-05|website=eversholtrail.co.uk}}</ref> these trains are owned by [[Eversholt Rail Group]] (formerly HSBC Rail) and leased to [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]] for operation from London to Kent and parts of East Sussex.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Class 375|url=http://www.kentrail.org.uk/Class%20375%20&%20377.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403040430/http://www.kentrail.org.uk/Class%20375%20%26%20377.htm|archive-date=2012-04-03|website=www.kentrail.org.uk}}</ref>

The Class 375 is the principal train used by [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]], and replaced the slam-door [[British Rail Mark 1|Mark 1]] derived stock, which was more than 40 years old and did not meet modern health and safety requirements and replaced the 16 Class 365s which were transferred to WAGN in 2004. All units have been converted from [[Tightlock coupling|Tightlock]] to [[Dellner coupling|Dellner couplers]].<ref name="375Dellner">{{cite web|url=http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/features/data/stockdir.html|title=Southern Electrics Group|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202191903/http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/features/data/stockdir.html|archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref>

==Refurbishment==
{{Refimprove section|date=October 2024}}
[[File:Class 375 front cab view.jpg|alt=Front window view|thumb|upright|The cab view of a Class 375]]
In May 2015, unit 375301 was moved from Ramsgate Depot to Derby Litchurch Lane Works for a full refurbishment. On 16 May 2015, it was returned to the Kent depot wearing a new livery, similar to, but not based on the 'Highspeed' livery carried by the high speed [[British Rail Class 395|Class 395]] EMU, with a more vibrant shade of blue on the saloon doors and bolder stripes to highlight First Class and Disabled areas. Internally, the unit has received new carpets and lino flooring, new table top covers and the grab poles, side panels and table legs have been re-powder coated. The existing seat covers have been retained, but were dry cleaned to provide a brighter, cleaner interior. This work will also involve combining the two separate First Class sections on four car units into one section in the end of MOSL coach.  It is intended for all class 375 units to receive this refurbishment between 2015 and 2018. The original plan was for the first 50 units (375/3s, 375/6s and 375/7s) to be refurbished at Bombardier in Derby and then the remaining units would be transferred for refurbishment at Bombardier Ilford. This plan did not go ahead and the 375/8s and 375/9s were sent to Derby. On 19 September 2015 the last 375/3 unit no 375310 went to Derby for refurbishment. The following week on 26 September the first 375/6 went to Derby for refurbishment.<ref name=Refurbishment>{{cite web |url=http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/one-third-of-our-trains-start-midlife-refresh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531235922/http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/one-third-of-our-trains-start-midlife-refresh |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 May 2015 |title=One third of our trains start midlife refresh |publisher=Southeastern |date=20 May 2015 |access-date=19 June 2015  }}</ref> The final 375 to receive the refurbishment and gain the new blue Southeastern livery was 375 920, which was returned to Ramsgate depot on 28 April 2018.

==Accidents and incidents==
* On 8 November 2010, a passenger train operated by unit 375&nbsp;711 overran {{rws|Stonegate}} station, on the [[Hastings Line]] in [[East Sussex]], due to [[Slippery rail#Low adhesion caused by weather|low railhead adhesion in the leaf fall season]] and maintenance errors in respect of the train's sanding apparatus. The train continued to [[Wheel slide protection#Wheel slide whilst braking|slide]] beyond the station for {{convert|2|mi|36|ch|km|2}}. Following the incident, [[Southeastern (train operating company 2006–2021)|Southeastern]] reduced the interval that the sand hoppers were to be refilled from seven days to five days.<ref name="Stonegate">{{cite web |url=https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/547c8fe7e5274a428d000159/111117_R182011_Stonegate.pdf |title=Station overrun at Stonegate, East Sussex. |publisher=Rail Accident Investigation Branch |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=23 April 2010}}</ref>
* On 24 November 2014, the front carriage of unit 375 611 caught fire from faulty electrical insulation pots at {{rws|Charing Cross}} Platform 6. There were no injuries, though both the track and leading carriage required repairs, part of the rail being melted.<ref name=RailTechnologyMagazineCharingXFire>{{cite web |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/charring-cross-evacuated-after-fire-on-southeastern-train |title=Southeastern Train catches fire at Charing Cross Station |publisher=Rail Technology Magazine |access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref>
* On 26 July 2015, units 375 703 and 375 612 formed a train that collided with a herd of [[cattle]] on the line at [[Godmersham]], between {{rws|Wye}} and {{rws|Chilham}}, [[Kent]]. The leading carriage of 375 703 was derailed. There were no injuries amongst the 70 passengers and crew on board.<ref name=KO40716>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/train-derailed-after-hitting-cattle-40716/ |title=Southeastern Train travelling between Chilham and Wye derails after hitting cattle |publisher=Kent Messenger Group |work=Kent Online |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name=Godmersham>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/514390/R052016_160406_Godmersham.pdf |title=Derailment at Godmersham, Kent 26 July 2015 |publisher=[[Rail Accident Investigation Branch]] |access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref>
* On 5 January 2018, unit 375 815 hit a fallen tree near [[Herne Bay, Kent|Herne Bay]]. Though damage was sustained to the leading carriage, there were no injuries.
* On 24 October 2018, shortly before midnight unit 375 301 leading 375 906 hit a car abandoned on a level crossing between [[Teynham railway station|Teynham]] and [[Faversham railway station|Faversham]]. The car caught fire and the leading carriage of 375 301 sustained damage to its corridor, bogie and coupling.<ref name=KentOnline>{{cite web |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/faversham/news/photos-emerge-of-car-smashed-by-train-at-crossing-192152/ |title=Train hits car near Teynham. |publisher=KentOnline |date=25 October 2018 |access-date=25 October 2018}}</ref>

==Operations==
===Main lines===
Class 375s work the following main line routes:
* [[Charing Cross railway station|Charing Cross]] – [[Tunbridge Wells railway station|Tunbridge Wells]] and [[Hastings railway station|Hastings]] fast services
* [[Charing Cross railway station|Charing Cross]] – [[Dover Priory railway station|Dover Priory]] and [[Ramsgate railway station|Ramsgate]] via [[Ashford International railway station|Ashford International]].
* [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] – [[Ramsgate railway station|Ramsgate]] and [[Dover Priory railway station|Dover Priory]] via [[Chatham railway station, Medway|Chatham]]
* [[Cannon Street station|Cannon Street]] - [[Ramsgate railway station|Ramsgate]]/[[Broadstairs railway station|Broadstairs]] via [[Chatham railway station, Medway|Chatham]] (peak hours only)

===Outer suburban===
Class 375s also work the following outer suburban Southeastern routes interchangeably with [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377/5]] and Class 465/9 units:
* [[Charing Cross railway station|Charing Cross]] – [[Tunbridge Wells railway station|Tunbridge Wells]]
* [[London Victoria station|Victoria]]/ [[Charing Cross railway station|Charing Cross]] – [[Ashford International railway station|Ashford International]] and [[Maidstone East railway station|Maidstone East]],
* [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] - [[Dover Priory railway station|Dover Priory]] via [[Denmark Hill railway station|Denmark Hill]] and [[Gillingham (Kent) railway station|Gillingham (Kent)]]
* [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] - [[Canterbury East railway station|Canterbury East]]/ [[Faversham railway station|Faversham]] (Sundays only)

===Medway Valley Line===
Class 375/3 Electrostar units started operating services on the [[Medway Valley Line]] from May 2012 to January 2016, and then from September 2016 to the present day. Previously Class 466 Networkers were the regular units on this line with the occasional Class 465 Networker or 4-car 375 Electrostar being used as a substitute. The Networkers are no longer used on this route as the Class 466s are now non-compliant with the new PRM-TSI law and the volume of traffic cannot support Class 465s or 4-car Class 375s/377s Electrostars.
* [[Strood railway station|Strood]] – [[Maidstone West railway station|Maidstone West]]/[[Paddock Wood railway station|Paddock Wood]]/[[Tonbridge railway station|Tonbridge]]

===Sheerness line===
From December 2019, Class 375/3 units replaced [[British Rail Class 466|Class 466]] units on the [[Sheerness line]] due to the latter being non-compliant with the new PRM-TSI law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/new-trains-for-branch-line-218317/|title=Santa to ride new Sheppey trains this Saturday|last=Nurden|first=John|date=12 December 2019|work=KentOnline|publisher=KM Group|access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref>

==Fleet details==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Class
!align=left|Type
!align=left|Operator
!No. in traffic
!Year built
!Cars per unit
!Unit nos.
!align=left|Notes
|-
|'''375/3'''
|rowspan=5|Express & outer suburban
|rowspan=5|[[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]]
|align=center|10
|align=center|2001–2002
|align=center|3
|375301–375310
|Formed {{abbr|DMOC|Driver's cab, Motor car, Open saloon, Composite (first and standard class sections)}}-{{abbr|TOSL|Trailer car, Open saloon, Standard class, Lavatory}}-{{abbr|DMOS|Driver's cab, Motor car, Open saloon, Standard class}}.
Units 375311–375338 were transferred to Southern, converted from Tightlock to Dellner couplers, and renumbered 377301–377328.
|-
|'''375/6'''
|align=center|30
|align=center|1999–2001
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|4
|375601–375630
|Dual-voltage units.
Originally formed DMOC-{{abbr|PTOSL|Pantograph, Trailer car, Open saloon, Standard class, Lavatory}}-{{abbr|MOSL|Motor car, Open saloon, Standard class, Lavatory}}-DMOC.

Refurbished to DMOS-PTOSL-{{abbr|MOCL|Motor car, Open saloon, Composite (first and standard class sections), Lavatory}}-DMOS.
|-
|'''375/7'''
|align=center|15
|align=center|2001–2002
|375701–375715
| rowspan="2" |Originally formed DMOC-TOSL-MOSL-DMOC.
Refurbished to DMOS-TOSL-MOCL-DMOS.
|-
|'''375/8'''
|align=center|30
|align=center|2004–2005
|375801–375830
|-
|'''375/9'''
|align=center|27
|align=center|2003–2004
|375901–375927
|Refurbished to DMOC-TOSL-MOSL-DMOC with 3+2 seating in Standard class. First class was at both ends of the train prior to its removal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Class travel |url=https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/on-board/first-class-travel |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=southeasternrailway.co.uk |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729164222/https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/on-board/first-class-travel |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

===Illustrations===
{{Wide image|Southeastern Class 375-3 SE Refurb.png|x60px|Illustration of a Southeastern Class 375/3 unit}}
{{Wide image|Southeastern Class 375-6 SE Refurb.png|x60px|Illustration of a Southeastern Class 375/6 unit}}
{{Wide image|Southeastern Class 375-7-8 SE Refurb.png|x60px|Illustration of a Southeastern Class 375/7/8 unit}}
{{Wide image|Southeastern Class 375-9 SE Refurb.png|x60px|Illustration of a Southeastern Class 375/9 unit}}

==Named Units==
Some units have received names:
*375304 ''[[Medway Valley Line]] 1856-2006''<ref name="MLI"/>
*375608 ''[[Bromley]] Travelwise''<ref name="MLI"/>
*375610 ''[[Royal Tunbridge Wells]]''<ref name="MLI"/>
*375611 ''Dr [[William Harvey]]''<ref name="MLI"/>
*375619 ''Driver John Neve''<ref name="MLI"/>
*375623 ''Hospice in the Weald''<ref name="MLI"/>
*375624 ''[[White Cliffs of Dover|White Cliffs Country]]''<ref name="MLI"/>
*375701 ''[[Kent Air Ambulance|Kent Air Ambulance Explorer]]''<ref name="MLI"/>
*375703 ''Dickens Traveller''<ref name="MLI">{{cite magazine |title=Electrostar Fleet Lists|magazine=Modern Locomotives Illustrated |date=April 2012 |issue=194 |pages=88–95}}</ref>
*375710 ''[[Rochester Castle]]''<ref name="375RochesterNames">{{cite magazine |title=Class 375 namings register Rochesters' heritage |magazine=Rail |page=24 |issue=810 |date= 28 September 2016 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |issn=0953-4563 |oclc=49953699}}</ref>
*375714 ''[[Rochester Cathedral]]''<ref name="375RochesterNames"/>
*375823 ''Ashford Proudly served by rail for 175 years''<ref>{{cite news |title=Ashford International Station celebrates 175-year milestone |url=https://newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/ashford-international-station-celebrates-175-year-milestone |access-date=5 January 2025 |publisher=London & South Eastern Railway |date=7 December 2017 |location=Newcastle upon Tyne}}</ref>
*375829 ''[[Verena Holmes]] (1889–1964) Woman in Engineering''<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Stock Update |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1468 |date=July 2023 | page=87}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kent-born trailblazer Verena Holmes honoured with train naming on International Women in Engineering Day as Southeastern looks to boost number of women in engineering roles |url=https://newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/kent-born-trailblazer-verena-holmes-honoured-with-train-naming-on-international-women-in-engineering-day-as-southeastern-looks-to-boost-number-of-women-in-engineering-roles |access-date=5 January 2025 |publisher=London & South Eastern Railway |date=23 June 2023 |location=Newcastle upon Tyne}}</ref>
*375830 ''[[City of London]]''<ref name="MLI"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category|British Rail Class 375}}
* {{cite magazine|title=Connex increases 'Electrostar' EMU order by another 25 units|magazine=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]|issue=341|publisher=EMAP Apex Publications|date=7–20 October 1998|page=8|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}

{{Bombardier Turbostar, Electrostar and Alstom Aventra families}}
{{British Rail EMU}}

[[Category:Adtranz multiple units]]
[[Category:Bombardier Transportation multiple units]]
[[Category:British Rail electric multiple units|375]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 2000]]
[[Category:25 kV AC multiple units]]
[[Category:750 V DC multiple units]]