British Rail Class 365
The British Rail Class 365 Networker Express was a class of dual-voltage (25 kV 50 Hz AC and 750 V DC) electric multiple unit passenger train built by ABB at Holgate Road Carriage Works in 1994 and 1995.
| British Rail Class 365 Networker Express | |
|---|---|
Great Northern Class 365 at London King's Cross in July 2019 | |
Refurbished Great Northern standard-class saloon | |
| In service | 1996 – 15 May 2021 |
| Manufacturer | ABB Transportation |
| Built at | Holgate Road Works, York |
| Family name | Networker |
| Constructed | 1994–1995 |
| Refurbished | 2013–2016 at Bombardier Ilford |
| Scrapped | 2021–2022 |
| Number built | 41 |
| Number in service | 0 |
| Number preserved | 0 (3 vehicles only) |
| Number scrapped | 41 |
| Successor | |
| Formation |
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| Fleet numbers | 365501–365541 |
| Capacity | 263 seats (24 first-class, 239 standard) |
| Operators |
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| Depots |
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| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Train length | 81.9 m (268 ft 8 in) |
| Car length |
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| Width | 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 3.77 m (12 ft 4 in) |
| Maximum speed | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
| Weight |
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| Traction system | GEC Alsthom GTO-VVVF |
| Traction motors | 8 × 3-phase AC: p.A.6 GEC Alsthom G354CX |
| Power output | 1,256 kW (1,684 hp) |
| Acceleration | 0.67 m/s2 (2.2 ft/s2) |
| Electric system(s) |
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| Current collector(s) |
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| UIC classification | Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′ |
| Safety system(s) | |
| Coupling system | Tightlock |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| Sourced from unless otherwise noted. | |
The Class 365 was derived from the Class 465 EMU after the planned "Universal Networker" Classes 371 and 381 were not funded through to production. An initial prototype that better suited the operation of long-distance services was developed from an existing unit (designated as Class 465/3), as the new type was intended to operate services in South East England and on the Great Northern Route. The purchase of 41 Class 365s was authorised in late 1993; they would be the last trains to be built at the Holgate Road works prior to its closure. Due to the front end of refurbished units resembling a smiling face, the trains have been nicknamed "Happy Trains" by enthusiasts.
Deliveries began in 1994 under Network SouthEast and continued after operations transferred to the private sector; the final unit was delivered to West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN) in July 1998. Connex South Eastern received 16 units while West Anglia Great Northern received 25. During 2004, South Eastern Trains opted to transfer all of its sets to WAGN.
The Class 365 has been involved in several accidents, which has included fatalities; the most serious accident to date occurred at Potters Bar in 2002. In September 2014, all units were transferred with the Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise to Govia Thameslink Railway. In June 2018, ten sets were transferred to Abellio ScotRail to operate services from Edinburgh to Glasgow and Stirling. On 15 May 2021, Great Northern withdrew the last of its Class 365 sets. During July 2021, all of the Class 365s were acquired by Eversholt Rail Group; all but 3 vehicles have been scrapped. Newer types of rolling stock, such as the Class 385s and Class 387s, have typically been introduced to replace the type with various operators.