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Recent History
Built in: York
Constructed between: 1994-1995
Entered public service from: 1996-2021 (25 years)
Stock replaced: N/A
Constructed between: 1994-1995
Entered public service from: 1996-2021 (25 years)
Stock replaced: N/A
Replaced by: Class 387
Manufacturer: ABB
Maximum speed: 100mph
Lines served: Connex Southeastern, Network Southeast, WAGN, First Capital Connect and Great Northern (part of GTR)
Last refurbishment: 2013-16
Total built: 41
Manufacturer: ABB
Maximum speed: 100mph
Lines served: Connex Southeastern, Network Southeast, WAGN, First Capital Connect and Great Northern (part of GTR)
Last refurbishment: 2013-16
Total built: 41
Capacity: 239 seats
Formed of: 4 coaches
Type: Stopping, Semi-fast and fast services
Formed of: 4 coaches
Type: Stopping, Semi-fast and fast services
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| 365319 seen in Cambridge on a service to Kings Cross under Network Southeast. Photo taken by Ryan Taylor |
The Class 365 was made between 1994-1995, being built at Holgate Road carriage works in York. These were the last trains to be constructed until it closed down. Quite something isn't it? They are part of the Networker family of trains with the manufacturer being ABB. Over 41 units were built with one being scrapped after the Potters Bar rail crash in 2002. Maximum speed of 100mph these trains contain a total capacity of 239 seats.
In 1996, 16 entered service under Connex South Eastern which were on loan from West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN). This was short-lived as they were replaced in 2004 by Class 375 Electrostars. Upon transfer to NSE went under a repaint to Network Southeast livery, pantographs at the top was being fitted and also a change to the front of the train in able to give air conditioning to the driver - hence the
nickname "Happy Train" because it smiles right back at you. What a genius. In 2006, all 40 365s went to First Capital Connect and was repainted to their colours. By 2014 a brand new company called Govia Thameslink Railway took over to become part of Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern. The trains were renamed to Great Northern being under that company since then.
nickname "Happy Train" because it smiles right back at you. What a genius. In 2006, all 40 365s went to First Capital Connect and was repainted to their colours. By 2014 a brand new company called Govia Thameslink Railway took over to become part of Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern. The trains were renamed to Great Northern being under that company since then.
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| Class 365 refurbished interior under Great Northern. Photo taken by Hugh Llewelyn |
Anyways, 2014-16 was good news as the 365s went under heavy refurbishment and another repaint. This included: seat covers, new flooring, grab handles, wheelchair bays and a passenger information system (as well as station announcements for the next stop). These all being complete at Bombardier Ilford depot. With a lot of people using the route daily, it had to be done ensuring that it met with disability regulations. A nice refurbishment in my opinion. One of the disadvantages compared to the Class 387s, is that it didn't contain any plug sockets or a good-sized table. Still at least the seats had more padding unlike some trains. Yes Class 700 I am looking at you. In 2018, Scotrail had to borrow some 365s while modifications had to be made the 385s - this lasted months. We are talking about... 8-9 months? Yeah. Since August 2019 the Government owned 40 365s, though 21 were actually in service while 19 were being stored.
Services
Serving on the East Coast Main Line, the trains operated services from London Kings Cross to destinations such as Cambridge, Kings Lynn and Peterborough. These would be stopping services from Finsbury Park and other stations within London such as Alexandra Palace, Harringay and Hornsey. In 2017 Class 387s/700s had started to arrive so in May 2018, as part of the new timetable Govia Thameslink Railway introduced, they were moved to peak-hour services so as a result they could not call at stations inside London (except for Finsbury Park). As a result the 387s replaced the 365s which previously used to do Kings Lynn workings, meanwhile the 365s went strong on the rush hour services being in force on weekdays. I will list the services they operated here;
Off peak/peak time services before the May 2018 timetable came into play
London Kings Cross - Kings Lynn (before the May 2018 timetable change)
London Kings Cross - Cambridge (Stopping/Semifast) (before the May 2018 timetable change)
Off peak time services since the May 2018 timetable came into play
London Kings Cross - Peterborough (Semifast)
London Kings Cross - Ely (Semifast)
London Kings Cross - Cambridge* (Semifast /Fast)
*There was this one time in January 2019 where a 4-car Class 365 stopped at Welwyn Garden City, on a Cambridge service which was pretty rare at the time since they don't usually stop there.
Peak time services since the May 2018 timetable came into play
Peterborough - London Kings Cross (Semifast)
Baldock - London Kings Cross (Semifast)
Royston - London Kings Cross (Semifast)
[I realised this is a long post but hopefully you don't mind right? Cool.]
Even after the December 2018 timetable change, Ely and Cambridge still got some semi-fast trains (during Saturdays I believe) which is pretty good going. In late 2019, another timetable change brought an end to services stopping at Finsbury Park meaning that journeys from Kings Cross could not be done by Oyster. This did however continue into 2021 for some services during the morning and evening. Forgot to mention, most of the services were operated by 8-car though some services during rush-hour managed 12-car since it was the peak. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the Networkers was still in daily use but in March 2021, GTR announced they would be retiring them in May 2021 due to a reduction in passenger usage which is understandable. These are to be replaced by Class 387s from Gatwick Express. The only service remaining at that point was the London Kings Cross-Peterborough service which managed to not call at Finsbury Park or St Neots in May 2021, meaning the first stop was Biggleswade. The Networkers during this time was at single digits as their appearances managed to decrease.
The last services on Saturday 15th May 2021 for the Networkers was 08:11 and 09:10 from Peterborough to Kings Cross.
25 years of hard work on the East Coast Main Line. Whatever happens next for these units I am glad to have taken a ride on one when they worked during First Capital Connect times. They will be a missed sight on the ECML but nothing lasts forever as they say.
I quite enjoyed writing this post so thanks alot for reading. :) It's a long one but thanks for sticking around.
Take care, stay safe and happy riding! :)
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| 365535 seen passing Hatfield station. Photo taken by Can Pac Swire |
