Selhurst Depot is meanwhile working on overhaul of Southern’s train fleet – including fixing squeaky chair-back tables
Trains on Thameslink, recently taken back into public ownership, are receiving a wash and brush-up as part of £3.6million refresh.
Thameslink trains run on the line from the south coast to Peterborough, Cambridge and Bedford, via Croydon and central London. The makeover is being carried out across the entire 115-train Class 700 fleet to “improve passenger experience on board”.
The fleet comprises 1,140 carriages, which are being polished “to a gleaming white finish”, while toilets are being repainted and interior wall vinyls are applied “to deter graffiti and make it easier to clean after any attack”.
The work on the Thameslink trains forms part of wider fleet refurbishment, in which 304 Southern Electrostar trains are being overhauled at Selhurst Depot. Trains on this programme undergo a full inspection before receiving a repaint, new seat upholstery and carpet, as well as fixing squeaky seat-back tables.
The rail operators, now known as Greater Thameslink Railway, say of the Thameslink overhaul: “Every area onboard is being deep steam-cleaned at the Sussex depot in Three Bridges.”
Vinyl work: new wall coverings should make the carriages easier to keep clean and keep free of grafitti
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “These improvements show how passengers are being prioritised under public ownership and, as we move towards Great British Railways, making sure that travelling by train is a comfortable and positive experience.
“This refresh on Thameslink services is just the start. Under public ownership passengers, not shareholders, will be prioritised to deliver a safer, cleaner and more reliable railway.”
The refresh is one of the improvements passengers are promised ahead of the formal establishment of Great British Railways by the end of 2027, including doubling the number of services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria every hour from December.
Other commitments are to:
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- Recruit more drivers to reduce delays: GTR’s ongoing train crew recruitment will deliver an additional 75 drivers across Thameslink and Great Northern this year as drivers complete their training, with an uplift of 40 drivers at Southern and Gatwick Express this year, too. “The increase in drivers will help improve train crew availability and reduce cancellations.”
- Create safer services: 110 Travel Safe Officers are being trained to support revenue protection, improve security and combat anti-social behaviour.
- Upgrade signalling to reduce cancellations: Secondary signalling system between Farringdon and Blackfriars are intended to reduce delays and boost resilience.
- Establish better customer communication: when there is disruption, passengers will be able to get support from staff directly via a WhatsApp channel. GTR is also adding more online payment options for customers.
The full programme of Thameslink train polishing is expected to be finished by the end of the year.
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