Class 360 Desiro

The Class 360 is part of the Desiro family of electric multiple units though unlike their Desiro cousins such as the Class 450 they do not have end unit gangways (though some test units were built with these, later removed [1]). The main batch of these EMUs, the Class 360/1, was built to replace the Class 312 on services out of London Liverpool Street to Clacton-on-Sea, Ipswich and Colchester originally for First Great Eastern but later operated by Greater Anglia.

EMR 360 103 at Corby



Information
Number built: 109 (25 4 or 5 car sets)
Built: 2002-05
Builder: Siemens
Engine: 1TB2016-0GB02 three-phase traction motors (25kV AC OHLE)
Power: 1, 341 hp (1, 000 kW)
Formation: 360/1: Driving Motor Composite Open (DMCO)
+Pantograph Trailer Standard Open (PTSO)+
Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+DMCO
360/2: Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)
+PTSO+TSO+TSO+DMSO

Another batch (360/2) of 5-car sets was operated by Heathrow Connect on London Paddington - Heathrow stopping services. One was also operated by Heathrow Express on the Heathrow Central -Terminal 4 shuttle. These Heathrow Express units were replaced by the Class 345 in 2020. Greater Anglia's units were replaced by Class 720s around the same time.

The majority (the 360/1 fleet of 21 sets) of the fleet is now operated by East Midlands Railway on the newly electrified Midland Main Line route to Corby. Three other sets are to be used for infrastructure test and development purposes. Two have been scrapped.
Back in Heathrow Express days, 360 205 at Old Oak Common, this unit has been scrapped

360 103 at Kettering

Another view of 360 103

Aboard an EMR 360

360 104 at Corby



[1] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 275