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

Class 450 Desiro

The Class 450 is part of the Desiro family of EMU and DC electric third rail units that otherwise are very similar to the AC overhead electric Class 350. One hundred and twenty seven sets were built for South West Trains replacing life expired "slam door" VEP and CIG stock [1]. Although they can only be used on third-rail routes they do have space for the retro-fitting of a pantograph if needed in the future. 

SWR 450 111 at Aldershot

Information
Number built:	508 (127 4-car sets)
Built:	2002-7
Builder:	Siemens Transportation
Motor:	4 1TB2016 0GB02 three-phase traction motors (750V DC third rail)
Power:	2, 682 hp (2, 000 kW)
Formation:	Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Trailer Composite Open (TCO)+Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)

The original fleet is known as the Class 450/0 and can carry 242 standard class and twenty four first class passengers, first and some standard class seating is 2+2 with other standard class seating being 2+3.

Twenty eight sets were modified for higher capacity (facilitated by removing first class seats and altering the internal layout) for the London Waterloo-Windsor route [2] in 2008-9 as Class 450/5. First class seating was restored to these units as they were replaced by Class 458/5s on the route from 2013 and the 450/5s rejoined the main fleet.



Originally SWT were to receive a mixed fleet of 450/0s and 450/2s, which were to be five car sets for inner suburban routes, however the idea was dropped due to problems with platform lengths and therefore all Class 450s are four car sets. All sets remain in service with South West Trains' successor South Western Railway who took over operations in the late Summer of 2017 [3]. 

450 015 at Worplesdon

450 055 at Bentley

450 003 at Bagshot

450 003 again, this time at Camberley

450 040 at Martins Heron

[1] John Balmforth, South West Trains (Ian Allan, 2011) p. 62
[2] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 349
[3] Modern Railways (May 2017) p. 24

Class 350 Desiro

The Class 350, part of the Siemens Desiro family of electric multiple unit, was built in three batches since 2004 and is operated by London Northwestern (LNWR). The Class 350 is the mainstay of LNWR intercity regional services. The Class 350 has also served, in the past, with London Midland, Central Trains, Silverlink, Southern and First TransPennine Express.

LNWR 350 265 arrives at Berkhamsted

Information
Number built:	348 (87 4-car train sets)
Built:	2004-14
Builder:	Siemens
Motor:	4 Siemens 1TB2016-0GB02 traction motors (25kV AC OHLE) (350/1) 750v DC third rail
Power:	2, 010 hp (1, 500 kW)
Formation:	Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Trailer Composite Open (TCO)+Pantograph Trailer Standard Open (PTSO)+DMSO

The Class 350 is capable of up to 110mp/h (except the 350/2) and collects its power from the 25kV AC overhead wires though some (350/1) can use the 750v DC third rail too. However, these days only operate as AC EMUs. They are part of the Desiro family which also includes the very similar Classes 185, 360, 444 and 450. Indeed the original batch of 350s was originally ordered as Class 450s [1].



London Northwestern Railway use the 350/1, 350/2 (which has high density seating), 350/4 and the more recently built 350/3 on services down the West Coast Main Line to London Euston as well as some local services in the West Midlands. Some are to be replaced by Class 730s.

LNWR 350 115 at Stafford

LNWR 350 406 at Tile Hill

LNWR 350 116 at Berkswell

Aboard a refurbished LNWR 350, with passenger information screens

LNWR 350 243 at Rugeley Trent Valley

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 270

Class 444 Desiro

The Class 444 (along with the very similar Class 450) was ordered for South West Trains to replace slam door stock on long-distance services running on the former Southern Region Western Section [1]. They can mostly be found on London Waterloo to Weymouth and Portsmouth services.

SWR 444 040 heads through Worplesdon

Information
Number built:	225 cars (45 5-car sets)
Built:	2003-04
Builder:	Siemens Transportation
Motor:	1TB2016-0GB02 traction motors (750v DC third rail)
Power:	2, 682 hp (2, 000 kW)
Formation:	Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+TSO+Trailer Standard Buffet (TSRMB)+ Driving Motor Composite Open (DMCO)

The Class 444 differs from the 450 in being a five car set and with a low-density seating arrangement [2] better suited for longer journeys. Like the Class 450, the 444s are equipped with a pantograph well and could be converted in future to 25kV AC overhead line electric collection though there are no plans for any such conversion.


Like most new types the 444s had a few teething problems when entering service but quickly became very reliable units and indeed received the Golden Spanner award for being Britain's most reliable trains in 2010 [3]. They are now operated by SWT's successor South Western Railway.

444 009 at Farncombe

444 005 at Milford

SWT 444 013 at Guildford

SWR 444 004 passes through Farnborough

SWT 444 003 at Clapham Junction

SWR 444 003 at Godalming

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 344
[2] John Balmforth, South West Trains (Ian Allan, 2011) p. 66
[3] Siemens Desiro Class 444 wins award as most reliable train <http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/78314/>

Class 700 Desiro City

The huge fleet of Class 700 EMU has being built for the upgrade of Thameslink. They have replaced a number of old (and not quite so old units) such as the Classes 317, 319 and 377. The Class 700 is designed for high reliability, rapid acceleration, short dwell time and an increase in capacity.

The Class 700 is a development of the Desiro which is already common on British rails (the Class 450 for example). As they operate on cross-London services (North-South) they are equipped for both 25kV AC OHLE and 750v DC third rail operation.

Thameslink 700 134 at Oxted

Information
Number built:	1140 (115 8 and 12 car units)
Built:	2016-19
Builder:	Siemens Transportation
Engine:	Siemens traction system (750v DC third rail / 25kV AC OHLE)
Formation:	(700/0) Driving Motor Composite Open (DMCO)+Pantograph Trailer Standard Open (PTSO)+Motor Standard Open (MSO)+ Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+TSO+MSO+PTSO+DMCO (700/1) DMCO+PTSO+MSO+MSO+TSO+TSO+TSO+TSO+MSO+ MSO+PTSO+DMCO

The Class 700 was originally planned to enter service in 2012 though was delayed - however mostly due to political and legal not technical reasons. The first train arrived in the UK in 2015 and entered service in the Summer of 2016 with Thameslink.



The Class 700 comes in two versions, the 700/0 is an eight car unit and the 700/1 a twelve car unit. There are sixty 700/0s and fifty-five 700/1s. 

The Class 717 is a similar unit built for Great Northern for the Northern City Line. The Class 707 is another member of the Desiro City family operated by Southeastern Railway.

700 003 at Bedford

700 003 again this time at St Pancras International

700 004 passes through Mitcham Junction

700 007 at Catford

700 024 at London Bridge

Class 707 Desiro City

Part of the Desiro City family like the Class 700, the Class 707 were built for services out of London Waterloo along the Windsor and Reading corridors [1].

SWR 707 014 at Clapham Junction

Information
Number built:	150 (30 5-car sets)
Built:	2015-17
Builder:	Siemens Transportation
Engine:	Siemens Traction System (750v DC third rail)
Power:	1, 600 hp (1, 200 kW)
Formation:	Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+TSO+TSO+DMSO

The fleet was ordered by South West Trains to increase capacity especially for peak-hour serices out of London Waterloo. The first 707s were delivered at the end of 2016 with an entry into service in the late Summer of 2017. Then events overtook them.

SWT's franchise was taken over by South Western Railway who decided that the 707s were unsuitable for their planned service improvements. SWR ordered Class 701 Aventra family EMUs instead [2]. The Class 707s will be replaced by 701s from 2019.

As yet the future of the 707s is undecided. In theory they could be scrapped though this is unlikely of course as they are virtually brand new and they will most likely be found somewhere else on the British network to operate. They were built as dual voltage EMUs though only a couple have been fitted with pantographs for testing on 25kV AC overhead lines, the rest have DC third rail shoes fitted only.

SWR 707 002 at Clapjam Junction

Aboard 707 005

SWR 707 023 at Woking

SWR 707 028 at Clapham Junction

SWR 707 026 at Virginia Water

[1] Colin J. Marsden, Rail Guide 2016 (Ian Allan, 2016) p. 123
[2] "South Western Railway: the masterplan and its challenges", Modern Railway (January 2018) p. 51

Class 185 Desiro

These diesel multiple units were built in the mid-2000s to modernise Trans-Pennine routes [1] and are among the latest DMUs running on the network. They are part of Siemens' "Desiro" family and are very similar in many ways to its Desiro EMU cousins like the Class 360.

TPE 185 148 at Manchester Piccadilly

Information
Number built:	103 (51 3-car sets)
Built:	2005-7
Builder:	Siemens Transportation
Motor:	Cummins OSK19 diesel per car
Power:	2, 250 hp (1, 680 kW)
Formation:	Driving Motor Composite Lavatory (DMCL)+Motor Standard Lavatory (MSL)+Driving Motor Standard (DMS)

The Class 185s are low-density stock designed for cross country routes with 2+2 seating arrangement in Standard and 2+1 in first. They are designed for high performance (100mp/h operation) with excess power to handle hilly routes.

All are currently operated by Trans Pennine Express though some have been loaned out to Northern in the past.

TPE 185 123 at York 

TPE 184 144 at Manchester Oxford Road

Unidentified TPE example at Darlington

185 121 in older First TPE livery at Liverpool Lime Street

TPE 185 120 approaches York

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 168

Class 717 Desiro City

The Class 717 is a member of the Desiro City family (along with the Class 700 and 707). It is being built to replace the Class 313 on the Northern City Line.

Great Northern 717 009 at Finsbury Park

Information
Number built:	150 (25 6-car sets)
Built:	2018-
Builder:	Siemens Mobility
Motor:	Siemens Traction System (25kV AC OHLE and 750v DC third-rail)
Power:	1, 600 hp (1, 200 kW)

As part of the Northern City Line runs in tunnels (with a terminus at Moorgate) the Class 717 has an emergency end door for evacuating passengers in a tunnel section otherwise the 717 is very similar to the Class 700 and are also dual AC/DC EMUs (DC third rail being used in the tunnel sections).

The Class 717 began testing in the Summer of 2018 and entered service in the Spring of 2019. All are operated by Great Northern.

717 009 arrives with a Moorgate bound service

Aboard 717 009

717 009 in a tunnel section at Highbury and Islington

Class 374 Eurostar e320

The Class 374 is the second-generation of unit used on Eurostar services. Eurostar began looking for new stock in the early 2000s as the existing Eurostar e300 Class 373 could be used on a wider range of European networks such as routes electrified using German 15kV AC and Dutch 1.5kV DC overhead wires [1]. The older Eurostar sets also could not be fitted with ERTMS signalling equipment. The Class 374 e320 (the 320 due to the fact it can travel at up to 320 kph) has supplemented around half of the 373 fleet.

Information
Number built:	272 (17 16-car sets)
Built:	2012-18
Builder:	Siemens
Engine:	Siemens traction equipment (25/15 kV AC / 1.5/3 kV DC OHLE)
Power:	10, 782 hp (8, 000 kW) AC 5, 632 hp (4, 200 kw) DC
Formation:	Driving Motor First Open (DMFO)+Trailer Brake First Open (TBFO)+ Motor First Open (MFO)+Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+TSO+MSO+ TSO+Motor Standard Open Restaurant Brake (MSORB) [x2]

The Class 374 consists of eight car half-sets which operate in pairs with the two driving cars at either end. The Class 374 is part of Siemens Velaro high speed train family though with the traction equipment distributed throughout the train for safety whilst travelling in the Channel Tunnel (this has also allowed the 374 to have a greater passenger carrying capacity than the 373). This safety requirement was key to Alstom when they challenged Eurostar awarding Siemens the contract saying the Velaro broke Channel Tunnel safety rules. However the European Commission rejected this argument and Alstom dropped their legal action.

The original order was for ten sets though an extra seven sets was ordered later on. The Class 374 entered service in 2015, the first of the new extended routes through to Amsterdam was launched in April 2018 [2].

Class 374 left and 373 right at St Pancras International

374 016 at St Pancras International

Two 374s at St Pancras International

[1] Colin J Marsden (ed.), "Siemens Class 374 (e320) Stock", Modern Locomotives Illustrated No. 227 October-November 2017 (Eurostar Stock) p. 72
[2] "Eurostar to Amsterdam in April", Modern Railways (March 2018) p. 12